[ad_1]
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Basketball Author
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A particular pregame shock was awaiting the U.S. World Cup qualifying staff Thursday evening, within the type of a pep discuss from Mike Krzyzewski.
Coach Ok’s phrases labored for the Individuals once more.
John Jenkins scored 22 factors on 8-for-9 capturing — together with a 6-of-7 effort from 3-point vary — and the U.S. had little hassle on the way in which to a 105-71 victory over Uruguay in a World Cup Americas Area qualifying recreation, with Krzyzewski sitting courtside to benefit from the present.
“We knew when he got here and talked to us that we needed to placed on a great efficiency and play exhausting,” Jenkins mentioned.
Political Cartoons
Krzyzewski, the now-retired Duke coach, led the U.S. to a few consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016. His message was easy, revolving round how enjoying with USA on a jersey means enjoying with pleasure is a should.
The Individuals listened. They outscored Uruguay 33-13 within the second quarter, turning the sport right into a runaway, and it stayed that means.
“Coach Ok talked to the staff 5 minutes earlier than I went in to speak pregame,” U.S. coach Jim Boylen mentioned. “How was I speculated to observe that? … It was a very cool honor, an awesome second for all of us.”
The win, mixed with Puerto Rico’s win over Brazil in one other qualifier Thursday, put the Individuals alone atop of their qualifying group.
Langston Galloway added 18 factors for the Individuals, who’re possible now simply two wins away from qualifying for subsequent 12 months’s World Cup.
The U.S. (6-1 in qualifying) made 3-pointers on 4 consecutive possessions throughout that second-quarter burst, and by no means appeared again. DaQuan Jeffries scored 16, Dewan Hernandez added 12 and Robert Woodard II had 11 for the Individuals, who had been 15 for 29 from 3-point vary.
David Stockton, whose father John Stockton — the Basketball Corridor of Famer — additionally was in attendance, added 9 assists in 17 minutes for the U.S.
Esteban Batista and Luciano Perodi every had 14 for Uruguay (4-3), which stays firmly within the combine for a World Cup berth.
The U.S. opened the day tied with Brazil within the Group F standings; there are two teams of six groups within the Americas Area, and the highest three in every group — together with the most effective fourth-place staff — will go to the World Cup.
The Individuals can’t begin packing for the World Cup but. However they will in all probability begin occupied with what to deliver.
Apart from the U.S. and Brazil, Group F additionally consists of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Uruguay and Colombia. The opposite group within the Americas Area, Group E, options Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Panama.
Uruguay led 4-0 after 20 seconds, and that was the lone hurrah for the guests from South America. The remainder of the evening was all U.S., which bought its best win but of this qualifying match.
“Tonight, each man we’ve got performed as exhausting as he might play,” Boylen mentioned.
Uruguay: Santiago Vescovi completed with 10 factors. He was an All-SEC participant at Tennessee final season and has began 77 of his 81 video games for the Volunteers in three years there. … Batista, who turns 39 subsequent week, was the one participant on Uruguay’s roster with NBA regular-season expertise. He appeared in 70 video games with Atlanta between 2005 and 2007. … Kiril Waschmann could also be a well-known title to some; he was born in Spain, raised in New York and performed his 4 years of school basketball at Iona.
United States: The Individuals have now used 38 gamers of their seven World Cup qualifying video games. … Galloway has reached double-digits in every of his final 4 World Cup qualifying appearances, the longest such streak amongst these presently on the U.S. roster. … The fifth qualifying window is in November, with the Individuals scheduled to face Brazil on Nov. 11 and Colombia on Nov. 14. FIBA’s schedule signifies the U.S. would be the house staff for these video games, however no website has been introduced.
Uruguay: Hosts Puerto Rico on Monday.
United States: Visits Colombia on Monday.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Source link
