Rebels won’t have ‘fun’ time with USC

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 | 10:19 a.m.

NEXT UP

What: Southern Cal at UNLV

When: Sunday, 12:45 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: ABC, Channel 13

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour says he usually approaches a non-conference game in the middle of league play as a chance to have some fun away from stressful Mountain West Conference action.

But after watching Sunday afternoon's opponent at the Thomas & Mack Center, USC, score impressive back-to-back wins over 19th-ranked Oregon and crosstown rival UCLA, Spoonhour isn't sure just how much fun playing the Trojans will be.

"I thought they looked very good and I thought they played with great enthusiasm," Spoonhour said after the Rebels' practice on Thursday afternoon. "They're a tough team to play. They have good depth. (USC coach Henry Bibby) can play nine or 10 people if he chooses to and there doesn't seem to be a great dropoff. I've watched their last two games and I've been very impressed with them."

USC (9-9) just completed its first series sweep of UCLA since 1992, edging the Bruins, 86-85, on a pair of free throws by standout sophomore guard Errick Craven with 4.4 seconds remaining. The Trojans overcame a three-point deficit in the last minute to secure the sweep. It also marked the first time since 1941 that USC swept UCLA in both football and basketball in the same athletic year.

Four days earlier, the Trojans upset then-19th ranked Oregon, 91-76.

"They had their struggles early but I think Henry has his team playing really well right now," Spoonhour said.

Bibby, in his seventh year at USC, lost three key starters --- center Sam Clancy, forward David Bluthenthal and point guard Brandon Granville --- from a 22-10 squad that finished tied for second in the Pac-10 Conference, reached the Pac-10 Tournament final and received a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Trojans rely on the play of a very athletic backcourt led by Errick Craven (14.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and identical twin brother Derrick Craven (3.5 ppg, 2.6 apg) and 6-foot-4 junior Desmond Farmer (17.3 ppg), who had 28 points and nine rebounds in Wednesday night's victory over UCLA.

"They play a real fast-paced game," Rebel point guard Marcus Banks said. "They love to run up and down the floor. We have our times where we like to run, too, so it could get pretty ugly out there."

Sunday's game, televised regionally by ABC, begins a crucial stretch of four games in nine days for the Rebels. UNLV (13-6) travels to San Diego State on Tuesday night, hosts BYU on Friday night at the Thomas & Mack and then travels to Utah for a Monday night contest.

"You just go out and play them," Spoonhour said of the busy schedule. "I think the kids like it. They don't have to put up with me yelling at them in practice all the time."

Spoonhour is hoping his team can continue to play with the enthusiasm it displayed at both ends of the floor in Monday night's stunning 90-57 blowout of a good Colorado State squad.

"I'd like to see us play with a lot of energy like we did against Colorado State," Spoonhour said. "USC will be a very difficult team to defense because they can all the dribble the ball and can break you down defensively. And they're kind of in the same boat as we are in that we're both trying to get as many wins as we can (to possibly qualify for the NCAA Tournament)."