USC's big move sad news for Oregon.

Byline: UO MEN'S NOTEBOOK By Bob Clark The Register-Guard

Oregon coach Ernie Kent almost made it sound like he's sorry the Ducks are going to be playing in the Sports Arena for the final time Thursday night.

Then again, consider his perspective. More than the thousands of empty seats or the occasional sparrow circling overhead, Kent remembers that game in the Sports Arena on Feb. 28, 2002, when the Ducks beat the Trojans on a late basket by Fred Jones to clinch Oregon's first league title since 1945.

He's also not looking forward to the Trojans moving into the Galen Center, a facility on the USC campus that seats 10,258 and is scheduled to be open in time for next season.

`The other place is going to be tougher to play in,' Kent said. `It has to be.'

USC basketball has often been the neglected tenant at the Sports Arena, dedicated in 1959 on its site near the Coliseum south of downtown Los Angeles. The Trojans have had to set game times based on dog shows and lesser events. And that was long after the Lakers had moved out.

Certainly, the facility has had its big moments and hosted celebrated events. The NCAA Final Four was there in 1968 and 1972, and the building hosted boxing during the 1984 Olympics. John Kennedy was nominated as the democratic candidate for president there in 1960.

Muhammad Ali, when he was still Cassius Clay, fought in the Sports Arena and Bruce Springsteen, Kiss and Billy Joel all entertained there.

And for about the past 25 years, USC has talked about getting out of the Sports Arena and into a facility on its campus, just like every other team in the Pac-10.

USC coach Tim Floyd said the construction of the Galen Center played into his decision to accept the job. He didn't say he wouldn't have joined the Trojans, but he acknowledged he'd heard the horror stories of previous USC coaches trying to convince recruits that there was a new facility on the drawing board to replace the Sports Arena, then having a recruiter from another school make light of that promise to recruits.

`It's all about commitment,' Floyd said, listing the estimated cost of $147 million for USC's new arena as a sign of that.

Knowing that Oregon has replaced USC as the school that can't seem to get going on a new arena might also be another reason Kent hates to see the Trojans bid farewell to the Sports Arena, but he said there are more practical reasons.

`We've always tended to play well there,' Kent said. `I don't know whether it's because you're in Los Angeles and it's warm and sunny, or so many of the players have families down there for those games, or it's because we have a lot of donors and alums down there supporting us.

`Even though there's not always been a lot of people (in attendance), it's been good for us and we've seemed to have more energy down there.'

Graduation coming

Both of Oregon's seniors, Brandon Lincoln and Matt Short, plan to finish their degree requirements this term. Lincoln, who never redshirted and thus is graduating in less than four academic years, needs a heavy load of credits this term to finish his political science degree, while Short has it somewhat easier.

Because he redshirted his first year at Oregon, Short is in his fifth academic year and needed only one elective this term to complete requirements for his political science degree. He's taking a class in jewelry making that meets Tuesday and Thursday, and is worth four credits.

`I took an intro class (in jewelry) last term and did really well at it and enjoyed it, so they brought me up to an intermediate-advanced class this term,' Short said.

If making rings and necklaces doesn't sound too rigorous, remember it hasn't been that way every term.

`I don't feel guilty about it at all,' Short said. `After I've done all my math classes and science classes and all the English papers I've written, I'm more than happy to just kick back.'

Civil War set

Oregon's game at Oregon State on March 4 will tip off at 5 p.m. and be televised on the Beaver Sports Network (KVAL in the Eugene-Springfield area).

The start time for the regular-season finale couldn't be set until CBS and FSN made their selections for telecasts on that `wild-card' Saturday that ends the Pac-10 schedule. The UCLA at Stanford game will be aired by CBS at 1 p.m. with FSN then showing the Washington at Arizona game at 3 p.m.

There are also tickets remaining on sale, priced at $23, for the 325th men's basketball Civil War. They are available at the Gill Coliseum ticket office, at osubeavers.com and (800) GOBEAVS.

Free points

Oregon is still at the bottom of the Pac-10 in free-throw percentage (68.0 overall, 69.7 in league games), but the Ducks have shot 86.2 (56-of-65) over the past three games.

`That comes from being in a rhythm,' Kent said, repeating a word he often uses to describe good offense. `It's part of having that confidence and being in rhythm. There's a harmony to it all.'

Aaron Brooks is seventh in the Pac-10 in free-throw percentage individually at 80.7, and is sixth at 82.2 in league games.

CAPTION(S):

USC is playing its final games in the Sports Arena before moving to the Galen Center, an on-campus venue that is sure to be more intimidating for opponents. The Ducks clinched the 2002 Pac-10 Conference title in the Sports Arena.