Guenther Living Off the Grid Now

Gregg Guenther could only smile at the pageantry around him in Heritage Hall.

It’s rivalry week and USC is preparing to face UCLA in football, but Guenther left that part of his life behind last summer. Guenther, who came to USC in 2000 on a football scholarship and joined the basketball team after the bowl season three years running, traded in his shoulder pads for good when he became a scholarship basketball player.

The senior will start for the first time this season tonight against Brigham Young -- after the Trojans and Bruins have played at the Rose Bowl.

“I’ve thought about it but playing two sports, ironic stuff happens all the time,” said Guenther, who will start at power forward in place of senior Jeff McMillan, who suffered a broken left hand in the Trojans’ loss at La Salle on Tuesday.

“I miss playing [football] with the guys a little, hanging out with them, practicing. But I expected it. It was nothing I wasn’t prepared for.”

McMillan’s injury, however, was totally unexpected.

“It’s a huge blow,” said Coach Henry Bibby. “It hurts. We have to establish some other people. I think it gives other guys a chance to step up.”

That means other post players, such as lanky senior Nick Curtis and explosive freshman Emanuel Willis.

But given Guenther’s experience and physical play, and BYU’s plodding half-court style, the erstwhile tight end figures to get significant time against the Cougars.

“There are teams he can play against and teams he can’t play against,” Bibby said. “I think this is one of those teams he can play against.”

Guenther, who underwent back surgery as a freshman, was bothered by a sore back in the first weeks of practice but said he was fine. He is averaging four points and four rebounds in 11.7 minutes.

*

USC TONIGHT

vs. Brigham Young, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- KMPC (1540), KSPA (1510), XEMM (800).

Records -- USC 1-2, BYU 1-4.

Update -- Coach Henry Bibby said he expected to start a three-guard lineup with freshmen Gabe Pruitt and Nick Young joining senior Derrick Craven in the backcourt, along with Gregg Guenther and senior center Rory O’Neil. BYU and USC have a common opponent in North Carolina, which routed the Cougars, 86-50, in the Maui Invitational before beating the Trojans, 97-65, in Chapel Hill.

Tickets -- (213) 740-4672.