Wednesday, February 19, 1997
Tonight’s game has NCAA aim as well as crosstown rivalry
M. HOOPS:By Hye Kwon
Daily Bruin Staff
Never mind this is for the Pacific 10 conference lead. Disregard
the fact that both teams are trying to secure NCAA tournament bids.
Forget about the NBA scouts that will be watching the players with
attentive eyes.
Take away all those factors, and there’s still UCLA vs. USC, the
essence of rivalry in Los Angeles.
Unlike UCLA-USC contests of recent years, tonight’s game has
conference and even national ramifications. The 17th-ranked Bruins
(15-7 overall, 10-3 Pac-10) are in familiar territory atop the
conference, while the Trojans (14-8, 9-4) have surprised everyone
this year, currently tied for second place in the conference.
As if those factors alone wouldn’t draw enough attention to
tonight’s game, which tips off at 7:30 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion,
there’s a healthy dosage of pregame trash-talking coming from both
sides.
After UCLA’s win over Arizona State last Saturday, junior
forward J.R. Henderson ignited the flames by using some choice
words to describe the Trojans.
"I just can’t see ‘SC as this top-notch team," Henderson said.
"When I think about ‘SC, it’s just ‘SC; we’re going to beat them
like we should. That’s the way we’re approaching it, it’s just
‘SC.
"I don’t plan on losing to ‘SC."
When asked how he would feel if the Trojans got upset about his
remarks, Henderson replied, "They can read this, I don’t care. Let
them read whatever they want to. This is how I feel. They’re better
(than in the past). But I don’t think they’re as good as people are
trying to make them out to be."
Henderson’s words, which USC head coach Henry Bibby described as
a "little slap in the face," were not taken lightly by USC’s
players.
"Come Wednesday, we’re going to make (Henderson) eat his words,"
USC forward Jaha Wilson said. "I hate (UCLA). I can’t stand them.
It’s personal."
"UCLA has five NBA players in their lineup," Bibby, who is a
former All-American guard under Coach John Wooden, said
sarcastically. "Maybe we shouldn’t even be on the floor with them.
Maybe they can say what they want to say."
In a Tuesday afternoon luncheon at the Los Angeles Athletic
Club, UCLA head coach Steve Lavin did his best to deflect the
remarks of his star forward.
"In no way did J.R.’s comments in the newspapers reflect the way
I feel about USC," Lavin said. "Henry Bibby is someone I grew up
watching on television, not only at UCLA but also for the
(Philadelphia) 76ers. In a very short time, he’s turned around the
USC program.
"They’re playing like winners right now. I think USC is as
talented as anybody in the conference, and they have tremendous
depth."
One of the keys to UCLA’s success tonight will be stopping
forward Rodrick Rhodes, who is currently averaging 13 points, 3.8
assists and 4.5 rebounds per outing.
Playing in his second and final regular-season game against UCLA
as a Trojan after transferring from Kentucky, Rhodes dismissed the
idea that Henderson’s remarks will be any type of motivating
factor.
"If we need coach or (opposing) players to get us motivated for
a game like this, we don’t deserve to play at this level," Rhodes
said. "That was just his (Henderson’s) opinion. If that’s what he
feels, that’s what he feels. I’m just treating this like a regular
game."
AARON TOUT
After defeating Arizona on Saturday, J.R. Henderson (center) was
quoted as saying, "I don’t plan on losing to ‘SC."