Freshman Need to Step Up

Lacking a true center and a player taller than 6 feet 8, the Trojans must get rebounding and scoring from the two freshmen playing power forward--Greg Lakey and Shannon Swillis--if they hope to compete with some of the bigger front-court players in the Pacific 10.

Saturday night against San Diego State, the 6-8, 200-pound Lakey had four rebounds and two points. Swillis, a 6-6, 225-pound redshirt freshman, led the Trojans with eight rebounds but turned the ball over four times and scored only four points.

Freshman guard Jeff Trepagnier, who has appeared confused at times, showed progress in his 13 minutes Saturday. He had three assists, and roused the USC bench in the second half by diving for a loose ball.

*

The Trojans are catching UNLV tonight without one of the Rebel mainstays, 6-11 center Keon Clark, and a newcomer, former UC Irvine swingman Kevin Simmons. Both were suspended by the NCAA in September for accepting trips to Disney World from a sports agent.

TONIGHT

vs.

Nevada Las Vegas

* 7:30 p.m.

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--Sports Arena.

Radio--KEZY-FM (95.9).

Records--Trojans 4-1, Rebels 2-1.

Update--The Trojans are 4-1 for the third consecutive year but have been erratic. USC has proven it can shoot, though. Junior forward Adam Spanich has made 17 of 32 three-point shots and senior forward Gary Williams is averaging 14 points. But the Trojans have had problems with turnovers--25 against San Diego State--and rebounding. UNLV is coming off a 92-68 drubbing by second-ranked Kansas in the Preseason NIT. USC’s problems down low could be exploited by UNLV, which has two talented post players in 6-6 forward Tyrone Nesby, and 6-9 center Kaspars Kambala. They are averaging 23 and 20 points, respectively.