With sophomore forward Taj Gibson seemingly in foul trouble or fouling out of every game this season, it’s extremely welcome news that freshman 7-footer Mamadou Diarra will likely get his first playing time since training camp tonight against NAIA’s Fresno Pacific. Diarra underwent hernia surgery on November 5.  Freshman guard Marcus Simmons, out since the South Carolina game on November 17 with a sprained ankle aggravation, will also likely see playing time tonight. Coach Tim Floyd wants to expose the players to “a little bit” of playing time before the final three games that precede Pac-10 play at the end of the month. Other Trojan regulars such as O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson are expected to play minimal minutes tonight, giving way to the likes of walk-ons Ryan Wetherell and Terence Green. Coach Floyd is making the elimination of turnovers a point of emphasis with the team after a disastrous series of gaffes to begin the second half against Memphis which likely cost the team the victory.

Diarra, Simmons expected to play in exhibition (LA Times)