Cromwell Might Play Next Week

The pounding USC has suffered on the boards over the last six weeks is nothing compared to the pounding sustained by RouSean Cromwell’s exercise bike.

Every time the Trojan forward watched his teammates get outrebounded and pondered the difference he could have made had he not broken his right foot, he jumped on his bike, legs pumping furiously.

“It makes me mad and I have to get the energy out of me,” Cromwell said. “... I just have to do something or I’ll overload with frustration.”

Soon Cromwell may be able to find an outlet for his aggression on the hardwood. The 6-foot-10 freshman, who was injured Dec. 23 when he stepped on a ball in pregame warmups, rejoined the Trojans at practice Monday for the first time. Cromwell participated in limited agility drills and could play against Oregon on Feb. 23 or Oregon State two days later.

Cromwell’s return hinges on how quickly he can progress into a full practice and how his foot holds up under the increased stress of weight-bearing activities, trainer Mark Pocinich said. Cromwell acknowledged feeling some pain Monday, rating it as a two on a scale of one to 10.

“That’s normal for the stuff he’s doing,” Pocinich said. “We use that kind of as a gauge as to how much we’ll do in a day.”

Cromwell said it has not been easy being sidelined, especially during a recent nine-game stretch in which USC has been outrebounded by 90. Cromwell was the team’s most efficient rebounder, averaging 5.3 in only 19.9 minutes a game; swingman Nick Young averages a team-high 6.4 rebounds but in 33.6 minutes.

The Trojans, who have lost three straight games for the first time this season and last week lost second-leading scorer Gabe Pruitt indefinitely to injury, were thrilled to see a familiar face back at practice.

“I think morale jumped up a few notches to see me on the court again not limping at all,” Cromwell said. “I’m really excited, but at the same time I don’t want to mess up so close [to my return], so I’m taking it easy. I don’t want to hurt myself again.”

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With Coach Tim Floyd outside Southern California recruiting Monday, USC practiced under the direction of assistant coach Phil Johnson. The team will practice at 6 this morning, then take Wednesday off so the coaches can focus on recruiting.

USC will start implementing its game plan for UCLA on Thursday. The Trojans and Bruins will play for the final time at the Sports Arena on Sunday; USC moves into the Galen Center later this year. UCLA holds a 43-18 edge in the series at the Sports Arena, though the Trojans have won three of the last four there.

“We’re going to have to play a near-perfect game to beat them,” assistant coach Bob Cantu said. “But it’s a home game and it’s a rivalry game and anything can happen. We’ll give it our best shot.”

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Even though Pruitt said the pain in his left knee had subsided to the point where he was “kind of back to normal now,” the timetable for the sophomore shooting guard’s return has not changed. Pruitt, who sustained a fracture in his knee on Feb. 6, will not be re-examined until next week, according to Pocinich.

“We like it that he feels good and is able to walk around, but it doesn’t really change what we’re going to do with him a lot right now,” Pocinich said. “He still needs a little bit of time to heal.”