USC's O'Neill shares fans' frustration over mounting losses

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By MICHAEL LEV

LOS ANGELES ? In the world of sports according to USC coach Kevin O'Neill, teams typically sell one of two things: winning or hope.

The injury-riddled Trojans haven't offered up much of the former of late, losing six in a row to fall to 5-13. But there is optimism for next season, when the roster will be replenished.

USC coach Kevin O'Neill is just as frustrated as the fans with the Trojans' poor performance this season.

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"I feel like we're going to be a good team next year. But fans don't want to hear that right now," O'Neill said after practice Tuesday. "And to be honest with you, I don't want to talk about next year right now. I'm focused on trying to get these guys a chance to win in every game."

USC's next opportunity comes Thursday at Oregon (13-5, 4-2 Pac-12), which is coming off its second road sweep of Arizona and Arizona State since they joined the conference in 1978.

Trojans fans understandably are unsatisfied with their team's performance to date. Many of them would like O'Neill, who's in his third season, to be fired.

O'Neill is fully aware of their frustration.

"I'm frustrated too," O'Neill said. "The players are frustrated. I'm sure it's hard for them (the fans). I would just tell them to keep supporting this team and keep supporting these players ? spur them on as best they can."

Despite their struggles, freshman Byron Wesley said the Trojans feel support on campus.

"Everybody's just saying keep our heads up," Wesley said. "They know we have a lot of talent over here. They know that sooner or later, this program will get turned around."

FULLER UPDATE

Junior forward Aaron Fuller, battling two bad shoulders, did not practice Tuesday, and it's uncertain whether he'll be available to face Oregon.

Fuller played against UCLA on Sunday despite not practicing all week. If his condition doesn't improve, it's possible he'll have to have surgery before season ends.

Fuller played 23 minutes against the Bruins but had only two rebounds, tying his season low.

He has seven rebounds in his past three games ? a total he matched or eclipsed eight times in the first 14 games.

NOTES

Center James Blasczyk (foot) practiced after missing all of last week. ...

USC has scored fewer than 20 points in the first half six times in the past 10 games.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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