Trojans Need Sun Devils to Help Them Out Again

And now, at a most opportune time, comes that rarest of USC opponents: one the Trojans have beaten this season.

USC’s 98-94 victory over Arizona State on Jan. 15 in Tempe ended the Trojans’ five-game losing streak and propelled USC to a two-game Pacific 10 Conference winning streak.

And now the Trojans are reeling again heading into the rematch with the Sun Devils tonight at the Sports Arena.

“We’ve got another five-game losing streak, so maybe we can get one and get off the block again and get something positive going,” USC interim Coach Jim Saia said.

The Trojans, 9-14 overall and 2-10 in conference play, have lost 10 of 12 largely because they have been unable to stop opponents. USC has yielded shooting percentages of 55.3% or better in each of its last three games.

“We do have to play better defense,” Saia said. “I know fans and everybody looks at the offensive end of things, but it’s all about the defense.”

The only team the Trojans have beaten this season that made at least 50% of its shots was Arizona State; the Sun Devils converted 52.5%. USC won by containing big man Ike Diogu with double- and triple-team coverage. Diogu finished with 15 points, seven below his season average, and fouled out late in the game.

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USC needs to win at least three of its last six games to have a chance to qualify for the eight-team conference tournament. Arizona State and Washington State, tied for seventh in the Pac-10, already have five conference victories apiece.

Saia, though, declined to look beyond tonight’s game.

“I just want to win a game, have a happy locker room and have a Sunday I can enjoy for once,” he said.

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Errick Craven aggravated his injured right ankle Friday and did not practice. The senior guard, who played only five minutes against Arizona after sitting out the previous two games, is questionable for tonight’s game.

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TONIGHT

vs. Arizona State, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- KMPC (1540).

Records -- USC 9-14 overall, 2-10 Pacific 10 Conference; Sun Devils 16-8, 5-7.

Update -- Arizona State, which started 11-1, has lost three of four and six of nine.