Trepagnier Talks With NCAA

Jeff Trepagnier met with NCAA investigators for nearly five hours on the USC campus Thursday in an effort to save his jeopardized senior season.

The Trojan guard has yet to play a basketball game for USC. He sat out the team’s first three games because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Last Friday, Trepagnier was suspended by Coach Henry Bibby, for what Bibby termed “violations of athletic department policy.”

Bibby said Trepagnier will sit out Saturday’s road game against UC Santa Barbara. He will not travel with the team to Santa Barbara, but could go to the game on his own.

Investigators began interviewing Trepagnier at 12:30 p.m. He did not arrive for the Trojans 4 p.m. practice until after 5:30 p.m.

As he ran toward the gym, Trepagnier said he could not discuss the investigation, but added he expected to be cleared of any perceived violations. “I expect to play again, hopefully in a week,” he said.

Trepagnier is not expected to have any more contact with the investigators. Bibby said until there is a decision, Trepagnier is restricted to practicing with the team on campus.

Trepagnier was interviewed by NCAA investigators in September regarding a trip he took to Las Vegas with Fresno State guard Tito Maddox. Trepagnier and Maddox were teammates at Compton High.

The trip, according to sources familiar with the case, was reportedly paid for by a friend who has represented both an athletic shoe company and an agent.

Trepagnier appeared to have been cleared of any wrongdoing in September. But the NCAA has continued the investigation. One source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there were “discrepancies” in the accounts given by Maddox and Trepagnier.

Neither player has appeared in a game this season. At present the Trojans are 5-0, and Fresno State is 4-2. Should either player appear in a game before the investigation concludes, and then be found in violation of NCAA rules, his team would have to forfeit those games.

Bibby said Thursday that he could not comment on Trepagnier’s situation. When asked if he thought Trepagnier would play this season, Bibby said, “Right now I just don’t know.”

So far USC has been able to endure the loss of Trepagnier with the emergence of freshman Desmon Farmer, who has started all five games and is averaging 11 points.

Last season, Trepagnier was the Trojans’ second-leading scorer (15.9 points) and third-leading rebounder (6.6). He led the Pacific 10 Conference in steals (3.2) and was the only conference player to finish in the top 10 in five offensive categories.