Trojans fans hoping against hope for their star player to stay can stop. In college basketball’s most shocking development since Tyler Hansbrough was named Player of the Year, O.J. Mayo is declaring for the NBA Draft.

(They’ll always have their memories - of being bounced by K-State.)

The LOS ANGELES TIMES reports that the USC freshman is one-and-done with his college career. But that doesn’t mean he’s completely abandoning his educational pursuits:

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• The LOS ANGELES TIMES’ ALL THINGS TROJAN learns that if O.J. Mayo does leave early, it could cost Tim Floyd & USC some scholarships.

• Jorge Sedano of Miami’s 790 THE TICKET believes the Big Cactus to be a Big Fraud.

• DEADSPIN motor overs news that one lucky Reds fan will win a new truck - if an impossible home run hits it. But then the vehicle would be dented, and who wants a dented truck?

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• Michael David Smith of AOL FANHOUSE spreads news from USC coach Tim Floyd that keeping O.J. Mayo at school past his freshman year would be “irresponsible“.

• Matt Moseley of ESPN HASHMARKS passes along Tony Romo’s thoughts on Brett Favre’s farewell.

• The WASHINGTON POST rocks on, as Nationals president Stan Karsten feels Boss about the fast sales of Opening Day tickets: “It was like a Springsteen concert.”

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The TUCSON CITIZEN reports that police are looking for an Arizona fan who threw a water bottle at a USC player during Thursday night’s game.

With less than a minute to go in the Trojan’s win in Tucson, USC’s Davon Jefferson made an exclamation dunk, then pointed to the Arizona student section, a.k.a the Zona Zoo.

Well, one Zoomate took exception to the taunt, and tried to tag a Trojan with his liquid. (Video after the jump.) Read more…

ATLANTIC SUN SHINING BRIGHT VERSUS BIG SCHOOL FOES: There’s a new power conference rising in college basketball - the Atlantic Sun.

Within the past week, three teams from the low-major group had hit high marks against their big brethren.

Mercer showed no mercy for USC on Saturday, as the Bears spread it all over O.J. Mayo and his Trojan teammates in a 96-81 undressing. Not only did the upset spoil Mayo’s debut, it also means that SC coach Tim Floyd has yet to win a season opener.A few days earlier, Mercer’s A-Sun mate Gardner-Webb slung into Rupp Arena and de-clawed the Kentucky Wildcats. And last Friday, Belmont came to the Queen City and tranquilized the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Things are all aglow for the Conference Formerly Known As The Trans America Athletic. But can the A-Sun schools keep it up?This week, Florida Gulf Coast faces Iowa, Kennesaw State battles Auburn, and Mercer tries it again against Alabama, this time at home in Macon, GA.

At least the A-Sun is Division I, unlike some other Big Ten losses.

ZEBRAS SOON TO OVERRUN FINE CITIZENS OF LUBBOCK, TX: The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports today that the NCAA is finally getting serious about cleaning up college basketball.

Yeah, policing the recruitment of 8-year-olds, eliminating cash payments to players and snuffing out rampant academic fraud is important. But Myles Brand & Co. has really zeroed in on what ails the great game of college hoops: Foul language by coaches.

The Star reports that college referees this year “will be cleaning up bad language” from college basketball coaches. Apparently this means that coaches will be given a technical foul whenever a dirty word is heard, without warning.

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER adds-on about the move, reporting that some coaches are concerned the NCAA “will award postseason officiating opportunities based on how those rules are applied.”

So THAT explains all those recent zebra sightings in Lubbock, TX.

PLAYER SOURCE - O.J. MAYO BROKE USC TEAMMATE’S JAW: USC designated sh**-stirrer (we love it!) Scott Wolf of the L.A. DAILY NEWS takes time out of skewering USC Football’s “Caesar’s Club” to inform us on O.J. Mayo’s (inevitable) first run-in with a teammate at USC.

Excerpt: “USC coach Tim Floyd said he met with guards O.J. Mayo and Daniel Hackett over the weekend after multiple sources told the Daily News Mayo punched Hackett during a pickup game last month.”

Hackett broke his jaw in the game, but now claims that it was because “Mayo accidentally threw an elbow after a rebound.”

Meanwhile, Wolf disputes Hackett’s account: “Several sources, including a member of the basketball team, said Mayo punched Hackett during the game. No coaches were present.”

USC player source to the LADN: “Yeah, he punched him. They changed the story for the media.” Hackett is out for at least a month and is expected to lose in excess of 25 pounds because of having his jaw wired shut.

(We here at SbB are now claiming 20% of whomever won your pool on when Mayo’s first run-in would be)

“STREET BALL” AND NO DEFENSE GREET O.J. MAYO AT USC: The LOS ANGELES TIMES reports on