Shackleford Provides Lift

Although the defensive dexterity of Jeff McMillan and the combined offensive prowess of Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt were the obvious catalysts in USC’s slump-busting 82-71 defeat of Arizona State on Saturday, interim Coach Jim Saia was also quick to point out the leadership exhibited by Dwayne Shackleford.

Leadership from a first-year player who had appeared in only three Pacific 10 Conference games to that point?

“I ain’t got no choice but to get in there ... and motivate everyone, get everyone going,” Shackleford said. “I just wanted to have some fun, bring some energy and have some fun.”

Shackleford, a spark plug of a point guard generously listed at 5 feet 10, 185 pounds, has endured a season of injuries and undergone a pair of arthroscopic knee surgeries. And while Shackleford contemplated applying for a medical redshirt, Saia said he had to work his way onto the court after being the 10th man in the rotation.

Against Arizona State, Shackleford was the first player off the bench. And at one point in the first half, Saia had a three-point-guard offense -- Shackleford, Pruitt and Derrick Craven -- on the court next to power forward McMillan and center Rory O’Neil.

“That’s fun playing with [three point guards],” Shackleford said. “Whoever gets [the ball], pushes it and hits the open man.”

The Sun Devils left him open a few times, and Shackleford, a junior college All-American sharpshooter at Allegany College in Cumberland, Md., made them pay, knocking down two clutch three-point baskets and four free throws in 18 minutes.

With 10 points, it was the first time since the Trojans’ season opener against UC Irvine that Shackleford scored in double figures.

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Arizona State Coach Rob Evans angrily approached Saia as both teams entered their respective locker rooms at halftime.

“He said that one of my assistants was talking to [ASU player] Steve Moore during the game,” Saia said. “I just apologized to him.”

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USC assistant Bob Cantu was not at the game because he was out recruiting for incoming coach Tim Floyd.