Incident Will Put Craven on Bench

Errick Craven, who matter-of-factly acknowledged kicking a downed Richard Midgley in USC’s 63-62 loss to California on Thursday, will not start tonight’s game at No. 2-ranked Stanford and may not play at all as a result of his actions.

“We have to do something about it; that’s not acceptable, what he did,” Coach Henry Bibby said Friday night at the team hotel. “I think he’s aware of that now and actions have to be taken. There’s probably some other [punishments] once we get back to L.A., but right now, what hurts him the most would be [not] starting.”

With 4 minutes, 28 seconds remaining in the game, Craven and Midgley were assessed technical fouls for their dust-up, which began with Craven’s kick.

“When I saw an opportunity and he was on the ground, I took it,” Craven said after the game.

Craven was contrite a day later, though he was surprised when told by reporters that his punishment was to not start against the Cardinal.

“I just can’t let my emotions take over,” Craven said. “It’s a fair punishment. I know stuff like this is a reflection of the university. The things I said ... after the game I was kind of mad so I just put it out there.

“I did say it out of anger.”

USC senior associate athletic director Daryl Gross said the matter would be handled further internally with “awareness sessions.”

Pacific 10 Conference spokesman Dave Hirsch said that Commissioner Tom Hansen had contacted USC on Friday afternoon.

“We haven’t seen the play,” Hirsch said. “[Pac-10 coordinator of men’s basketball officiating] Lou Campanelli ... probably won’t have an opportunity to see it until he gets back on Monday. He’ll evaluate the play in which Craven was quoted as kicking and the last 10 seconds of the game.”

The last 10 seconds saw the Craven twins -- Derrick and Errick -- drive to the basket for potential game-winning shots before they were hammered and the referees’ whistles remained silent.

Especially galling -- after USC video coordinator Erik Perea showed replays to reporters -- was when Derrick Craven was taken down.

With about seven seconds remaining in the game, Craven used a cross-over dribble at the top of the arc to blow by Cal guard A.J. Diggs. But as Craven elevated in the lane, Diggs reached out and grabbed Craven by his right arm, dragging him to the court, a play that should have warranted an intentional foul and given the Trojans two foul shots and possession of the ball.

“We were going to get it done by whatever means necessary, even if we had to tackle somebody,” Cal forward Leon Powe told the San Mateo County Times.

No foul was called and Cal recovered the loose ball.

Earlier Friday, before the Pac-10 called, Bibby did not think action against Craven was warranted.

“If nothing’s going to come down on the mugging that we took with guys going to the basket,” Bibby said, “I don’t think anything’s going to be taken with that.”

*

TONIGHT

at Stanford, 7

Site -- Maples Pavilion.

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

Records -- USC 8-8 overall, 3-4 in Pac 10, Stanford 15-0, 6-0.

Update -- USC may start 6-feet-8, 245-pound Gregg Guenther alongside 6-8, 260-pound Jeff McMillan down low.