Bibby Penalty Possible

A reprimand may be on its way to Coach Henry Bibby’s office today after Pacific 10 Conference Commissioner Tom Hansen reviews the USC basketball coach’s weekend comments criticizing the league’s officials.

“I just got into my office this afternoon and I have a stack of papers on my desk with the comments in them that I need to go through,” Hansen said Monday from the Pac-10’s Walnut Creek headquarters.

“And I intend to do that as quickly as possible,” he added. “If something needs to be done, then there are several options -- private reprimands, public reprimands or additional, stronger action -- reacting to what was said” by Bibby.

Bibby wondered aloud whether the officiating was fair after USC’s 80-72 loss at Stanford on Saturday, a game in which the Trojans were called for twice as many fouls as the Cardinal, 28-14, and the home team shot 34 free throws in contrast to USC’s 12.

“It’s just that SC doesn’t get any respect, that we’re not supposed to win here,” Bibby said at the time, adding that the officials “don’t care.” “They just call the game and they get out of here. I’m not saying we never foul, but do we foul that much more than [opposing teams] do?”

Bibby also was incensed when California was awarded nine free throws in the final six-plus minutes of the Golden Bears’ 73-68 victory Thursday. The Trojans had one in the same span.

“There are some things that are supposed to be points of emphasis that are not being emphasized, OK?” he said.

Monday, Bibby softened his stance ... somewhat.

“I’m done with that,” he said. “It falls on deaf ears. I’m over that, and it’s done, so let the pieces fall where they may.”

The stack of reprimands Bibby has already received from the league over the years is probably as thick as the stack of papers on Hansen’s desk.

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Sophomore power forward Nick Curtis, who recently has been slowed by a sore left foot and tender right heel, sat out practice Monday, and the Trojans’ leading rebounder (7.8) is questionable to play against Oregon State on Thursday at the Sports Arena.

“I want to keep him back,” Bibby said. “I don’t know if he’s getting any better playing that way.”

Curtis insisted he would be ready for the Beavers.

“What can I do? I can’t wait,” Curtis said. “The season’s here. I have to play through it. But it’s not [hurting] just playing; it’s walking.”