USA vs Japan World Univ Game

[Bonpland]

Nationalism aside, given the way we played, doesn't anyone think that it would have been of some value to have had our team lose? If we send a team that so lacks a cohesive game plan against a team like Japan, and our players behave as if the game's their opportunity for personal showcase, then let them lose. Japan played a better game and our players, coaches, organizing committee, and fans would have been taught a lesson about teamwork, preparation, and respect.

Like everyone else I'm happy for our girls, but I'm not sure that winning after the effort they put forth is really their just reward.

And thanks to Grizz 36 for his greammatical comment. I've spent a lifetime explaining that the plural of Canada Goose is Canada Geese. It's a small point, but it makes naturalists crazy to hear them referred to incorrectly.

 

[connboy77]

Ok... I see that Canada is up next. Hope we can wipe the floor with those moose loving, maple syrup eating canucks from up north

You better watch out, Obama just might call you a racist for that remark!

 

[Zorro]

What is wrong with mooses or meese or meeses or more than one moose..... or whatever you call them. I like them, and love maple syrup. Uh oh, maybe I'm Canadian, eh.

Take off, you hoser! I thinf you've had too many beers!

 

[CocoHusky]

Nationalism aside, given the way we played, doesn't anyone think that it would have been of some value to have had our team lose? Like everyone else I'm happy for our girls, but I'm not sure that winning after the effort they put forth is really their just reward.

No. I don't think there is any value in losing a game. The value in this case is in the experience of going to another country and finding out that there are players from other countries (God forbid) that can ballout just as good as USA. So few girls get that experience, once they put on the USA jersey I root for them all. The USA doesn't have a divine right to win every game, the expectation that the coaches and team play are better so the USA can dominate every age group is not realistic. None of the players are doing anything that I would consider "surprising-or different than what they do with their college teams. Although McCall (Stanford) has surprised me in a positive way.
Grammar aside, you do realize that the gold medal is not real gold right?

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

No. I don't think there is any value in losing a game. The value in this case is in the experience of going to another country and finding out that there are players from other countries (God forbid) that can ballout just as good as USA. So few girls get that experience, once they put on the USA jersey I root for them all. The USA doesn't have a divine right to win every game, the expectation that the coaches and team play are better so the USA can dominate every age group is not realistic. None of the players are doing anything that I would consider "surprising-or different than what they do with their college teams. Although McCall (Stanford) has surprised me in a positive way.
Grammar aside, you do realize that the gold medal is not real gold right?

Thank you. I don't see how someone can call out their effort, per ce, and be so critical of their coaching unless you really think both that Geno's way is the only way and that only teams that play Geno's way should be successful.

Considering the short time together, I kind of thought they did pretty good playing a more international (think, even, WNBA) style that is called for. And Rutgers having played (and lost) to Joe McKeon (sp) coached teams over the years, both at GW and now in conference at Northwestern, I'll vouch that he has had great success coaching teams with lesser talent and making them competitive with their "team" ball. He is also considered one of the good guys of the game, FWIW.

So, CH, thanks for saying what I believe, as well.

 

[BlueDevils]

I picked on Mercedes because I thought she should have dominated Japan more so then she did. Yes, she scored 25 points, but against a team like Japan she should have had 40 points and 20 plus rebounds (don't know how many she had). Missed too many layups, got caught in double teams and allowed Japan to get too many hustle rebounds. Not picking on her because she's a Lady Vol, more so because she was the #1 Recruit in the country and gets so much hype.

However, with that said USA Guards played poorly especially on defense and that was the primary reason the game was so close. Without Mercedes USA may not have won the game, but wish she played a more dominating game.

I disagree. I don't really think Mercedes has had much hype, hell she was injured all last season.

 

[CocoHusky]

I disagree. I don't really think Mercedes has had much hype, hell she was injured all last season.

The year before she was injured (Her Freshmen year) Mercedes did not even make ANY of the SEC all Freshmen Team Not Even Honorable Mention ALL-SEC Freshmen.

 

[BlueDevils]

The year before she was injured (Her Freshmen year) Mercedes did not even make ANY of the SEC all Freshmen Team Not Even Honorable Mention ALL-SEC Freshmen.

This is not a dig at her but when I watched tenn her freshman year nothing screamed number 1 recruit, but at the same time hoopgurlz and maxpreps rankings mean nothing to me.