USC BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: FRANCIS MIGHT PLAY VS. BRUINS.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Ryan Francis did not practice Tuesday and will be a game-time decision against UCLA today because of a bruised knee, though the USC coaching staff and trainer sounded optimistic that the point guard would be able to go.

X-rays on the knee came back negative.

``It's just still tender and I can't really bend it, so that's really bothering me,'' Francis said. ``I just hope that we can get it better by icing it up and getting a little heat on it.''

Francis bruised the knee in practice Monday while trying to take a charge from fellow freshman guard Sead Odzic.

``I think Ryan's going to try to play,'' Floyd said. ``I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play, but I don't want to tell you he's not going to play. I think he will try to play, and how effective he can be I don't know.''

Francis, who made a key steal at the end of the game against Washington State on Saturday, already has made his place as one of the best defenders in the Pacific 10 Conference. He is fourth in the conference with 33 steals.

The Trojans need Francis' defensive energy to disrupt UCLA point guard Jordan Farmar, a Taft High of Woodland Hills product. If Francis cannot go, Floyd said senior Dwayne Shackleford would start at point guard and Gabe Pruitt would handle more of the ball-handling duties.

Francis received treatment and worked out on a bike during practice Tuesday. He will get further treatment from trainer Mark Pocinich today before determining his availability for the game.

``It's a pain thing,'' Pocinich said. ``He can move well but it's just sore, so that tends to limit the muscle a little bit. We'll give him another day to heal, work him out before the game and see what happens.''

--Outsider: Lodrick Stewart came to USC from Seattle thinking as Washington as his rival more than UCLA. However, after three years as a Trojan, he said he is getting into the crosstown rivalry.

``It's kind of growing on me now,'' Stewart said. ``It wasn't that big of a deal to me when I first got here. But everyone makes it such a big deal that I have to take it seriously.''

Stewart remains bothered by the ankle he sprained Jan. 5 against Arizona State. He said it was really sore after Thursday's Washington game, and that he has trouble pushing off for his jump shot. Stewart, who averages 12.6 points per game, scored just four Saturday against Washington State.

--Bad memories: USC's returning players are still haunted by the UCLA games from last year. The Trojans blew an 18-point halftime lead at the Sports Arena to lose 72-69, then were blown out 90-69 in Pauley Pavilion.

``Any time UCLA comes up, I always think of what happened last year,'' Pruitt said. ``We had that game at home and gave it away. I try to watch tape and figure out what we did wrong so we don't do it again.''

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com