Coach Bruce Pearl and Maccabi USA will play for a gold medal today after beating Canada 123-76 on Tuesday in Netanya, Israel.
Routing the Canadians moved USA into the gold-medal game of the World Maccabiah Games against Israel, a 115-53 winner over Argentina in the other semifinal.
The game will be televised by Jewish Life Television at noon (ET).
“We played very well offensively against Canada,’’ Pearl said. “We shot 50 percent from 3-point range and ran well on the break.
“Playing for the gold medal has always been the goal. I’m proud of our guys.’’
Dane DiLiegro (New Hampshire) led USA with 20 points and Bryan Cohen (Bucknell) added 17.
Tennessee’s Steven Pearl had nine points, six rebounds and two assists.
“Our next game will be very challenging,’’ Bruce Pearl said. “Israel has 12 professional players on their roster.’’
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Comments » 7
DaVols writes:
What no Tarhole mumbo jumbo?
Rockygrass writes:
Nice job lil' Pearl, bring that game to Knoxville this year!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I would say yes. The kids in most demand these days can't spell "Maccabiah", but they notice who is and who isn't in the stands at their camp and AAU games. CBP isn't. I know how much this tourney means to him as a proud practitioner of his religion, but, 1) it is his status as coach at UT that got him that coaching job and 2) if he doesn't reload quickly after this season, his clock at UT will start running, new contract or no.
Ironcity writes:
No really nothing is going on right now that can't be addressed in two weeks (I am sorry a coach not in the stands at your summer league game is not going to have a major influence). Anytime one coaches a national team it gives him instant credibility with the players. Though this is a low level tournament it still a national team.
As for the shoe thing, if that is an actual reason a player goes to a school, then their is something really wrong with our youth today. Now if your saying that players change their mind when money gets involved, then I would say thats been going on for years at almost all of the major institutions.
jeff1vol writes:
Here it is...Plain and simple for all to understand. YES! It is significant that CBP is not out recruiting RIGHT NOW!
Nike is offering certain high-profile recruits shoe deals for when they go pro. Catch is...PLAY FOR A NIKE SCHOOL or NO DEAL. This time next year we will see a WHOLE new set of rules regarding apparel companies and NCAA member institutions...mark my words!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There can be little doubt that Nike is trying to become the Microsoft of the sports apparel industry, if they are not already. They are pouring a huge advertising budget into any niche they can reach. In addition to what Jeff said, they are actively sponsoring kids to attend their camps. I think this whole situation has really blown up in the past few years, and, as you said, the NCAA benefits enough from Nike that they have not been inclined to look too closely at all the OTHER things Nike is doing to promote their brand. I surely hope Jeff is right that the NCAA is going to look hard at the shoe companies' involvement, but the idea that they would do anything about it is about as unlikely as Congress banning corporate campaign contributions--and for the same reasons!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
This would be just about the only silver lining I could see. I wouldn't mind if he brought another Ernie Grunfeld home with him, but I won't hold my breath. There is no question Coach K got a lot of good exposure from coaching the national team, but so far it has not done him much good recruiting. Duke may well finish about fourth or worse in the ACC this year and Duke fans have been griping about their recruiting for several years now.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a CBP fan, but I consider it a major mistake for him to have taken the time to coach this tournament THIS year of ALL years. After losing five seniors and possibly Hopson after next year, 2010-11 is going to be a pretty lean year. New contract or no, if that team drops below, say, 20 wins, the shine of the pearl, so to speak, will start to fade.
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