USA vs Japan World Univ Game

[Wbbfan1]

USA Down 10 points midway through 1st quarter 20-10. USA guards playing poor defense and Japan hitting their 3 point shots.

Japan now leads 26-11. USA doesn't know how to defend the quick Japan guards. Japan's smaller lineup doing a great job on defense even though USA has significant size advantage.

Japan leads 30-14 end of 1st quarter. Japan guards blowing by USA's defense for easy layups and making their 3 point shots. USA needs to tighten up their defense, otherwise Japan blows out Team USA

 

[iri10]

LOL, thus far they're being lit up, inside and out.

 

[rvwsleep]

The USA team has the same look on their faces that UConn's opponents have when playing the Huskies. Bewilderment.
Japan is hitting a high percentage of 3's and when the USA comes out to guard them, Japan goes around them for easy layups. Japan is quick, not much size but can hit the open shot. Much more of a team than the USA right now.

 

[DaddyChoc]

dang I need to stop my DVR...

 

[Wbbfan1]

USA cuts into Japan's lead now trail 37-33 with 3 1/2 minutes left in 2nd quarter. USA went to a zone defense and Japan's not getting as many layups

 

[rvwsleep]

Japan scores at will in the first quarter, 30-16. We should be going down low to Russell on every play. She has 5-6" on the player guarding her. The problem is our guards show little interest in even looking to the post and Russell is not aggressive enough in positioning for the ball. The US is getting back into the game. Shots are starting to fall and Japan is starting to miss. Russell should have a 30 pt 20 reb game just by standing underneath the basket. She's that much bigger than anyone on Japan.

 

[rvwsleep]

43-36 Japan at the half. The US should be able to pull this one out. Japan will not continue to shoot like they did in the first quarter. We just have to play a little smarter.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Jordin Canada& Courtney Williams are considered quick players, Japan's guards are able to blow by them and rest of USA defense for easy layups most of the 1st half. Zone defense has helped Team USA.

Feeling a little more confident that USA will complete the comeback and win this game.

 

[Wbbfan1]

When USA gets the ball into the low post Japan quickly double teams the post player and USA is unable to get a shot and usually gets tied up by the double team. IF Russell was low enough and quickly ready to shoot then getting the ball into her would work more frequently.

Japan scores at will in the first quarter, 30-16. We should be going down low to Russell on every play. She has 5-6" on the player guarding her. The problem is our guards show little interest in even looking to the post and Russell is not aggressive enough in positioning for the ball. The US is getting back into the game. Shots are starting to fall and Japan is starting to miss. Russell should have a 30 pt 20 reb game just by standing underneath the basket. She's that much bigger than anyone on Japan.

 

[rvwsleep]

J. Canada twisted her knee and had to leave. I predict a comeback. The two are related.

 

[rvwsleep]

When USA gets the ball into the low post Japan quickly double teams the post player and USA is unable to get a shot and usually gets tied up by the double team. IF Russell was low enough and quickly ready to shoot then getting the ball into her would work more frequently.

I agree. Russell does not position herself well enough down low.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Tied for the 2nd time in 3rd qtr. 52 All. USA has not lead in this game. If they made a couple of their missed layups they would have a 5 plus point lead. Lets see what Team USA does for rest of quarter.

 

[Wbbfan1]

USA trails end of 3rd quarter 58-57. If this game remains a 1-3 point lead in the 4th quarter, I favor Japan to win it as they're playing great TEAM Ball. USA probably should have lead by 3-5 points but had turnovers and gave up easy layups.

 

[rvwsleep]

US takes the lead 67-66 6 mins left

 

[Wbbfan1]

No reason for Courtney Williams to play one on one and eventually missed layups. Had a wide open player to pass the ball to.

Mercedes Russell is not ready to shoot when the ball goes into her in the low post.

USA had a 5 point lead, now Japan can tie game.

 

[iri10]

The US did well to fight off the early deficit, but they've blown so many opportunities to expand their lead to clinch the game. Let's see if they can manage to hold onto this slim one now.

 

[rvwsleep]

OT !!! Both teams turned the ball over in the last 10 seconds.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Prior to USA's last turnover, I thought USA Coach should call a time out to set up a play. USA had 2 timeouts left. On the last USA possession they do call a time out and the guard turns the ball over on an ill advised pass to the low post. USA fortunate game is going to OT. Japan plays superior team ball. USA Should have won this game in Regular time.

 

[Wbbfan1]

If Mercedes Russell ends up being an All American, it will because she plays for the Lady Vols. She can't jump, gets poor rebounding position and has missed so many layups in this game. Scores because of height, not because of consistent superior play. She's got double digits in points, but she should be able to dominate this Japan team.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

If Mercedes Russell ends up being an All American, it will because she plays for the Lady Vols. She can't jump, gets poor rebounding position and has missed so many layups in this game. Scores because of height, not because of consistent superior play. She's got double digits in points, but she should be able to dominate this Japan team.

 

[wbbfan]

Yikes, 2 FT misses and 2OT!

 

[rvwsleep]

Well, what can I say. We get fouled shooting in overtime with no time left on the clock. Then miss BOTH ft's. Double OT coming up

 

[iri10]

So many chances from the 4th quarter onward to put this game away. Unbelievable.

 

[Wbbfan1]

USA Guards don't know who to run offense. USA Should have been able to hold lead but silly turnovers and poor offensive possessions down the stretch. USA Would have won the game at the FT line but missed two FT shots with no time left on clock.

Close game still favors Japan due to Superior Team Play.

 

[BigBird]

One of the WORST performances by a team with USA on the shirt. Horrible defense and almost no fundamental skills. If USA wins, they will have work to do before playing for gold. What a flaming dumpster.