SC NOTEBOOK: TROJANS' BIBBY SAYS, ``I'M NOT LOOKING AT ANY OTHER JOBS'.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC coach Henry Bibby took his strongest position in years Wednesday by saying he has no intention of leaving for another head-coaching position and will remain with the Trojans.

``I'm happy at USC and I'm not looking at any other jobs,'' Bibby said. ``I have four years left on my contract and I'm committed to USC.''

Bibby's name has been linked in some reports this season to the Nevada-Las Vegas job, although the Rebels are heavily courting Rick Pitino. Last year, Bibby spoke with Memphis State about its position, which eventually went to John Calipari.

But Bibby, who signed a contract extension last August that goes through the 2004-05 season, reiterated Wednesday that he does not intend to apply for any other jobs.

``I'm not interested,'' Bibby said.

--Tournament standing: The Trojans (18-8, 8-6) are actually in a much better position for making the NCAA Tournament than one would think, even though they are in fifth place in the Pacific-10 Conference.

USC is ranked 26th in the ratings-percentage index, which is a power- rating formula used by the NCAA selection committee.

The highest-rated team ever to be excluded from the tournament was Oklahoma, ranked 33rd in 1994. Last year, only one team in the top 40 (Wake Forest, No. 34) did not make the field.

In addition, the Trojans are seeded between sixth and eighth in most of the mock brackets, which would comfortably place them in the tournament.

Based on their current RPI ranking, the Trojans should be able to sneak into the tournament with two more victories.

``The season is pointless if we don't make the tournament,'' forward David Bluthenthal said. ``We're almost at 20 wins and that's something we want to do.''

--Home-court advantage? USC plays Stanford at the Sports Arena, but the Trojans have not practiced or played in the facility since their game against Arizona on Feb. 17.

--Who's the leader? Perhaps the Achilles' heel of the Trojans has been their lack of a true leader, so Bibby said he is assuming the responsibility for the rest of the season.

``We have a team that doesn't have a leader, so I'm taking that role,'' Bibby said. ``Normally, somebody emerges as a leader. We haven't had one since I've been here. It's tough to be a leader. Very few kids want to take that responsibility.''

It's understandable if Bibby sounds frustrated, because senior forward Brian Scalabrine said he didn't want the role.

``I don't consider myself a leader,'' Scalabrine said. ``I consider Bibby a leader. We're at our best when he runs the team.''

--Scalabrine sacrifices: Scalabrine said he shaved his head last weekend because Bibby asked him to lose something for the team. He also said he has stopped playing cards with his teammates.

``I want to give up something I like, and this is big, because it means I won't be playing cards with them again,'' Scalabrine said.

--Trepagnier's trials: Shooting guard Jeff Trepagnier said he is still struggling to regain his form after missing part of the season while under NCAA suspension.

``I haven't found my rhythm on my jump shot,'' Trepagnier said. ``So I'm out there doing what I can. I try to make some plays and gamble on defense.''

--Stopping Casey: Trepagnier appears set to be given the task of guarding Stanford's leading scorer, Casey Jacobsen, tonight. In the teams' first meeting, Brandon Granville spent most of the game defending Jacobsen, who had 22 points.

``I think Casey will be the key to the game,'' Trepagnier said. ``I want that challenge.''

USC vs. NO. 1 STANFORD

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Sports Arena.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2, 690-AM.

USC (18-8, 8-6) update: Forward Brian Scalabrine (strained hip) practiced Wednesday for the first time this week and is expected to play, although he might not be 100 percent. Even though the Trojans are fighting for an NCAA bid, it is probably more important they stay close than actually upset the Cardinal tonight, to keep their power rating high (26th). USC has not defeated a No. 1 team since beating UCLA in 1970, 87-86.

Stanford (25-1, 13-1) update: The Cardinal barely held off the Trojans in Palo Alto last month 77-71. Casey Jacobsen, whose brothers attended Crescenta Valley High, had 22 points. Former Harvard-Westlake star twins Jason and Jarron Collins also had nice games. Jason had 20 points and Jarron added 13. Stanford is going for its fourth straight victory over the Trojans at the Sports Arena.

- Scott Wolf

CAPTION(S):

box

Box: USC vs. NO. 1 STANFORD (see text)