SC NOTEBOOK: DUPREE, BIBBY MEET.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

Troubled USC forward Jerry Dupree met with head coach Henry Bibby on Monday night to discuss the player's attitude and other recent problems, after Bibby suspended him from Sunday's game against Oregon and also kept him out of practice Monday afternoon.

Bibby said after the meeting he was tired of addressing Dupree's situation.

``I don't want to talk about that,'' Bibby said. ``I'm done talking about it. He's still on the team. It's good.''

Dupree, who has tendinitis in his right foot, missed treatment Monday, though he did lift weights with teammates. Before they met, Bibby said Dupree could help the Trojans and might even play against UCLA on Wednesday.

``If he's healthy, mentally and physically, he's pretty good,'' Bibby said. ``That's what I've been waiting for. I think another day off helps him get his focus back to where he can play.''

Whether Dupree will practice today is unknown. He was supposed to practice Monday before Bibby held him out. Dupree limped noticeably after Friday's practice, then was thrown out of Saturday's workout.

Dupree had been academically ineligible, causing him to miss six games, and has been thrown out of several practices by Bibby. He's also battled injuries, which also has limited his practice time.

His teammates don't seem too worried about his absence, though they believe he would help the Trojans (8-9, 4-5 Pacific-10 Conference).

``Jerry would be an addition to the team,'' guard Errick Craven said. ``If he was with us, it would make us even better. It's all up to Jerry. He has been going through injuries, but he still could be a big factor to the team. He needs to get his mind to it.''

--Curtis rests: At the advice of trainers, forward Nick Curtis sat out Monday's practice to rest his sore heel, which bothered him against Oregon.

``It hurt during the game,'' Curtis said.

Bibby will decide whether Curtis starts against UCLA. He has come off the bench the past two games.

``We don't know if he's ready to play, he's questionable,'' Bibby said.

--Hold the party: Though USC defeated then-No. 22 Oregon, Craven said the mood was somber Monday, especially with another game Wednesday.

``We really didn't celebrate,'' he said. ``The players are more relieved we got the win. Coming off a win like that, we have to bounce back because you can't be sluggish against UCLA. If you are, you don't belong on the team.''

--No advantage: Even though UCLA has lost eight in a row, Bibby said the Trojans, who have dropped five of seven, aren't in much better shape heading into the crosstown-rivalry game.

``We're struggling, too,'' he said. ``I don't think we can say one win (over Oregon) makes it for us.''

--No sympathy: Craven said he didn't feel sorry for UCLA even though he grew up playing with several Bruins, including forward Dijon Thompson.

``They were getting more praises than me when they signed with UCLA and I signed with USC,'' Craven said. ``I have some friends there. It's not like we're enemies. There's respect between the players but no sympathy.''