USC struggles on the boards without Darion Clark
USC forward Darion Clark grabs a rebound away from New Mexico guard Tim Jacobs during the second half of a game Nov. 21.
Forward Darion Clark sat on USC’s bench Wednesday, his arm in a sling, and watched as Colorado snatched up nearly every loose ball.
It got so bad that in the first seven minutes of the second half, USC had only one rebound.
Off the bench, Clark has averaged 4.8 rebounds in less than 12 minutes a game this season. USC Coach Andy Enfield called him “one of the best per-minute rebounders in the nation.”
But Clark’s separated shoulder, sustained in practice more than two weeks ago, has crippled USC’s rebounding efforts. In the four games since Clark’s injury, USC has yet to outrebound an opponent.
Against Colorado, the Trojans had just 21 rebounds all game. Their previous low was 27, against Idaho.
Clark’s recovery is expected to take several weeks.
“It’s really hurt us,” Enfield said. “When he’s not in there, and other players get in foul trouble, we get pushed around sometimes.”
Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter: @zhelfand
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