Trojans need to make a statement at home

The flip side of Tim Floyd’s version of the Pacific 10 Conference standings, which awards points for road victories, is that you can only lose points at home.

That might make the USC coach a little skittish heading into the Trojans’ game against Arizona tonight at the Galen Center, given that the home-court advantage in the Pac-10 doesn’t appear to be what it once was.

Consider that Arizona State, Oregon State and Oregon all were swept in two games at home last weekend.

“So many times I’ve been in conferences where you felt like if you’re playing at home it was going to take care of itself,� Floyd said. “But the talent [in the Pac-10] is too good. The teams are too good to relax at home. You’ve got to come play.�

The Trojans are still searching for a signature conference home victory after notching their two biggest triumphs of the season -- over UCLA and Oregon -- on the road. Their two biggest clunkers -- losses to Mercer and Fresno Pacific, albeit in an exhibition -- have come at home.

“At home, yeah, we have something to prove,� sophomore forward Taj Gibson said. “We just have to defend home.�

Arizona, which features a pair of probable NBA first-round selections in freshman guard Jerryd Bayless and sophomore forward Chase Budinger, certainly would qualify as the kind of victory that could help USC build its NCAA tournament resume.

Floyd called Bayless “a great talent� and said he didn’t know if he had any guards that gifted when he coached the Chicago Bulls. The 6-foot-3, 199-pound Bayless is averaging 19.9 points and shooting 45.7% from three-point range.

Beating Arizona this season has entailed holding the Wildcats to under 50% shooting; they are 10-0 when shooting 50% or better and only 4-6 when shooting below that figure. That statistical tidbit would seem to favor the Trojans, who are holding opponents to 37.6% shooting.

“If we can keep them down,� Floyd cautioned. “But I tell you, their spacing is maybe the best in our league offensively.�

Floyd said Arizona interim Coach Kevin O’Neill puts four players on the perimeter to extend defenses and allows sophomore forward Jordan Hill to roam the interior.

“They stretch you with guys that can make shots, and then you’re vulnerable to the drive,� Floyd said.

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TONIGHT

vs. Arizona, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Galen Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records--Arizona 14-6 overall, 4-3 Pac-10; USC 13-6, 4-3.

Update -- USC freshman guard Angelo Johnson did not practice Wednesday after throwing up but is expected to play tonight. Trojans sophomore guard Marcus Simmons re-aggravated his sprained left ankle and probably will sit out.

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