导出博客文章RIO DE JANEIRO -- Diana Taurasi and the U.
Air Max Outlet Ireland .S. womens basketball team opened their Olympics with a record rout.The Americans were not expected to be challenged on Sunday by Senegal, and the only real suspense was how many records they would set. When it ended, they had set three Olympic marks: Points scored in a game, margin of victory and assists.The players and the US coaching staff were happy with how the team set the records.With a team of WNBA MVPs and All-Stars, the Americans constantly made the extra pass on offense that led to open shots or layups in the 121-56 victory. Sue Bird had eight of the teams US record 36 assists.When we move the ball like that and the ball doesnt get stuck and the defense has to guard us at all five spots on the floor, thats just a tough task for anybody, U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. Especially in the first half we shot the lights out, we shot great. ... It was really fun.Well, maybe not for everyone.The Brazilian fans tried to spur on the African country, cheering loudly every time they scored and booing the U.S. when the Americans had the ball. The fans even shouted down a brief U.S. chant with a Senegal one. The Americans were used to that having last played in Brazil in 2006 when they lost in the semifinals of the world championship. Thats the last time the U.S. lost a game in a major tournament.We played in Sao Paolo in the world championships and we played against Russia, Bird said. And it was in Brazil again and we lost that game, and the entire place was chanting Russia. I mean every single person. Were used to that.It showed. The American reached the 100-point mark for the 15th time in Olympic history early in the fourth quarter and Breanna Stewart hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes left to top the Olympic record 114 points the Americans had against China in 2012. They also broke the largest margin of victory in US history which had been a 60-point win over Zaire in 1996 .When you think about it, its really cool to know that history it went that far back and we were able to break it today in our first game, Stewart said. We hope to play even better in our next one.The Americans were a 57.5-point favorite coming into the contest. Taurasi swished her early 3-pointers as the U.S. raced out to a 27-5 lead. The Americans led 35-9 after the first quarter and by 43 at the half en route to a 42nd consecutive Olympic win.Both US basketball teams opened with dominated victories. The womens performance came less than 24 hours after the mens team opened with a 57-point rout of China.More than anything, regardless of the score, its beautiful basketball. Were sharing the ball, Bird said. I dont even know how many points we scored, 100 and whatever. ... We share the ball, we move the ball, we make the right plays at the right time, and that to me is a great brand of basketball.First-time Olympians Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Stewart all had their first taste of the Games. Griner had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Stewart, who won four titles under Auriemma at UConn, scored 15 points, tied for the team lead with Taurasi and Sylvia Fowles. Stewart also had two on a nifty alley-oop layup from Bird. Delle Donne added 11.We looked around and said that the three of them played like they were Olympic veterans, Auriemma said. It didnt look at all like there was any sign of nervousness or tentativeness or deferring to the other players. I was thoroughly impressed and really, really happy the way it played out for them. The perfect way for this to start.Senegal was playing in its second Olympics. The African nation lost all six of its games in 2000. Nigeria is still the only African country to win an Olympic contest, getting a victory in 2004.I dont think were really disappointed, said Senegal guard Aya Traore, who played at Purdue on the 2005-06 Sweet 16 team. This is the second time for Senegal to be in the Olympics, and for our group, this is the first time. So playing against the U.S., whos been here every Olympics and world champions and last Olympic gold medalists, what can you expect more? For us, were just happy to be here. We learned a lot of things today and hopefully, were going to take the things with us moving forward.The Americans could face a little stiffer test Monday when they take on Spain. The Spaniards beat Serbia 65-59 in their opener. In other games on Sunday, Australia edged Turkey 61-56 and France topped Belarus 73-72 on a last-second shot.---Follow Doug on Twitter at
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http://www.airmaxireland.com/ . JOHNS, N. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban said he was almost embarrassed by his performance, and the Crimson Tide players were equally critical of themselves even after a four-touchdown victory.Clearly, No. 1 `Bama is its own harshest critic, which wasnt necessarily the case after last seasons loss to the next opponent, No. 19 Mississippi (1-1). The Tide (2-0) handled heavy underdog Western Kentucky 38-10 Saturday but found plenty to grumble about.That included a fumble that set up the Hilltoppers last-minute touchdown when the game was long ago decided.Thats bad ball, and thats bad football, Saban said. Thats not the kind of football we want to play here, and thats not the kind of football team we want to have. I dont know that Ive ever been this disappointed after winning a game, maybe ever.After an opening 52-6 thrashing of USC, Saban found a way to keep his team humble even in another lopsided win. He pointed out the plentiful flaws in the performance.The Tide committed 12 penalties, for one thing. A couple of dropped passes could have been touchdowns. Western Kentucky receiver Taywan Taylor had a 59-yard catch on a flea flicker to set up a first-half field goal.Theres a lot of lessons to be learned from this so hopefully well learn them before its too late, linebacker Ryan Anderson said. He said `Bama teams during his career who just tried to win, instead of aiming to dominate, didnt accomplish anything.But he figures words alone wont fix any problems.Talking never solved anything, Anderson said. Talking wont win us a game. Weve got to go out there and do it. Weve got to get better. Weve got to work harder.
Cheap Air Max Wholesale. The 28-point win wasnt a total loss.Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Receivers Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart had huge games, and the defense allowed 23 rushing yards on 22 attempts.Still, Saban didnt think his players heeded his weeklong message about guarding against arrogance and respecting the opponent.When youre arrogant, it makes you complacent and it creates a blatant disregard for doing things right, Saban said. If we dont start doing things right, were not going to have the kind of success that were capable of. So, well certainly focus on that. Its all my responsibility. We need to get the job done better. Im almost embarrassed that I didnt do a better job for my team.If it indeed was a wakeup call, it came at just the right time. Ole Miss is the only team to beat Alabama in each of the past two regular seasons and the Tide drew some heat for its mistake-filled performance last season.The Tide rebounded to win the national title. This time, the ones issuing the harsh critiques are the Tide players and Saban themselves.You cant pay attention to the media and the news and this and that because theyll make you seem like youre the greatest team in the world, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick said. Youve got to really focus on whats going on within the team and what youre doing and youve got to play your best every day and bring it every time.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '