Bibby Seeking Consistency

Attention, USC fans: So you’re infuriated with the frustrating brand of up-again, down-again ball your favorite college basketball team is playing these days.

You’re not alone.

Count Coach Henry Bibby among the perpetually perplexed and bemused.

By his admission, not even he has an idea as to how to keep the Trojans properly motivated, which would explain why they can look so good against the likes of unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Stanford, UCLA and No. 16 Arizona, which plays host to USC tonight, and look so bad against Washington and Washington State last week.

“I’ve done everything possible,” Bibby said of his motivational ploys. “I’ve gone back and used everything I’ve used for the last 30 years of coaching.

“Hopefully some guys will get going. We give kids confidence and I’ve never told a kid ... not to shoot the basketball, so they all have the green light. It’s a matter of getting in the position to shoot it and making the shots and having confidence.”

Since defeating Arizona, 99-90, at the Sports Arena on Jan. 15, USC is shooting 42.8% from the field, 34.5% on three-point attempts and 58.2% from the free-throw line while losing five of six games.

“Right now we’re not playing the game,” Bibby said. “I don’t think we’re that far away. I just think we’re discouraged at times when teams make runs at us.”

Bibby acknowledged that he had gone as far as asking his players to close their eyes and envision moments from their best high school game.

“ ‘Put that in your mind and take that on the floor,’ ” Bibby said, reflecting upon what he tells his team before smiling. “I don’t know when that’s worked. Not lately.”

Said junior point guard Derrick Craven: “It gives you a good feeling, but you’ve got to execute.”

“No one [player] has said, ‘Enough is enough,’ ” Bibby said. “We need them to get tired of getting [beaten], unless they’re happy with that losing feeling.

“We’ve been at that peak, where we’ve performed well, and we’ve been at the bottom of the valley ... we’ve hit every extreme.”

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Desmon Farmer said Wednesday that his sore left (shooting) hand felt worse than the left ankle he twisted the day before. And after scoring 40 points against Arizona the last time the teams met, the senior guard had an inkling what’s in store for him.

“I know they’re out for revenge,” he said of the Wildcats.

“I expect them to guard me well. That’s where I get everyone else involved. Hopefully my teammates will get me back involved.”

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TONIGHT

at No. 16 Arizona, 5:30 PST

Fox Sports Net

Site -- McKale Center.

Radio -- KMPC (1540), KSPA (1510), XEMM (800).

Records -- USC 9-11, 4-7 in Pacific 10; 14-6, 6-5.

Update -- The Wildcats have lost three of four for the second time in 19 seasons. USC’s last victory in Tucson came in 1985 and the Trojans last swept the Wildcats in 1983.