INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 22-10; 12-6 in Pac-10 (Tied/2nd) Postseason: Lost to UNC-Wilmington 93-89 in first round of NCAA South Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: E. Craven 11.8 Rebs: E. Craven 4.4 Assists: E. Craven 1.8 FG: O'Neil 48.8% 3pt: Farmer 46.8% FT: O'Neil 76.5% 01-02 Stats: USC | Pac-10 KEY LOSSES Sam Clancy | 19.1 ppg D. Bluthenthal | 12.3 ppg B. Granville | 12.5 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Brandon Brooks | Soph G | Erick Craven | Soph G | De. Farmer | Junior F | Jerry Dupree | Junior C | Ko. Charissis | Senior Player to Watch Erick Craven Soph Guard First freshman to lead Pac-10 in steals (2.2) since Jason Kidd. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 3 Going to UC Santa Barbara is a very dangerous pproposition for unproven USC. The Gauchos are more than capable of winning this one at home.

 

USC TROJANS

It's one of those teams you know will me much better a year from now, but also one you can't overlook today. The Trojans lost three super players in forwards Sam Clancy and David Bluthenthal and point guard Brandon Granville, a trio that combined for 44 points, 19 rebounds and nearly 10 assists per game last year. Head coach Henry Bibby will begin his rebuilding project with sophomore guard Errick Craven (11.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), who made the league's all-freshman team. Says Bibby: "He was the best freshman I ever coached." Craven will have an athletic supporting cast, led by junior guard Desmon Farmer and junior forward Jerry Dupree, although the latter is suspended for the first six games. Clancy was a load on the boards, but USC's biggest loss might be Granville (USC's all-time assists leader). His spot will be filled by junior-college transfer Brandon Brooks, who excels in the open court. The middle is a huge question mark, with sophomore Rory O'Neil (6-11) and JUCO transfer Jonathan Oliver (7-0) roaming the key.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
The two most explosive players are Craven and Farmer, with the latter coming on strong at the end of last season. Bibby can go big with the duo and really make it difficult for opponents to defend. Craven is a slasher who can shoot, while Farmer already has 57 career 3-pointers. If the Trojans can find someone (Brooks, senior Robert Hutchinson) to distribute the ball, they're athletic enough elsewhere to combat the inexperience down low.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
NBA scouts are already intrigued by Oliver, an accomplished shot-blocker. But replacing Clancy's grit and relentless play isn't easy, nor is finding bodies that can match his and Bluthenthal's rebound numbers. Dupree (when eligible) plays much bigger than 6-7, sophomore Nick Curtis is an athletic 6-8 at small forward and Roy Smiley a talented transfer wing, but the Trojans are not a great rebounding team on paper. It's one area where Bibby's intense coaching methods might pay off greatly.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
Bibby has done a tremendous job building the program, leading the Trojans to 46 wins the past tw0 seasons, the best two-year total in school history and the first time USC has won 20 or more in consecutive years since 1939-40. But a roster with just two seniors and the increased expectations of so many likely means a step back for USC. There is still enough, however, to earn and NCAA bid.