Losses Aren’t Dragging Players Down

There’s no doubt that USC has made tremendous strides of late in a rebuilding season.

But the fact remains that the Trojans have lost four of their last five games and their goal of getting to the NCAA tournament for a school-record third season in a row is in serious jeopardy.

Which begs the question -- how long will the Trojans’ sterling efforts continue if the exasperating losses keep piling up?

Coach Henry Bibby thinks that his young team, which starts four sophomores and a junior, is mature enough to handle things in the Pacific 10 Conference.

“They’re not discouraged,” Bibby said. “Those guys are hanging tough. No one expected them really to win the Pac-10 this year, but they’re playing their hearts out to win it and they should get a share of it. But sometimes it’s not ... that way.”

Said sophomore guard Errick Craven: “We’re not getting the fruits of our labor. We’re working hard, but we’re losing. We should be beating all these teams.”

At 7-8 overall and 3-4 in the Pac-10, USC has been in every game but two, blowout losses at UC Santa Barbara, 69-53, and to Pennsylvania at the Forum, 99-61.

And counting this weekend’s series against Oregon State and No. 22 Oregon, USC plays seven of its final 11 league games at home.

“It’s a big [test] for us,” sophomore power forward Nick Curtis said. “We’re always going to play hard, but we’re just not getting the results. I think they’ll come around.”

Curtis worked out lightly Wednesday after sitting out the previous two days with a sore right heel.

“I think I’m going to play,” said Curtis, the Trojans’ leading rebounder with an 8.3 average in Pac-10 play.

The decision will be made at game time and ultimately is up to Bibby and athletic trainer Mark Pocinich, Curtis said.

If Curtis cannot go, expect junior forward Jerry Dupree, junior center Jonathan Oliver and senior center Kostas Charissis to pick up minutes.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Oregon State, 7:30

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- KMPC (1540), KPLS (830).

Records -- USC 7-8 overall, 3-4 in Pacific 10; Oregon State 9-7, 2-5.

Update -- In conference games, Oregon State senior forward Philip Ricci is averaging a league-leading 9.4 rebounds. Oregon State is looking to win three consecutive Pac-10 games for the first time in four years.