Trojans count on Clancy as anchor for offense.

Byline: JOHN CONRAD Register-Guard Sports Editor 

At some point in the game, Sam Clancy will sit down.

But pay attention or you might not notice, because Clancy is averaging 38.5 minutes per game in conference play. If anything, USC coach Henry Bibby may be inclined to play him even longer when the Trojans and Oregon battle for the Pac-10 Conference men's basketball title on Thursday in Los Angeles.

"When I came here we didn't have a lot of depth," Clancy said. "Coach Bibby told me I couldn't come out of the game if I play well. I guess that's an attitude I've learned here. You can't get tired during a basketball game."

Bibby and the Trojans never get tired of watching Clancy play.

Clancy had a string of 11 double-doubles snapped on Saturday as USC lost at California. He's had 17 double-doubles this year, and to give you an idea how many that is, the Ducks have had eight as a team. Clancy has had 35 double-doubles in his career, he's scored 20 or more points 25 times and he's had 10 or more rebounds 38 times. He's also the USC career leader in blocked shots with 183, and he's played 40 minutes or more 14 times.

Clancy is averaging 20.9 points and 9.9 rebounds in conference play and had 25 points and 11 rebounds against the Ducks in Eugene despite Oregon winning by four points.

"He has to be highly considered for conference player of the year," UO coach Ernie Kent said. "He's having a monster year. He's great offensively, he's a diligent rebounder and he's a tireless worker. Given the minutes he's played and how well he's held up all year, you don't have to say anything more."

Clancy is one of three seniors, along with Brandon Glanville and David Bluthenthal, who give the Trojans a tremendous edge in experience. All were on the USC team that made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament last year, when Clancy averaged 18 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.0 blocks over four games.

"Sam has meant everything to our program," Bibby said. "We aren't here without Sam Clancy. He brings intensity and a follow-through mentality that we've lacked here."

The Sports Arena is expected to be sold out for the UO-USC game, and that's much different than when the 6-foot-7 Clancy arrived after a standout career at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio.

"That didn't bother me," Clancy said. "I wanted to go somewhere where it was warm because I was tired of the weather around Cleveland. Big East and Big Ten schools recruited me, but when USC got involved and I took one look, I decided that was the place for me. I love everything about being here, but my favorite is the weather."

But Clancy didn't go to USC to surf.

"I knew USC wasn't a basketball school and they were trying to change things," he said. "It finally started to show last year. Playing like we did in the NCAA is probably the best thing that I've ever done in my sports career. Winning a conference championship on top of that would really be special."

The Ducks know Clancy will be a load.

"We've got to try to limit his touches," Oregon forward Robert Johnson said. "He's a great player who can hurt you in a lot of ways. If we can limit some touches, and if he misses some shots, then we've got to box out hard and play really physical."

Clancy is looking forward to a rematch with the Ducks.

"Oregon is so explosive," he said. "They get up and down the floor so fast, and they can shoot so well. You just have to hope they are missing their shots, and their defense is better than people think because of how fast they play. It's going to be a wild game and really close, maybe down to the last second.

"Freddie Jones is really out there. His shot has gotten a lot better, and he's at the top of his career right now."

The same could be said of Clancy, who originally declared for the NBA draft after last season but pulled back.

You'd have to say his final year of college basketball has been time well spent. The Trojans hope it pays off with a Pac-10 title.

CAPTION(S):

Sam Clancy, who was enticed from Ohio to USC because of the warm weather, has become one of the dominating scorers and rebounders in the Pac-10, averaging 20.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in conference play. BRIAN DAVIES / The Register-Guard