IT'S A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER USC YOUNGSTERS COME THROUGH IN BIG WAY USC 82, R.I. 54.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

Back when he coached in the Continental Basketball Association, USC coach Henry Bibby could cut players at will if they disappointed him.

It's not the same in college basketball, so Bibby did the next best thing Tuesday night, benching three senior starters for more than 10 minutes of the Trojans' 82-54 victory over Rhode Island before 4,943 at the Sports Arena.

Bibby, who had been contemplating changes since last weekend's victory over Bradley, benched seniors Sam Clancy, David Bluthenthal and Brandon Granville. Granville and Clancy had started every game this season.

``The seniors haven't been playing well or hard and haven't been focused,'' Bibby said. ``The attitude's not there and they don't deserve to start.

``I've heard them say they're saving themselves for the season or saving themselves for Pac-10. After that, what are they saving themselves for?''

With the seniors all playing less than 30 minutes, new starting guards Errick Craven and Desmon Farmer each scored 20 points. Craven went 5 for 5 on 3-pointers, tying a 14-year-old school record for best 3-point percentage.

Farmer, who was suspended from the Bradley game for poor practices, made four 3-pointers and had his first double-double with 10 rebounds.

``I guess it got his attention,'' Bibby said.

As for the seniors, there were different responses regarding the benching.

``I don't know why (we were benched),'' Granville said. ``He didn't tell us a whole lot. He briefly told us before the game. I found out at the shootaround. We haven't talked about it a lot.''

Informed that Bibby said the seniors were saving themselves, Granville said, ``That's not the case with me. I'm not saving anything. I only have a couple games left, it seems like.''

Clancy, who is a candidate for the Wooden and Naismith awards, was nonchalant about the punishment.

``Coach Bibby's been saying all year we haven't played for him,'' Clancy said. ``Yesterday, we didn't have a great practice, so he benched us. I wasn't living up to my end of the bargain, so that's what I deserved.

``We know what we have to do. He tells what he wants done and we haven't done it.''

Of course, the decision might have been considered a little more risky if USC (4-1) weren't playing Rhode Island (3-3).

In the seniors' place, Bibby started Farmer, Nick Curtis and Robert Hutchinson, complementing regular starters Craven and Rory O'Neil. The move worked, as the Trojans jumped out to a 17-5 lead, as Farmer made a trio of 3-pointers and Craven added another.

Clancy, Granville and Bluthenthal entered the game with 9:52 remaining in the first half, and USC leading, 23-9. At first, sending the seniors into the game cold backfired, as the Rams went on a 6-0 run.

``Seriously, I don't know how to explain that,'' Bluthenthal said.

But Bluthenthal made a layup and Clancy hit two straight shots, including a leaning alley-oop tip-in off a pass from Granville that put the Trojans ahead, 29-17.

The Trojans led, 40-27, at halftime and expanded their cushion the restof the game.

Farmer had 14 points in the first half, including a career-high four 3-pointers. He was 4 for 5 on shots from 3-point range.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Desmon Farmer, inserted into the starting lineup after coach Henry Bibby benched one of his regular backcourt players, scored 28 points for USC Tuesday night in an 82-54 victory over Rhode Island at the Sports Arena.

(2) Rhode Island players Marcel Momplaisir, left, and Brian Woodward battle for possession of the basketball with USC's Nick Curtis in the first half of the Rams' game with the Trojans Tuesday night. USC scored a decisive 82-54 victory.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer