Auriemma has the players to win a physical game, or a high-scoring one; this team can run-and-gun, shoot 3s and excel in half-court sets.
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Griner will get her first chance to go for the single-game mark against Senegal on Sunday when the US women’s basketball team begins its Olympic play. “We know that, even with this great team”.
Obviously Senegal’s first game doesn’t exactly tell anyone much other than the fact that they are vastly inferior to the best team in the Olympics women’s basketball competition.
They also won their 42nd straight Olympic game, easily handling an African nation still looking for its first victory in its second Olympics.
The U.S. next plays Serbia on Wednesday while Spain faces China. The extent to which the U.S.is playing a different game is reflected in the combination of skills and physical gifts of all three players.
United States center Brittney Griner (15) and Spain forward Laura Nicholls battle under the net during the first half of a women’s basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.
Come on! That is some serious talent all joining together to bring home another gold medal for the USA and we totally know that the ladies are going to slay it on the court.
The U.S. defense smothered Senegal all game long, forcing Senegal into BLANK turnovers. The previous record was 114, set in 1992 and tied at the London Olympics. I was thoroughly impressed and really, really happy the way it played out for them.
Delle Donne and Fowles each had 12 points and four rebounds; Griner scored 10 points; and McCoughtry finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Diana Taurasi scored 13 points and Elena Delle Donne added 12 to help the Americans beat Spain 103-63 on Monday in women’s group play. What that means, exactly, we shall see.
Team USA probably has the most talent its ever had, and they only have one true point guard in Sue Bird.
Once again the depth of Team USA was highlighted with all 12 players getting on the scoreboard, including five in double digits with Diana Taurasi leading the way with 13 points. Brittney’s 6-8, she puts her hands up she’s 7-6.
Senegal was playing in its second Olympics.
The U.S. had played Senegal four times – all at the world championship – before Sunday.
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Alba Torrens, who the Connecticut Sun have the rights to in the WNBA, led Spain with 20 points. The USA defeated Spain 77-64 in the 2014 World Cup and 71-58 at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
