Trojans get off to a late start

USC last held a “Midnight Madness” three coaches and five years ago, so the Trojans could be forgiven if their first such event since the Henry Bibby era got off to a slow start.

There was a video highlight package that featured shots of the Trojans playing at the long-since-abandoned Sports Arena, including one focusing on long-since-departed forward Jeremy Barr.

About 30 minutes into the event Friday night at the Galen Center, there was still no sign of freshman sensation O.J. Mayo, but the crowd of about 3,000 did get to cheer students shooting -- and mostly missing -- three-pointers on a video game system projected onto the scoreboard. (The guy posing as the Phoenix Suns’ Leandro Barbosa won.)

Mayo and his teammates were later scheduled to participate in a 10-minute scrimmage, though the Trojans were missing two potential starters in sophomore guard Daniel Hackett (broken jaw) and freshman forward Davon Jefferson (sprained knee).

-- Ben Bolch

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UCLA also opened basketball practice Friday night, but the session was not open to the public. The Bruins will face Azusa Pacific in their first exhibition Nov. 2 at Pauley Pavilion.