O’Neil Glad to Reclaim Center Stage

Rory O’Neil has never been the rah-rah type at USC. But that did not mean the Trojans’ stoic big man was without emotion.

And now that the senior center has regained his starting position, O’Neil is just as relieved as he was downcast when he lost it midway through the season under interim Coach Jim Saia.

“It does put some worries aside,” O’Neil said Wednesday. “I do know my role now and I understand the system better now.

“It’s just an adjustment, not really a new system.”

O’Neil started the first 15 games of the season, was relegated to coming off the bench for the next six contests and has became part of the pregame introductions the last three games.

“It was pretty tough, but Coach Saia and the other coaches stayed on top of me,” O’Neil said. “Now, I’m a lot more comfortable and confident.

“[My confidence] is up there. I don’t know if it’s as big as it was at the beginning of the year, but it’s better.”

In 18 starts, O’Neil is averaging 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, compared to averages of 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in games when he comes off the bench.

“Rory’s very comfortable with structure,” Saia said. “He doesn’t like change. Now he knows what the deal is: He’s my starting four-man.”

Saia has decided to start O’Neil, alongside forward Jeff McMillan and guards Gabe Pruitt, Lodrick Stewart and Nick Young, for the remainder of the season.

O’Neil started his senior season with career averages of 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Still, in Pacific 10 Conference play this season, O’Neil is shooting 46.9% from the field, 21.1% from three-point territory and 50% from the free-throw line. His career averages before this season were 45.5% from the field, 35.9% on three-point attempts and 71.4% on free throws.

O’Neil can make up for that tonight at Stanford, which recruited him especially hard out of Ridgecrest Burroughs High. In nine games against the Cardinal, O’Neil has averaged 10.4 points -- on 59.1% shooting from the field -- 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24 minutes.

The Cardinal lost leading scorer Dan Grunfeld for the season Saturday when he tore a knee ligament.

“We feel we can beat them on their court,” said O’Neil, who, with 125 blocks, needs four to pass Lorenzo Orr for second place on the USC all-time list. Sam Clancy holds the school record with 195 blocks.

*

TONIGHT

at Stanford, 7

Site -- Maples Pavilion.

Radio -- KMPC (1540).

Records -- USC 10-14 overall, 3-10 in Pacific 10 Conference; Stanford 13-9, 7-5.

Update -- A Stanford victory will even the all-time series, 113-113.