Incidents Hang Over USC-Cal

The last thing USC needs as it attempts to build upon its first Pacific 10 Conference victory is a potential distraction, but the Trojans will be faced with one tonight against California in the teams’ first meeting since a pair of altercations last season.

USC guards Errick and Derrick Craven each were suspended one game for their respective run-ins with Golden Bear guard Richard Midgley, including one in which Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said Midgley had been “violently assaulted” by Errick Craven on Feb. 21.

The twins ran into Midgley last summer while visiting friends in Berkeley and exchanged pleasantries during a brief conversation, though they did not directly address what appeared to be a simmering feud.

“Everything’s cool. We’re good now,” Derrick Craven said Wednesday.

Nonetheless, Errick Craven said he would not back down if Midgley became overly physical tonight when the Trojans, 8-9 overall and 1-5 in the Pac-10, play host to Cal (8-7, 1-4) at the Sports Arena.

“If he comes out too aggressive, then we’re going to have to revert back,” Craven said. “If he comes out cool, I’ll come out cool.”

Errick Craven had kicked Midgley when he was down on the court Jan. 22 when the teams met in Berkeley, prompting the Trojans to hold Craven out of the starting lineup in their next game as punishment.

Then, in the February rematch, Errick Craven came down on Midgley’s back after being pump-faked into the air, and Midgley threw a punch before being pulled back by officials as Craven walked away. Later in the game, Derrick Craven appeared to take a swing at Midgley after a collision.

“He said it wasn’t intentional, but it looked pretty intentional,” Errick Craven said of his brother’s retaliatory shot.

Midgley is questionable for tonight’s game because of a sprained right shoulder that has limited his productivity the last three games.

*

TONIGHT

vs. California, 7:30

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- KMPC (1540).

Records -- Trojans 8-9 overall, 1-5 in Pacific 10 Conference; Golden Bears 8-7, 1-4.

Update -- USC is hoping to re-establish a home-court edge during a three-game homestand that also includes games Saturday against Stanford and Jan. 29 against UCLA.