Jittery Newcomers Ready for Opener

The season opener against San Diego State tonight will mark the college debut of several Trojan players.

Center Brian Scalabrine and guard Quincy Wilder transferred to USC from Highline Community College in Des Moines, Wash. Scalabrine said he will fulfill a lifelong goal when tipoff time comes around.

“It’s always been my dream to play in Division I,” the 6-foot-9 sophomore said. “So I’m probably going to be a little nervous.”

The Trojans will have four freshmen on the roster and maybe one in the starting lineup. Guard Brandon Granville was pressed into action during sophomore Kevin Augustine’s two-week leave for personal reasons. The former Westchester High star is surprised to be playing a crucial role so soon.

“I was a little bit nervous at first,” Granville said. “But the talent level [in the exhibitions] wasn’t that good. It wasn’t like we jumped into playing North Carolina.”

TONIGHT

vs. San Diego State

7 p.m.

* Site--Sports Arena

* Radio--AM 1540

* Update--Adam Spanich, the Trojans’ leading returning scorer with an average of 12 points a game, should be recovered from the sore knee that kept him out of last Saturday’s exhibition. The Aztecs have eight freshmen and only two returning scholarship players from a team that went 13-15 last season.