By Kevin Clerici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
January 16, 1997

Women know importance of win over USC

For the first time in Arizona women's basketball history, the Wildcats (12-2 overall, 2-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference) knocked off Southern Cal twice. Breaking an 11-game losing streak that dated back to the 1989-90 season when the two teams split. So to say that Southern Cal (9-4, 3-1) won't be prepared for tonight's 7 p.m. tip-off at McKale Center would be an understatement.

"The girls definitely know what is at stake," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "Southern Cal is a much improved team."

The Trojans even changed their motto to "Strictly Business," in an attempt to not let last year's stumble trip them up again.

"We want to make teams work more this year," USC second year head coach Fred Williams said.

Arizona is out to show that the sweep was no fluke.

"We don't feel that we can't afford to lose to anybody. It's more like we just expect to win," freshman guard Lisa Griffith said.

That statement rings especially true at home, where the Wildcats are 6-0 this season.

"If our team wants to be among the best in the conference, you have to win at home," Bonvicini said.

Besides the fact that tonight's game and Saturday's with UCLA at 3 p.m. count in the conference standings, several Arizona players are from California and the Los Angeles area.

Marte Alexander grew up ten minutes from the Trojan campus and Cha-Ron Walker went to high school within biking distance. Felecity Willis made the L.A. Times All-Star team and Mikko Giordano was the Times Player of the Year in 1994.

"Growing up there, I know so many of the players," Alexander said. "I have played with them and against them for several years now." Giordano said that coming from the LA area doesn't add pressure, though. "It's a big game, but all of our games are big ga mes."

Not just the California-born players will recognize the Trojan team, however.

USC has five seniors and seven other veterans back from last year's 13-14 team, the biggest name being Tina Thompson, one of the premier players in the country.

Thompson, a Naismith Player of the Year candidate, is averaging 22.9 points per game and 10.2 rebounds. The versatile 6'3" forward/center is one of the conference's best three-point shooters as well as a power player.

"We want to be conscious of where she is at, at all times," Bonvicini said. "But, we can't focus solely on her, they have an improved supporting cast."

It is a large supporting cast as six players on USC's team are over six feet tall, anchored by starting center Michelle Campbell at 6'5".

"It will be key that we rebound well," Bonvicini said. "We have worked on boxing out, but it will take more than that. We have to play smart defense."

Using a combination of several defensive looks and pushing the tempo are in the game plan.

Alexander, Arizona's tallest player, isn't worried.

"I know that she is taller than me (Campbell), but it is all about fundamentals. If we can limit them to one shot, we should be fine. Same as on offense, we need to play solid and not take off-balance shots."

Arizona is second in the conference in rebounding, averaging over 45 per game.

"Just because they are taller doesn't mean that they will win. You have to be scrappier and quicker to the ball," Giordano said.

Defense, however, is not what won games last season.

The Wildcats shot 57 percent on their way to an 87-72 blowout on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles and nearly 50 percent in the 78-73 victory on Feb. 17.

At McKale Center the Wildcats are averaging 82 points per contest and are shooting nearly 70 percent from the free-throw line.

Junior Adia Barnes leads the Wildcats in scoring average with 19.9 points while Griffith averages just over 11. Monika Crank is shooting 37 percent from three-point range.

"When teams come to play you here (McKale Center) they shouldn't feel like it is an easy task. Our attitude is that nobody can come in here and take us lightly. And that is the mentality that you have to have," Alexander said.