U.S. vs. Mexico
San Antonio, Texas – 7:41 pm CST:
Mexico was overmatched and undersized the entire game, but after getting the jitters out in the first quarter (only scoring 6 points), they ended with a respectable 32 points in the last three quarters. It looked like Team USA had gotten used to the smaller FIBA ball (only 29” in circumference) after their shooting performance. Coach Capel was also able to spread out the minutes with a comfortable lead the whole game, only one Team USA player (Amir Williams) played under 10 minutes. Amir looked a step slow tonight with a large wrap around his knee, no word on an injury though. After allowing USVI to score 63 points, Coach Capel’s bunch locked down their defense, only allowing 38 points and holding Mexico’s leading scorer (Pereda Quintero) to only 7 points.
The United States sends starters of 5-Kyrie Irving (Duke commit), 6-Vander Blue (Marquette commit), 11-Austin Rivers (Duke, Florida, and UNC recruit), 12-Josh Hairston (Duke commit), and 15-Pat Young (Florida commit) to meet Mexico. Young gets the tip back to Kyrie who gives it off to Austin, then runs around a screen to the corner and knocks down a 3. Kyrie looks much more comfortable shooting the ball tonight as he steps into the shot, in rhythm, and knocks it down. After a 24 second violation (FIBA rules have a shot-clock of only 24 seconds unlike the NCAA whose is 35) by Mexico, Josh Hairston hits a fade-away jumper after a nice post move, 5-0 USA. Mexico commits 24 second violations on three straight possessions and a after a steal and dunk, followed by an and-one dunk from Josh, Team USA’s lead is 16-0. More of the same, as the Mexico team looks nervous in the opening minutes of the game, committing careless fouls and rarely even getting a shot off on the offensive end. The first quarter closes with back to back 3-pointers from Syracuse commit Trevor Cooney, Team USA leads 36-6.
Amir Williams starts the second quarter for Young, but is quickly replaced by Young who joins Kyrie, Austin, Quincy Miller, and LeBryan Nash on the floor. Two layups on straight possessions for Quincy after air balls, on fall away 3-point attempts, by Mexico; Team USA leads 44-8. Great chemistry between Kyrie and Austin as Kyrie finds Austin in opposite corners for two open threes. A third three in under 1:30 for Austin followed by a post-move and layup from Josh and the USA lead is now 59-13. At half, Team USA leads Mexico 61-13 with Duke commits and recruits represented very well. Kyrie, Austin, and Josh are each 4/5 from the field for a total of 30 points; Kyrie also with 3 assists and 3 rebounds.
The third quarter begins with a quick drive and layup by Kyrie. The Mexican team is overmatched in every aspect of the game: size, strength, speed, and ability. Austin takes the ball to the rack on two straight possessions, one for an easy layup and he draws a foul on the other. Austin has absolutely no wasted movement in his smooth game. He plays the game effortlessly, much like his NBA idol Dwyane Wade. Kyrie stretches Team USA’s lead to 72-17 after a pull-up three from the top of the key. Great effort by Duke commits Kyrie and Josh as they continue to dive for loose balls even though Team USA is up 55 points. Mexico sends a rotation to the floor that includes three players under 6’ tall, with one guarding 6’7” Lebryan Nash. Nash quickly thanks them with a turn-around dunk and smile toward Coach Santos. The lead is 61 at the end of the third: Team USA 84, Mexico 23.
No starters play for Team USA in the fourth quarter, but Quincy Miller, Cooney, and Nash are still dominant. After a flurry of deep threes from Mexico cuts the lead to 58, Quincy answers with two flushes off misses by Cooney and Jereme Richmond. A Quincy Miller 3 from the corner puts USA up 99-38 and Richmond follows on the next possession with a layup. The final is Team USA 114, Mexico 38. Team USA finishes with 7 players (Irving, Cooney, Miller, Richmond, Nash, Rivers, and Hairston) in double-figures led by Rivers and Cooney with 16 a piece. Team USA shoots a staggering 62% from the field and holds Mexico to 21%. Duke commits play very well with Kyrie Irving finishes with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Hairston finishes with 11 points and 4 rebounds. Between them the missed a total of 3 shots and neither played in the fourth quarter.
Interviews with Coach Jeff Capel, Coach Paul Hewitt, and Kyrie Irving coming soon.
Written By: Big Pappa
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