By Arlie Rahn
Arizona Daily Wildcat
January 16, 1997

Bibby vs. Bibby provides drama for USC contest

While this game is a little awkward for the younger Bibby, he is trying to maintain his focus on playing USC (7-5, 2-2) and not meeting his father.

"I just need to go out and play my game, and not worry about those other things," Bibby said after the Arizona State contest last Saturday.

Bibby, recently named as a nominee for the John R. Wooden Award, has been Arizona's floor general this season. He is averaging 12.7 points per game, and his 6.3 assists per game rank third in the conference. Yet Bibby's toughest obstacle against the Troja ns will be facing USC's pair of physical and quick point guards, seniors Rodrick Rhodes (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) and Stais Boseman (6-4, 200).

"They have a good deal of size at the point spot," UA assistant coach Jesse Evans said. "But, not only are they big and strong, they are great athletes and hit the boards hard."

Rhodes sat out last season after transferring from Kentucky and is now the team's top scorer at 16 points per game. However, a knee injury will limit his playing time at both the point guard and small forward positions. Paired with Boseman, these two guar ds form one of the top defensive guard tandems in the Pacific 10 Conference, collectively averaging 5.3 steals a game.

Another key player for the Wildcats (10-2 overall, 3-0 Pac-10) to focus on will be 6-5 senior forward Jaha Wilson. Wilson, the Trojans' sixth man, is averaging 7.2 rebounds off the bench.

"Wilson plays much bigger than he is," Evans said. "He is very active on the glass and you have to be conscious of where he is."

Arizona will counter with junior forward Bennett Davison. Davison has quietly averaged close to a double-double every game (13 points, 7.5 rebounds), and has drastically improved defensively.

"I think Bennett is the most athletic four man in the country. He can run, shoot and he really hits the boards hard," UA junior forward Michael Dickerson said. "He's helped me out a lot because when I miss a shot, I don't really care because I know Bennet t is there to get the rebound. So, I think I have a little more confidence when I shoot the ball."

This game will also mark the second time out for junior guard Miles Simon. While Simon finished the ASU game with 18 points and seven assists, the coaching staff feels that he can continue to improve in their system.

"Some of Miles' game decisions are still a little rusty," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "He made some passes (against ASU) that he usually wouldn't make. But, I think that will improve as he continues to play."

In addition, Simon's presence will allow the Wildcats to go with four perimeter players to combat the speed of the Trojans.

"With Miles out there, we can now match up a little better with their quickness. Anytime you have a player that can play more than one position, it is an advantage," Evans said. "And with Miles' rebounding ability, we get another bonus of not worrying abo ut us hitting the boards."

While it is still early in the season, it is easy to underestimate the importance of conference road wins.

"Road wins are very hard to get in this division," Olson said. "As of last week, I think there were only three road wins (in the conference). So, you really have to prepare well to face teams in their place."