USC Stands Tall in 81-74 Victory

Their coach was fired four games into the season. He was replaced by an interim coach who had been on campus for only those four games. A new coach was hired but then after Saturday’s game they learned he has apparently already resigned. At this rate the seniors on the USC men’s basketball team have little left but their pride.

Reduced to seven scholarship players, the Trojans defeated Western Michigan, 81-74, before 2,042 at the Sports Arena.

“In a sense, yes, we do have to play for ourselves, the six seniors,” said senior power forward Gregg Guenther. “We’re also playing for Coach [Jim] Saia. We’re not going to just leave him by the wayside.”

The Broncos (6-3) were the ones left at the curb by the Trojans (4-3), who used a potent inside-out game to take a 43-28 halftime lead and led by as many as 18 points early in the second half.

Guenther came off the bench and had a career-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes.

Western Michigan, which had won six consecutive games, was led by Stane’s Bufford with 21 points.

Trojan sophomore guard Lodrick Stewart, meanwhile, continued his torrid play under Saia with 21 points on eight-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers.

“I’m just having fun,” said Stewart, who is averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals in his last four games. “When you’re having fun, anything’s possible.”

And under Saia, the interim coach sandwiched between the fired Henry Bibby and the now-uncertain Rick Majerus, it’s been all grins and giggles for Stewart.

“We talk on the phone, go out to eat, he’s like another dad,” Stewart said of Saia. “Whenever I’ve got drama going on at home in Seattle, or with my girl or with my brother [Rodrick] being gone, I’m by myself now for the first time in my life, Coach Saia is there for me.

“When somebody believes in me, it takes me to another level. It’s kind of hard to play for a coach that doesn’t believe in me.”

Meaning Bibby, who was fired suddenly Dec. 6, did not trust in Stewart?

“I can honestly say that, no disrespect to Coach Bibby, but that’s how it was. Now, whenever we make a mistake on the court, we’re not looking to the bench wondering if we’re going to come out.”

Against Western Michigan, the Trojans’ bench was shorter than usual thanks to the transfers of Rodrick Stewart and Emanuel Willis, injuries to Dwayne Shackleford and Jeff McMillan, and a suspension.

Senior guard Errick Craven was suspended by Saia for the game for “conduct detrimental to the team,” though he is expected to join the team today for its flight to Hawaii.

“We love Errick; he’s part of our basketball family,” Saia said. “I know he’ll work past it.”

Craven’s twin brother, Derrick, was quick to defend his sibling.

“He’s not a bad guy at all, he’s a good kid,” Derrick Craven said. “It was just a misunderstanding between him and coach.”