Pruitt could be eligible for game

The biggest assist at USC today could be delivered by a group of teachers.

Gabe Pruitt said Wednesday night that his teachers told him he had attained the grades necessary to regain his academic eligibility, but it was unclear whether the scores from the junior guard’s final exams would be posted in time for him to play against Bethune-Cookman tonight at the Galen Center.

“Hopefully, sometime [this] morning or afternoon they’ll be posted,” Pruitt said. “That’s what we’re waiting for right now.”

Pruitt, a first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference selection as a sophomore, is expected to lighten the ballhandling load on freshman point guard Daniel Hackett upon his return. The Trojans are averaging 19.5 turnovers, worst in the Pac-10.

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Coach Tim Floyd said the Trojans had been contacted about former Fairfax High forward Jamal Boykin, who intends to transfer from Duke.

But USC is not interested because it has already signed several highly regarded forwards for next season.

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Sophomore guard Sead Odzic, who intends to transfer at the semester break, has narrowed his choices to Loyola of Chicago, Valparaiso and Illinois State, Floyd said.... Freshman forward Kasey Cunningham, slowed by a longer-than-expected recovery from a torn knee ligament, has decided to use a medical redshirt this season.

TONIGHT

vs. Bethune-Cookman, 7:30

Site -- Galen Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- USC 6-2, Bethune-Cookman 2-4.

Update -- Junior swingman Jimmy Hudson averages 14.2 points for Bethune-Cookman, which in the past week has suffered a 23-point loss to Oregon State and a 28-point loss to Oregon. Floyd said he expects the small and active Wildcats, who average seven steals per game, to press the Trojans.

ben.bolch@latimes.com