HOLD THIS MAYO.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

What's not to relish about how young entreprenuer Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo has created a rare summertime buzz across the USC campus?

Or are star-struck Trojan athletic supporters so blinded by the fact that this kid will only use the institution's course guide as a door stop for a couple months, break the seal on the Galen Center and then end his slip-n-slide party before the NBA's 2008 draft, meaning another O.J. will have knifed them all in the back?

Does the Hollywood bodyguard treatment that Mayo saw Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush get with the pigskinners -- there could be face time at the ESPY Awards and the Playboy Mansion on the same night with thugs pushing away the reporters -- fit into his master plan to pimp out the school? Or to what degree can Tim Floyd convince him that his adult earning potential would be much greater if he stuck around to get a piece of sheepskin?

Without Googling, can you name the guy picked first overall in last week's NBA draft?

If the Long Beach Jam could welcome Dennis Rodman with open wallets, why can't the Long Beach Armada find temporary employment for weekend dad Jose ``Encino Man'' Canseco? Were you at least able to catch him bash up a few Simi Valley men's rec leagues, purging his roid-free rig for the rigors of the Golden Baseball League just to get a couple of at-bats filmed for his upcoming movie project based on his ``Juiced'' book?

Are there any more Chicago White Sox eligible for the American League All-Star roster? How did Jack McDowell and LaMarr Hoyt miss the cut?

If they just folded the tent on the Home Run Derby before Tuesday's game and held a Texas Hold 'Em competiton, wouldn't the ratings be better?

Anyone notice how Landon Donovan is back to tearin' it up in the rough-n-tumble MLS?

If you took a poll of U.S. fans asking their pick of Italy or France in the World Cup final, would the third choice of, ``So what happened to Brazil and Germany?'' draw the most response?

Do the summer league Lakers or Clippers have any use for Mark Hendrickson between starts?

What would be the harm in adding a Hall of Fame arm like Greg ``Don't Call Me Mike'' Maddux to the Dodger rotation, thus creating a reason to let Chad Billingsley return to his natural position with the LasVegas 51s while he works on bringing down those 51-pitch first-inning counts?

If you're Maurice Clarett, about to sign a contract to play for Ohio's Mahoning Valley Hitmen in something called the Eastern Indoor Football League that won't start until the fall of 2007, would you be appreciative or have yourself a good cry?

Are you just about ready to tell Trey Wingo where he can permanently flip that ESPN Mobile phone (left on vibrate, of course)?

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