Tim Floyd Lashes Out at Mike Wilbon, Other O.J. Mayo Critics

USC basketball coach Tim Floyd appeared on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption today, and after talking briefly about tonight's game, he spent most of his time lashing out at members of the media who have criticized his star recruit, O.J. Mayo.

Floyd's main target was PTI co-host Mike Wilbon (who was off today). Wilbon is a longtime critic of Floyd's dating back to Floyd's time coaching the Bulls, and Floyd had this to say:

"I heard Wilbon was taking shots at him, and I guess if he was a college coach he wouldn't recruit him, but I'll tell you this much: If he wouldn't recruit guys like O.J. Mayo, then I'd like to schedule Mike Wilbon."

Although Floyd acknowledged that he did not have Mayo's phone number, he said Mayo's decision not to give out his number was at his mother's request, because she couldn't afford a cell phone bill and she thought he should be working on his schoolwork rather than talking to coaches on the phone.

Floyd also criticized the high school referee who fell to the floor after Mayo bumped him in a game, saying, "It was a flop. It was nothing more than a flop."

As for reports that Mayo has gotten into fights, Floyd said, "Yeah, he got in a couple fights in high school, but I did too."

When asked if Mayo will stay more than a year, Floyd said he wants Mayo to go to the NBA as soon as he can, adding, "This kid can make a lot of money."

Previously at FanHouse:
O.J. Mayo Ends High School Career With Dunk, Technical
In Soviet Russia, O.J. Mayo Recruits You
Charges Dropped Against USC Recruit O.J. Mayo
USC Star Recruit O.J. Mayo Busted for Marijuana
The Referee Was Tryring To Draw A Charge Against Mayo