Rebels benefit when Diggs plays it smart

Steve Addy

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

The senior maturity of Rebels guard Trevor Diggs is being revealed in more than just his improved shooting percentage.

Diggs' reaction to adversity might be a truer indicator of his growth since last season.

His ability to control his emotions and approach the game cerebrally worked to the Rebels' advantage in their 70-69 victory over Cal State Northridge on Saturday.

Instead of responding with anger or crippling self-doubt after being replaced in the starting lineup for the second half, Diggs just went with the flow.

The result? He scored 12 of his 16 points in the half, keeping the Rebels' offense humming despite his own weary legs and a Northridge team that refused to quit.

Diggs admitted he was surprised at halftime when notified that backup Jermaine Lewis would start at shooting guard.

"It was a decision the coaches made, and I wasn't going to get upset," Diggs said. "You can't get mad. You just wait for another chance to produce."

Diggs quickly realized the move made sense. Lewis had made 3-of-4 shots in the first half, including 3-of-3 3-pointers, for nine points. Diggs was 2-of-6, missing all three 3-pointers, and had committed two turnovers.

"I didn't really have my legs and Jermaine was hot," Diggs said with a humble nod. "That's the difference in this year's team. If I'm not hitting, we have other guys who can make shots. That takes a lot of pressure off me."

But Diggs didn't have to wait long for another chance. He was back on the court within the first four minutes and scored 12 points in a span of 11:37.

He did it wisely, too. Instead of firing wayward 3-pointers with insufficient leg push, he started driving the lane for pull-up 15-footers. He hit two of them and got fouled on four others, converting 6-of-8 free throws.

"It didn't make sense to keep taking long shots," Diggs said. "I tried to get to the basket and make some things happen that way. I was able to hit a couple."

"Trevor played smart," Rebels coach Bill Bayno said. "He is showing more maturity. He is more receptive to coaching. He knows there are going to be times when Jermaine has it going, so I'm going to go with him. But when Trevor has it going, he knows I'm going to go with him, too."

So far, Diggs has "had it going" more often than not, and certainly more than last season, when he shot 35 percent overall and 33 percent on 3-pointers. He is scoring just as much as last year (15.0 points, down from 15.1), but shooting 45 percent overall and 38 percent on 3-pointers.