BRIEFLY\USC may have Millers crossing.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

The USC football team begins its spring drills today with high optimism for the 1996 season.

"We have a lot of work to do during spring practice, so we're looking forward to getting started," USC coach John Robinson said. "There will be competition at key positions, we'll be experimenting with some personnel switches and we'll be putting in some new offensive and defensive formations."

Several key positions must be filled. The most interesting competition will be at No. 1 receiver with returner Larry Parker, now a junior; senior Chris Miller; and former Westlake star Billy Miller.

The 1993 agent-sponsored shopping spree by Florida State football players three years ago will cost the Seminoles little. The football program was put on probation for one year by the NCAA, but the penalties could have been a lot worse. The Seminoles lost no scholarships and remain eligible for bowl games, television appearances and the national title in 1996.

Former NFL running back Sammie Smith pleaded guilty in Orlando, Fla., to two federal charges of possession and distribution of cocaine and faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

BASEBALL

Baseball owners are confident they finally can adopt new revenue sharing rules at their Phoenix meetings this week, giving extra cash to small-market clubs. Owners expect to pass their 22 percent plan on Thursday.

Eleven members of the University of Southern Maine baseball team who bet on college sports were suspended by the NCAA for periods ranging from four games to the entire season, the school announced.

TENNIS

The International Tennis Federation said it would press its case of alleged cocaine use by aging players Mats Wilander and Karel Novacek. The two players lost their bid to halt the sport's world governing body from pursuing its case against them when a High Court in London declined to issue an injunction.

MOTOR SPORTS

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has canceled a licensing agreement that allowed Championship Auto Racing Teams to use the name "IndyCar" for its race series. It's the latest volley in the feud between CART and the new Indy Racing League, which was formed by IMS president Tony George and will run the second event on its five-race series this weekend at Phoenix.

ETC.

Philadelphia's NHL and NBA teams got new owners in a megadeal that includes two major arenas and removes unpopular 76ers owner Harold Katz.

Cable television giant Comcast Corp. agreed to terms with Flyers owner Ed Snider in a sale that creates a new company that will own the Flyers, the 76ers, the teams' current arena and the one they will move into next season. . . .

Former heavyweight boxer Tommy Morrison pleaded no contest to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery. Morrison was charged last October following an incident at his ex-girlfriend's home. He was scheduled to go to trial on Thursday. . . .

Girondins Bordeaux produced the upset of the European soccer season, beating AC Milan 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup.