SC NOTEBOOK: TROJANS COULD'VE ATTRACTED NEW FANS.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC rarely plays before sellout crowds at the Sports Arena, let alone the Pacific-10 Conference-record 16,409 who showed up for Thursday's game with UCLA.

For that reason alone, it made the Trojans' 85-76 loss to the Bruins even more difficult for players to absorb, especially since many fans are unlikely to attend another game this season.

``It hurts,'' USC forward David Bluthenthal said. ``We don't really complain (about our attendance), but we had our chance. If there's 3,500 at the next game, what do you expect?

``They came out for us and we let them down.''

USC entered the game ranked ninth in the conference in attendance, averaging 3,808 per contest. Only Washington State (2,815) had a lower figure.

--New goal: USC talked all week about winning the Pac-10 title but could be in danger of not making the NCAA Tournament.

The Trojans (16-6, 6-4) have eight games remaining, with four at the Sports Arena. But two of those home games are against Arizona and No. 2-ranked Stanford. USC probably needs to win five more games to guarantee a tournament berth.

If the Trojans split their last eight games and finish 20-10, they will actually be 19-10 in the eyes of the selection committee, because a victory over Division II BYU-Hawaii does not count under NCAA guidelines.

One factor in USC's favor is a strong power rating. The Trojans are 18th in the Sagarin ratings, 19th in CBS Sportsline and 20th in the Ratings- Percentage Index.

--In pain: This wasn't just another loss for USC coach Henry Bibby. He dropped to 1-10 against his alma mater and relayed his disappointment to the Trojans after the game.

``He said he hurts,'' Bluthenthal said. ``He played there, so he knows what they think of us. I definitely would say this is the toughest loss of the season.''

The reaction from the players wasn't much different.

``We lost to Arizona, Stanford and UCLA,'' forward Brian Scalabrine said. ``To be a great team, you've got to knock these guys off.''

--Growing problem: USC's 3-point shooting continues to be a sore point. The Trojans went 4 for 20 against UCLA and are shooting 33 percent in conference, which is six points below last season.