DUPREE LOOKS TO DUPLICATE SUCCESS HE'LL START AS USC EYES UPSET OF STANFORD.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

For most of this year, USC forward Jerry Dupree lived off his performance in last year's Pacific-10 Conference tournament, because there was little to say about this season.

Dupree was the Trojans' biggest surprise in a tournament semifinal victory over Oregon, when he made 6 of 7 shots and scored 12 points as the Trojans upset the ninth-ranked Ducks.

Perhaps with that effort in mind, USC coach Henry Bibby is expected to start Dupree today against No. 15 Stanford in a first-round game of the Pac-10 tournament at Staples Center.

``A lot of people tell me to play like I did last year. But that was last year,'' Dupree said. ``I'm going to try and give it more than last year. Last year is last year.''

After missing six games when he was academically ineligible and having his work ethic questioned by Bibby, Dupree seems to have settled into a groove since a meeting with him, his father and Bibby last month.

``I've learned a lot. Settling down and watching and listening to the coaches,'' Dupree said. ``Coach Bibby knew what he was doing when he sat me down (earlier in the season).''

Dupree has been described as USC's ``X-factor'' according to guard Errick Craven. He's averaged double figures (13.7 points) the past three games for the first time in his career, and Bibby finally is paying compliments.

``Jerry's playing very, very well,'' Bibby said. ``He's not where he was, but he's playing well. Hopefully, Jerry will get it done (against Stanford).''

But Bibby is not tossing bouquets to Dupree and the Trojans (10-17). He said he can't press Stanford (23-7) like USC did in three victories last season because this year's team is too passive.

``You have to have smarts and basketball savvy,'' Bibby said. ``We don't have that desire that last year's team had. This team is kind of a laid-back team.''

Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said the Trojans are more athletic with Dupree, who didn't play in the teams' last meeting, a 73-67 Cardinal victory three weeks ago at the Sports Arena.

Dupree also has switched positions in the past two weeks, going back to power forward.

``He hurt us last year, but I'm not sure there's anyone who didn't,'' Montgomery said. ``Dupree will probably play a lot more (power forward) and we have not seen him in that spot before. That changes the way they play.''

The Trojans defeated Stanford 103-78 in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament last year but Bibby said the Cardinal showed little desire.

``Stanford gave in last year,'' he said. ``They knew we'd beaten them (twice) and there wasn't a lot of fight in that game.''

This year, the roles are reversed. Stanford swept the Trojans in conference play and is going for its third victory today.

``In my mindset there is no tomorrow,'' Bibby said. ``Your season's on the line. It's a one-game season.''

--Note: USC received a commitment from Chester Giles, a junior forward from Rainier Beach High in Seattle. He is a teammate of twin guards Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart, who signed with USC in November.

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- Scott Wolf