Hawaii Return Seems Likely

It appears that USC is headed back to Hawaii next year.

Daryl Gross, associate athletic director, said, “It’s more than a good chance” the Trojans will play in the Pearl Harbor Classic that UCLA finished third in last week, or the Hilo tournament.

“We want to give our guys some extra games,” Gross said Monday. “Those games are exempt from your schedule. The NCAA has a limit of 28 regular-season games. This will let us play 30.”

In November, USC played North Carolina, Memphis and Utah State in the Maui Invitational.

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David Bluthenthal’s move from power forward to small forward has been more positive than negative. But Bluthenthal says he should be doing more.

” 1/8The change 3/8 is about what I expected,” Bluthenthal said. “I knew it would be tough after always playing on the inside rather than the perimeter. But I’m not discouraged.”

The 6-foot-7 sophomore is averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds and has alternated between the positions, depending on what USC needs in a particular game.

“Offensively, I’m fine,” Bluthenthal said. “I like to score and I will score if they need it. But Sam 1/8Clancy 3/8, Brian 1/8Scalabrine 3/8 and Jeff 1/8Trepagnier 3/8 can all score.

“When I’m out there, I don’t want to make mistakes. And on defense, I know I must improve on guarding quicker forwards.”

Coach Henry Bibby said he is satisfied with Bluthenthal’s play, but sees one aspect of Bluthenthal’s game he would like to change.

“I’m not a proponent of the three-point shot,” Bibby said. “We are not gonna have him shoot the three-pointer. I think he’s a much better shooter when he shoots the two-pointer and not the three. That’s where I want him to shoot. But when he gets his feet set he can make the three.

“I’m just trying to help him be a better shooter and have a better selection of shots.”