Kevin O’Neill USC Fist Series by Erick Blasing

Written by Erick Blasing

Erick and his wife reside in Baraboo, Wisconsin where he teaches social studies at Baraboo High School. In 2016, Erick will begin his first season as a Men’s Assistant for University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, a two year campus that competes in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference. Men’s Basketball Assistant; August 2016-Present UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, Baraboo, WI Assistant Coach Boy’s Basketball; May 2015-August 2016 Baraboo High School, Baraboo, WI Head Coach Varsity Boy’s Basketball; July 2011-May 2015 Sparta High School; Sparta, WI Tripled opportunities for K-3rd grade basketball players in 2013-2014 Led team to 4th & 7th most wins in program’s previous 20 seasons. Hired as one of the youngest head coaches in the state of Wisconsin. Varsity Assistant Girl’s Basketball; November 2009 – April 2011 La Crosse Central High School; La Crosse, WI 8th Grade Assistant Boy’s Basketball; November 2008 – December 2008 Riverside Middle School; Watertown, WI Head Coach 5th-12th Grade Boy’s Basketball; October 2006 – March 2008 Monroe County Christian School; Tomah, WI CAMP COACHING EXPERIENCE University of Wisconsin-Madison Tubby Smith Camps, University of Minnesota University of Iowa North Dakota State University Butler University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Coach Z Hoop Camp by Don Zierdan Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Exposure Camp Snow Valley Iowa Basketball School



Basketball Set Plays



0 Comments(s)



October 7, 2015

Kevin O’Neill USC Fist Series by Erick Blasing

Coach Kevin O’Neill while at USC had a mailing chain for coaches that he used to share information. Last time, I shared the Spread Pick and Roll and this time it is the USC Fist Series.

Follow a year off and a messy divorce from University of Arizona (after serving as interim head coach during Lute Olson’s leave of absence), O’Neill took over USC in 2009-2010. In his first season, O’Neill led the trojans to a 16-14 record (8-10 in conference) and a 5th place finish in the Pac-10 conference.

During the 2010-2011 season, USC improved greatly and finished tied for 4th in the Pac-10 conference with a 10-8 conference record and an overall record of 19-15. The trojans received an at-large bid to the first four of the NCAA tournament in Dayton, OH but lost to eventual final four representative VCU.

USC Fist Series

The third season of O’Neill’s time at USC went very differently from the first two seasons, with a final record of 6-26 and an abysmal 1-17 conference record in the new Pac-12. O’Neill’s final season, 2012-2013 started rocky and ended even rockier with his dismal as coach 17 games into the season. USC’s record at the time of coach O’Neill’s firing was 7-10 (2-2) in conference play. O’Neill is currently an analyst for Fox Sports College Hoops.

In this USC fist series, O’Neill has some great continuity out of a spread 5 out action. There are 3 different actions in the continuity action.

X2 – 1 hits 3 on the wing and cuts to the opposite corner. 2 cuts off his cut to the strong side block.

X2 Continued – If the ball can not be entered into the post, we reverse the ball to 4, and 5 screens down for 1.

X2 Continued – As 4 reverses the ball to 1, 2 sets a back screen for 3 and then 4 sets the down screen for 2.

X3 – With 4 and 5 lifted and 1 in the corner we reverse the ball to 4 and 5 sets a down screen for 1.

X3 Continued – As 4 reverses the ball to 1, 3 sets a back screen for 2 who also comes off 5, and 4 down screens for 3.

X4 – 1 hits two and cuts opposite corner. 4 flashes to post while 3 and 5 fill.
X4 Continu
ed – If the pass goes into the post we are into our post entry principles. 2 cuts hard off the post, 5 drives, and we look to rotate the ball out.

X4 Continued – On the reversal from 2 to 3, 5 sets a screen for 3 and rolls to the basket while 4 fills high.

I hope this helps and enjoy the coming season!!!!

0 Comments