NETANYA, Israel — With Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl orchestrating the action from courtside, Maccabi USA’s Open Men’s Basketball Team opened tournament play at the 18th World Maccabiah Games on Tuesday with a one-sided 112-13 win over Mexico.
“Mexico was very young,” Pearl said. “We played zone in the second half and didn’t fast break. The sportsmanship was great, though, as both teams played hard and honored the game despite the score. We all shook hands and took pictures after the game.”
Dan Grunfeld led the U.S. Maccabi Team with 22 points and was one of five Americans to score in double figures. Tennessee forward Steven Pearl added five points and two rebounds.
In other Maccabiah basketball action Tuesday, Argentina upset Russia.
“I scouted the Russia-Argentina game,” Bruce Pearl said. “And both teams are capable of competing with us. I was very impressed with the coaching and how physical the play was.”
The Americans play France on Wednesday at Metrowest Hall at 6 p.m. (11 a.m. ET). France did not play Tuesday.
“The French beat the U.S. four years ago,” Bruce Pearl added. “France got the silver and (the Americans) got the bronze. So there’s a lot at stake.”
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Comments » 9
SprucePine writes:
Wow
Ironcity writes:
I doubt the Mexicans thought their was good sportsmanship. Could they not find 10 Jewish Mexicans that play basketball in the entire country? It sounds like we had a pro team against a bunch of teenagers.
TechsterVol writes:
They have Jews in Mexico?
Laydbakvol writes:
Hank you hilly much for your words of Lisbon.
BasketVols writes:
I think you and Boomhauer need to stick to the dang ol' Alamo Beer. It's definitely better than the Mexicews' team ;-).
Go Vols! Go Pearl! Go America! Shalom...
peerless writes:
I tell you what man, that dang ole' internet story on that ole'dang basketball game man with dang ole' Pearl, I tell you what man he put a dang ole' whoopin' on them Mexicans man. Whew!
bustervols writes:
OMG, UNCLE, UNCLE!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Bet they would have had a tougher time if it had been the all Catholic Mexican team
spencer1989#206886 writes:
Good Lord....If I were beating a team this bad I would set the entire team down for water and relaxation and ask the cheerleaders to play (if there were any).....And if they kept scoring I would then take volunteers from the fans in the seats.
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