`STRANGE' DAYS FOR TROJANS : ON THE BUBBLE.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

Stais Boseman has never been here before.

``Usually,'' he said, ``I'm kind of moping and waiting for the season to be over with.''

As the Trojans (16-9, 11-5) enter their most important weekend in five years, Boseman, the leader of this USC team, doesn't know what to make of the possibilities.

It's an unfamiliar position for the Trojans, playing their final two Pacific-10 Conference games with a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

``It is kind of strange,'' Boseman said on the eve of tonight's game at Washington State.

A USC sweep would guarantee the Trojans at least a share of second place in the Pac-10 and probably a slot in the tournament.

But if USC splits, so does the conventional wisdom on the Trojans' chances of making the tournament.

``Even if we get a split and are tied for second, we deserve to get into the tournament,'' Boseman said. ``If we go up there and lose two games, we don't deserve to go.''

Among the other schools on the bubble: Michigan (17-10), Syracuse (18-10), Boston College (18-8) and Fresno State (20-10).

USC has not gone to the NCAA Tournament since 1992, when Boseman was a junior in high school.

``It's kind of hard to stay focused,'' Boseman said. ``The games just mean so much right now.''

Only Rodrick Rhodes, who transferred from Kentucky, has ever played in a tournament game. And he never had to deal with the pressure of getting into the 64-team field.

``At Kentucky, we were playing for a No. 1 or No. 2 seed,'' Rhodes said. ``But it's the same pressure to be honest. We're still fighting for something. We don't have anything to lose. We have everything to gain. A lot of people picked us ninth or 10th (in the Pac-10).''

USC coach Henry Bibby has thrived on fostering an underdog image for the Trojans. As the final two games of the regular season approach, however, it's clear Bibby wants to distance himself from that role.

Bibby resents that Stanford, a game behind USC in the standings, is considered a solid bet to make the tournament but not the second-place Trojans.

``It's just still interesting how we're the bubble team for the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. We're the bubble team for everything,'' Bibby said. ``I don't think so, but everybody else does. I think we're a team to be reckoned with.''

That's why he wants a sweep this weekend. Only three Pac-10 teams (USC, UCLA, California) have pulled off a road sweep this season, with the Trojans sweeping the Oregon schools.

This should be a more difficult trip. Washington (16-9, 9-7) also has slim hopes of making the tournament and Washington State is still smarting from its 33-point loss to the Trojans in early January.

USC has not earned a sweep in Washington since 1985.

But none of that deters Boseman.

``I just want to leave no doubt in their mind,'' Boseman said. ``As a team, we want to control our own destiny. I'm not going to be happy until I see that we're in.''

USC is fighting for an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Here's some of the factors being considered:

Strengths:

Trojans defeated then No. 6 Arizona, Stanford and California at home.

USC has won 7 of past 9 games, which selection committee considers.

Trojans are in second place, ahead of Cal and Stanford.

Sagarin ratings list schedule as seventh-toughest in nation.

Weaknesses:

Only quality nonconference victory against UNC-Charlotte.

Ranked below Stanford and Cal in power ratings.

Suffered embarrassing losses recently at Arizona and UCLA.

Would they get in as Pac-10's fifth team in tourney?

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Box

Box: ON THE BUBBLE (see text)