2000-01 record: 24-10; 11-7 in Pac-10 (t4th) Final Ranking: No. 14 ESPN/USA Today Postseason: Lost to Duke 79-69 in East Regional final of NCAA Tournament. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Clancy 17.3 ppg | Rebounds: Clancy 7.5 rpg | Assists: Granville 5.8 apg | FG %: Clancy 50.1% | 3pt %: Bluthenthal 42.9% | FT %: Granville 79.1% 00-01 Stats: USC | Pac-10

		Monday, Nov. 5 It will be difficult to replace Brian Scalabrine, who played his best on USC's Elite Eight run, but Henry Bibby has one of the most explosive forwards in the country in Sam Clancy. Clancy is an inside power player who can also face up and shoot. He blocks shots, rebounds and would be an NBA All-Star if he were three inches taller, but he still led the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in scoring and rebounding before deciding to return to college. David Bluthenthal and Brandon Granville are solid veterans, and Bluthenthal is a good rebounder who has inside-outside ability and 3-point range. Granville is already USC's all-time assist leader, and will be backed up by Errick Craven, a solid defender who can get to the hole. If Desmon Farmer can develop a more diversified game, and Rory O'Neil can play the pivot, the Trojans can challenge for the Pac-10 crown.

Outlook
Tough best describes the Trojans, who stood one win from a Final Four appearance last season before losing to eventual champion Duke.

But three starters return, led by one of the nation's best forwards in senior Sam Clancy (17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg). He chose another year under coach Henry Bibby over testing the NBA draft.

"I told Sam to go pro if it was right for him, if he was a top 10 to 15 pick," said Bibby. "If not, I told him to come back. I think he is going to have a great season for us. ... I have never had seniors work as hard as Sam, Brandon Granville and David Bluthenthal have. A light came on for them. Making the Elite Eight was like a taste of honey. Now, these guys want to do it again."

Granville is the point guard who averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 assists and Bluthenthal the forward who went for 13.5 points and 6.8 boards.

USC is likely a tad less athletic now that Jeff Trepagnier is gone, and sophomore shooting guard Desmon Farmer needs to be more controlled. But the Trojans are experienced enough not to buy into hype.

"Last year is last year," Bibby said. "We can only live on it for so long. It time to think about what we can do this year. People forget you quickly. We have to come out and establish ourselves. The gap throughout our roster has really closed. Everyone is very competitive."

What we like: Post potential. Clancy has great upside and will work himself into that 10-15 draft range if he becomes nastier inside. He's almost too nice for his 6-7, 240-pound frame. Kostas Charissis (6-11, 250) is a promising center who'll miss only three games instead of the 15 he originally thought he'd be suspended by the NCAA for playing with professionals overseas. Versatile forward Brian Scalabrine is gone, which allows freshmen Rory O'Neil (6-11, 220) and Nick Curtis (6-8, 220) to compete for time.

What we don't like: Uncertain backcourt. Granville is the stabilizer, but others need to develop. Farmer has explosive ability. He needs to offer more consistent numbers. Errick and Derrick Craven are athletic freshmen twins who must prove their ability to defend in high school will translate at this level. It certainly isn't poor perimeter skill, but needs to be seasoned at spots.

The bottom line: A very good team that will challenge for the conference title. Fact: USC could be better than last season and not advance as far come March. It takes more than talent to win NCAA games. But if key players remain healthy and the young ones develop, few will welcome a game against USC in a one-and-out scenario.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Sam Clancy	Sr.	F	6-7/240	PTS: 17.3 | REB: 7.5 | AST: 1.0
Brandon Granville	Sr.	G	5-9/175	PTS: 12.4 | REB: 2.7 | AST: 5.8
David Bluthenthal	Sr.	F	6-7/220	PTS: 13.6 | REB: 6.8 | AST: 1.4

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Brian Scalabrine	F	6-9/250	PTS: 14.7 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 2.8
Jeff Trepagnier	G	6-4/195	PTS: 9.0 | REB: 5.1 | AST: 1.6

USC Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Derrick Craven	G	6-2	Torrance, Calif./Bishop Montgomery
Errick Craven	G	6-2	Torrance, Calif./Bishop Montgomery
Rory O'Neil	C	6-10	Ridgecrest, Calif./Burroughs H.S.
Nicholas Curtis	F	6-8	Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard H.S.