Floyd Pleased by Gaudino’s Effort

As far as shakeups go, this was as big as they get.

Along with mainstays Nick Young and Ryan Francis, USC Coach Tim Floyd went with a starting lineup Saturday that included Jeremy Barr, Dwayne Shackleford and Greg Gaudino. It was the first start of the season for Shackleford and the first ever for Gaudino, a former walk-on.

The reconfigured lineup helped the Trojans build an early nine-point lead against Washington State at Friel Court, but the Cougars rallied for a 60-47 victory.

“We had lost enough games in my opinion by looking at a 14-rebound deficit,” Floyd said in explaining the change. “I wasn’t sure if it would get better with the guys we inserted, but I felt like the guys that were sitting might come back in and guard a little bit and rebound a little bit harder.”

Center Abdoulaye N’diaye tied his career high with nine rebounds, but Floyd was so pleased with Gaudino’s effort that he kept substituting the senior forward back in. Gaudino finished with two points and two rebounds in 18 minutes, one minute fewer than he had played all season.

“It was amazing,” said Gaudino, who scored the game’s first two points after collecting a loose ball. “It was a feeling I hadn’t had since I’ve been on the team.”

Said Floyd: “He brought a bunch of effort to the game tonight, and I was real proud of his effort and his intensity.”

Barr, making his first start since Nov. 26, did not score and had one rebound in seven minutes. Shackleford had eight points, five assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes.

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The Trojans are to return to Los Angeles today and resume practice Monday. Their Tuesday practice is scheduled for 6 a.m.

“We need it,” junior guard Lodrick Stewart said. “[Floyd] is just trying to get us back on track to get some wins.”