2015 Pan Am Games Thread

[Zags_Fanatic]

With Few coaching, Witljer playing for Canada and JP Batista on the Brazilian squad, it seems like the Pan Am games are worth some attention in the middle of summer doldrums.

Batista had 6 points and 11 rebounds in just 16 minutes today as Brazil CRUSHED Rick Pitino's Puerto Rico squad. Crushed as in it was 60-17 at the half before Brazil eased off and PR remembered how to shoot the basketball.

[sittingon50]

Thanks Fanatic.

[kitzbuel]

Former Zag vs. former Lion

https://www.usatodaysportsimages.com/preview/8710227

[Mojo13]

Supposedly the game is being streamed on ESPN 3.
anyone access it?

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/type/upcoming/startDate/20150721/#type/upcoming/

[ZagNative]

Yes, I'm watching it now.

[ZagNative]

End of the first, Canada leads 23-21. Kyle not in the game yet.

[Mojo13]

End of the first, Canada leads 23-21. Kyle not in the game yet.

Wiltjer may be the odd man out here. I thought he'd get some run, but he is the only player not to see minutes in the 1st half.
Looks like Nicholson and Bennett will chew up most front court minutes, but Ejim and Brooks who are hybrid 3/4s are getting run. And even Bhullar seemed to get few minutes, but Canada is playing much better with Bhullar on the bench.

Brady Heslip making it rain...18pts in 13 first half minutes.


EDIT: Any news on whether Kyle is hurt? I can't live in a world where Aaron Doornekamp is better than Kyle Wiltjer.
EDIT Part II: Kyle played 38 seconds at the end of the game, so I guess he is not hurt. Looks like he really may be the odd man out.

[Radbooks]

Here's a link to the Pan AM Games basketball games website with the schedules and stats, etc.

Basketball - Event Overview - Men

[Zagdawg]

38 seconds.....may be a waste of training time for him (especially as he heads into his senior year).

[Mantua]

ESPN is showing the U.S. Game now on Comcast.

Few faces Pitino next.

[Kong-Kool-Aid]

38 seconds.....may be a waste of training time for him (especially as he heads into his senior year).

You think that he's going and running to get doughnuts during practice? He's playing against and with players who are better than he's going to see at Gonzaga, even if it's in practice mostly.

[Hoopaholic]

the first half of the usa game reminded me of why I truly dislike NBA etc basketball.....was very very painful to watch....and what is it with 30-35 year olds on the team.......

second half was little better basketball with some defensive effort but the offense was still painful

[Zagdawg]

I would look at it more as the pride of being a representative of Canada in the games.

They play competitively everyday for the next 5 days ..... they will have walkthroughs ...but not sure how many full blown practices they will be running on game day ....especially with 5 games in a row.

I'm thinking he will get to see some more time on the floor in the future.....he could be the secret weapon being held in reserve.

[Marcus]

You think that he's going and running to get doughnuts during practice? He's playing against and with players who are better than he's going to see at Gonzaga, even if it's in practice mostly.

I agree with the practice being good for him. He is matching up with two NBA power forwards in Bennett and Nicholson and another Pro in Ejim who is a big athletic body. Guarding those guys will only help his game. We all know he can score but having to play D against those guys is great for him.

As far as playing time goes, I think he'll see more action next game. It works against him that the players he's fighting for playing time with are the only NBA guys on the team but I think he is definitely better than Doornekamp. I just think Doornekamp got the nod because he's the senior guy. I hope that's the case anyways because I really want to see Wiltjer play. I think we will know if he really is the odd man out after tomorrow.

[Zagdawg]

I would look at it more as the pride of being a representative of Canada in the games.

They play competitively everyday for the next 5 days ..... they will have walkthroughs ...but not sure how many full blown practices they will be running on game day ....especially with 5 games in a row.

I'm thinking he will get to see some more time on the floor in the future.....he could be the secret weapon being held in reserve.