When USC men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd spoke candidly
in front of a group of reporters during the Pac-10 media conference
day about his team, many expected him to speak about the same old
Trojan team. USC, after all, finished 10th in the conference last
season and was pegged to finish eighth at the beginning of this
season. The first-year coach, who has coached at Idaho, New Orleans
and Iowa State, admitted that this season would be a rebuilding
year after losing six players to graduation and welcoming eight new
additions. Floyd said they are without a doubt the most
inexperienced team in the league. “We don’t have a lot
of depth on the perimeter or inside,” Floyd said.
“Another problem with our team will be ability to drive the
ball; we have very good shooters who need to get better at driving
the lane. Those are our real challenges, but with that being said,
I am looking forward to this season.” Much, however, has
happened since the preseason talk. Tonight at Pauley Pavilion, the
No. 18 Bruins (14-3, 4-2 Pac-10) will play host to a Trojan team
(12-5, 3-3) that has garnered national respect this season. Already
rattling off nine consecutive wins at one point in its season,
UCLA’s crosstown rival has flourished under Floyd, already
equaling its number of wins from last year. “(Floyd’s)
done a very, very good job,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said.
“He’s given them stability from where they were a year
ago. You’ve got an experienced coach who’s won
everywhere he’s been in college basketball. “I
don’t agree with that assessment (that they’re not that
good) at all. They’re not that far away. We’re 14-3.
They’re 12-5. They beat North Carolina. I think their program
is on the rise.” Both teams, however, come stumbling into
tonight’s game. UCLA has won three of its last five games
while USC has won just one game in its last three contests. The
Bruins understand the importance of this rivalry game especially
after their heartbreaking loss to Washington last Saturday. Just
one win separates the Bruins and four other conference teams.
“Looking at the big picture and the Pac-10 race, this is very
important,” UCLA sophomore guard Arron Afflalo said.
“We just need a victory coming off the tough loss at home. I
think this team has the character to bounce back and play
well.” A key to a victory tonight will be UCLA’s
ability to contain USC’s backcourt. Against Washington, the
Bruin guards were torched and it won’t get any easier against
USC. The Trojan’s backcourt trio of sophomore Nick Young
(averaging 17.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds), sophomore Gabe
Pruitt (16.7 and 4.5) and junior Lodrick Stewart (12.6 and 4.1),
will cause match-up problems for the Bruins. “They have very
good players ““ Gabe Pruitt and Nick Young. They’re as
talented as anybody in the conference,” Howland said.
“Those two players right there can play anywhere in the
country. They’re capable of big nights, and they’ve
been doing that all year long.” The Bruins have won the last
two games against the Trojans, but the Trojans are leading the
series 4-2 since 2002. The Bruins’ sweep of the Trojans last
season was their first since 2001.
ABOYA ALL RIGHT: It’s been a rare occurrence this season
when a Bruin has an MRI and plays in the next available game, but
that will be the case for freshman Alfred Aboya. An MRI revealed no
new damage in Aboya’s right knee, which was operated on this
past July. The surgeon who performed that operation, though,
indicated that Aboya has significant articular cartilage damage,
which according to Howland, will probably linger throughout the
season. “It’s something that, long-term, (Aboya) is
going to have to deal with,” Howland said. “It’s
sad that I know all of this. I am becoming an expert.”
BOZEMAN INCHING BACK: Howland also said that senior Cedric
Bozeman, out since suffering a cartilage tear in his shoulder on
Dec. 27, 2005, was cleared to shoot and dribble starting on
Tuesday. Bozeman is doubtful for this weekend. With reports from
Seth Fast Glass, Bruin Sports senior staff.