USA Improves to 3-0 at World University Games

In Kazan, Russia, the Americans are currently competing in the World University games and yesterday, they found themselves in a tight match against Sweden. At halftime, they were up 37-27 after having found themselves down a little earlier. Having blown out their first two opponents, this was looking like the first real test the USA would face at the games.

In the second half though, they didn’t let the Swedes get any closer than they had been at half time and won that second part of the game by eight points and close out the Swedes in convincing fashion. The final score was 83-65.

Pacing the team in scoring was USA’s third different top scorer in three games. Indiana’s Yogi Ferrell, who in their first game set the team record for assists in a game, led the team with 20 points. He shot 6 of 13 from the field and four of seven from beyond the three point line. Treveon Graham of VCU also had a very good game, in 18 points he scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

After leading the Americans in their second game, Doug McDermott had a much more quiet game three, only scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds. It really seems like the United States’ team has taken the philosophy that whoever is feeling it will get the touches and tonight, that was Ferrell. This team is almost devoid of any big egos and they all seem to enjoy playing with each other out on the court.

The Swedes kept it close by shooting better than the American’s opponents had in the first two games and managing to limit their turnovers to only nine. The USA is dangerously offensively all around but especially in transition.

So the US’ record is now a perfect 3-0. Their next test is today, July 11th, against the 2-1 Australians. They will then wrap up the preliminary round against Canada on July 12th. The Canadians are also currently 3-0.