USC Looks to End Dry Spell at Arizona

One coach was fired four games into the season, another resigned five days after having been hired and the interim coach is winless in Pacific 10 Conference play.

So much for stability.

USC seemingly needs something uplifting to happen soon, but it could face more trouble tonight against No. 17-ranked Arizona in McKale Center.

The last-place Trojans (7-8 overall, 0-4 in the conference) are off to their worst start in conference in 14 years. They appeared to be in disarray on defense last week in blowout losses to Washington and Washington State in the Sports Arena.

Interim Coach Jim Saia has questioned the team’s effort and discipline -- weaknesses Arizona (12-3, 2-1) usually exploits -- during a stretch of five losses in six games.

The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 50-33, and are 30-13 against the Trojans in McKale Center. USC hasn’t won at Arizona since 1985.

Saia said it was time for USC to make a stand.

“We’re not playing with the same effort,” he said. “You’ve got to guard people and play with energy, effort and excitement.

“What happens with kids today is, when the offense doesn’t go right, the offense affects the defense. It should be the reverse. The defense should affect the offense.”

USC shot only 38.9% and had 20 turnovers in an 84-59 loss to Washington. The Huskies shot 45.6%.

The Trojans shot 34% in a 69-52 loss to Washington State. The Cougars, shooting only 37.7% for the season, shot a season-high 58.7%.

“That’s just awful. That has to change,” Saia said. “If that doesn’t change ... that’s the stat I’m looking at.”

Saia accepted some responsibility for the team’s recent poor play on defense, saying he might not have focused on it enough.

“Because I became the head coach, I’m trying to change some things offensively, so I focused on the offense,” he said. “When you become an interim coach in the middle of the season, you’re playing games. You don’t have practice time.

“You’re just trying to review things and maintain your intensity. The defense is already in. We just have to start executing more, and I’ve got to start emphasizing that and get back to the basics defensively. You’ve got to stop people.”

The coaching situation has been an ongoing distraction.

USC was expected to introduce Tim Floyd as its next coach early this week, but that didn’t occur. If Floyd joins the Trojans, he would succeed Saia, who stepped in for the fired Henry Bibby. Then, after USC hired Rick Majerus only to see him resign abruptly, Saia remained in charge of the team.

Without closure, the Trojans are still playing the waiting game. Saia previously said the off-court situation didn’t affect the players, but he’s no longer as confident.

“I would say no, but you’d have to ask them,” he said.

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Senior forward Jeff McMillan failed to score in 22 minutes against Washington and Washington State.

“I believe in Jeff,” Saia said. “I just want to get more effort out of him.” ... Senior guard Errick Craven (ankle injury) has returned to practice.

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Times staff writer Gary Klein contributed to this report.