USA falls to Russia 69 to 68

After bringing good news from over seas for the last week or so, it’s time to say that Team USA won’t be playing in the Gold Medal game, as it was beaten by the Russian team 69 to 68. And while the score might say it was a tight game, the reality is a lot different. Head coach Bo Ryan’s team was a ahead by double digits entering the last quarter of the game and was outscored 20 to 9 in the last quarter, something that if you ask me, should not have happened. As far as Deon Thompson was concerned he had another good performance, coming out of the game with a double double (12 points and 11 rebounds) and probably gaining more and more experience. And while this is the end of the line as far as a gold medal is concerned, the US team will face off against Israel today to go for the bronze.

I am still very positive that this experience will make the power forward from Torrance, CA. a much better player in his final go around at Chapel Hill. These games, the fact he is going to be back with most of the people from last year (yes, Hansbrough won’t be there but Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller will), and the addition of talented incoming freshmen, that even if they get redshirted or don’t play much, will give the starters all they can handle in practice. And let’s not forget that Thompson will still have a good part of the summer to work out with his team mates. Combine all of this, add a Ginyard ready to get on the court as a fifth year senior, and you could have a very good team, and probably the best front court in the nation. So, while we wait for the last game of this tournament to be played out, let’s start thinking of how much Carolina is going to benefit from another big man ready for the challenge of defending the national title.

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