Many players on the twelve man roster contributed to Team USA's success in the opener, but UC superstar Sean Kilpatrick shined against UAE. Kilpatrick came off the bench to lead all scorers in the game with eighteen points. Kilpatrick was extremely pesky on defense, not allowing his man to get past him and even forcing a turnover on a steal late in the game on an attempted pass. UAE couldn't compete against the Big East style of physical defense that Kilpatrick displayed throughout the game, and his energy as a dynamic sixth man played a large part in holding UAE to under fifty points scored.
The eighteen points came in a multitude of ways for the Bearcats' senior guard. Kilpatrick was an ultra-efficient seven of fourteen from the field and scored on fast breaks and from behind the three point line. Many of Kilpatrick's three pointers were from the corner on uncontested shots. UAE had a lot of trouble keeping an eye on Kilpatrick in the offensive sets USA executed, and Kilpatrick slipped to the openings in the defense and made his opponents pay four times from behind the arc. "We just wanted to keep the pedal to the metal because we know that any team here is good," Kilpatrick said following USA's victory. "So, it is great to send a message in the first game."
Kilpatrick's twenty-four minutes against UAE tied Indiana's Yogi Farrell for the most played by anyone on the roster, and Kilpatrick also recorded four rebounds and three assists. Just by watching the game against UAE, it looks like Kilpatrick has further polished a deadly three point shot since the season ended in March, and he is surely enjoying playing with talented distributors on the team such as Farrell and 6'6 point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who combined for over twenty assists in the game.
USA advanced to 2-0 in the tournament earlier today with a 96-53 victory over a more talented Czech Republic team. Doug McDermott and Luke Hancock showed off their skilled affinity for scoring with twenty-three and fifteen points respectively, and Hancock was five for ten from behind the three point line. Kilpatrick once again provided a spark in his fifteen minutes of action. Kilpatrick scored seven points in his nine shot opportunities from the field.
Kilpatrick and Team USA will look to continue their hot start to the tournament with a matchup against Sweden on Wednesday. Kilpatrick is averaging 12.5 points per game against the top college aged talent in the world, and USA certainly needs his tremendous scoring ability to continue to advance through the upcoming later rounds when the opponents begin to get stronger. Kilpatrick is one of the top scorers in UC program history, and he won't shy away from any chances to put the ball in the hoop.
Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot
USA advanced to 2-0 in the tournament earlier today with a 96-53 victory over a more talented Czech Republic team. Doug McDermott and Luke Hancock showed off their skilled affinity for scoring with twenty-three and fifteen points respectively, and Hancock was five for ten from behind the three point line. Kilpatrick once again provided a spark in his fifteen minutes of action. Kilpatrick scored seven points in his nine shot opportunities from the field.
Kilpatrick and Team USA will look to continue their hot start to the tournament with a matchup against Sweden on Wednesday. Kilpatrick is averaging 12.5 points per game against the top college aged talent in the world, and USA certainly needs his tremendous scoring ability to continue to advance through the upcoming later rounds when the opponents begin to get stronger. Kilpatrick is one of the top scorers in UC program history, and he won't shy away from any chances to put the ball in the hoop.
Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot
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