SC NOTEBOOK: USC'S CROWDS FAR FROM MADDING.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

The fact USC snapped its four-game losing streak at the Sports Arena didn't mean everyone was happy after the Trojans defeated California over the weekend.

Point guard Derrick Craven echoed the sentiments of other players when he criticized the crowd, which was announced at 5,475.

``Even though we won we didn't have people out, it's kind of disappointing,'' Craven said. ``I think we should have more fans.

``At the beginning of the game, it feels dead here. At Cal, it's rumbling before the game. (USC coach Henry Bibby) calls us the Globetrotters. We don't have a home.''

The crowd figures to be slightly bigger Wednesday when USC hosts UCLA. But with USC (11-13, 6-9) and UCLA (11-12, 7-8) sporting losing records, it's not exactly must-see basketball.

But Craven said he expects more energy against the Bruins, especially because USC is defending its three-game winning streak against UCLA.

``The guys on the team now haven't experienced too many defeats against UCLA. It's kind of different,'' Craven said. ``The majority of the team doesn't realize how difficult it was before. The guys before like (former point guard) Brandon Granville, they hardly beat UCLA.''

Even with the three-game winning streak, USC has lost 10 of its 15 games to the Bruins.

``We've gotten UCLA three games in a row and they'll be gunning for us,'' forward Rory O'Neil said.

--Accepting role? In his rare speaking appearance, freshman guard Lodrick Stewart claimed he adjusted to losing his starting spot and coming off the bench.

``At first it was hard but I've got three more years of this,'' Stewart said.

That assumes that Stewart and his twin brother, Rodrick, remain at USC. They've already experienced academic difficulties and it's no guarantee they will return next season.

Although Stewart is from Seattle and defeating Washington was his top goal this season, he said he's learning about the crosstown rivalry with UCLA.

``UCLA, that's another game I want to win,'' he said.

--United front: After winning two of their past three games, the Trojans say they feel like team chemistry is finally improving.

``We're getting together,'' Craven said. ``It's a shame it took this long.''

--Slow start: Although USC beat Cal, the Trojans fell behind 11-3 and 14-6, which wasn't exactly how Bibby planned it.

``Our emphasis was to be solid at the beginning of the game,'' Bibby said. ``It was a must-win game for us.''

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com