Less than a week after suffering a disappointing loss to Serbia, Team USA appears to be on track after opening up the World University Games with a convincing win over Finland.
Purdue junior Robbie Hummel (Valparaiso) was one of four players in double figures with 10 points as the United States knocked off Finland 87-40 in Serbia on Friday.
Hummel added a steal and two blocked shots as the Americans flexed their defensively muscle, holding Finland to just two points in the fourth quarter.
"Our coaches did a great job on the scouting reports and getting us prepared to play this game," Hummel said.
The challenge for the American team is that many of its opponents have been gearing up for the University Games for months, while the USA players are still learning each other's tendencies.
"We've only been together for a couple of weeks," Hummel said. "The more we play, the more we practice, the more we are getting used to each other."
The United States lost to Serbia 98-82 last Sunday during a warmup for the University Games. Factoring in a pair of four-point victories over Canada and Russia, Friday's 47-point win over Finland was the best the team has played together in four games.
"I think I was a little nervous at the beginning, but as the game progressed, we all got a little more comfortable," Hummel said.
Hummel is teamed up with several Big Ten opponents such as Evan Turner (Ohio State) and Talor Battle (Penn State). Corey Fisher (Villanova) and Craig Brackins (Iowa State) led the team with 12 points apiece, and Battle added 11 points off three 3-pointers.
The Americans return to the court today for the final preliminary matchup against South Korea. After preliminary play, the teams will be seeded for pool play. The championship game is scheduled for July 11.
In other action, Valparaiso University sophomore Cameron Witt scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in a losing effort as Greece knocked off Australia 89-72. At the Under-19 World Championships in New Zealand, incoming VU freshman Ryan Broekhoff led Australia to a 69-62 victory over Spain with a team-leading 16 points and seven rebounds.
