4 Reasons Why Team USA Lost to Lithuania in the World University Games

Team U.S.A lost today to Lithuania 76-74 at the World University Games (WUG) in China.

Just typing those words makes me shake my head in confusion.

We lost to Lithuania? Really? Lithuania? (Insert American arrogance here).

It's the first time the U.S. won't bring home some kind of medal from the WUG.

Let's quickly look at how this happened, especially since Team U.S.A. came into the game undefeated.

Lithuania out-Rebounded Team USA

One of the comments that is thrown out there is that European players don't like to go inside and mix it up.

Don't tell Lithuania because they out-rebounded Team U.S.A. 43-37.

The Team USA roster has plenty of capable interior players.

Trevor Mbakwe, JaMychal Green and Draymond Green are all strong on the boards.

But good team rebounding requires more than designating an individual or two focusing on getting boards. Everyone needs to make an effort to box out and go get the ball.

Low Assists Total

Team USA only had nine, count them nine, assists for the entire game.

It wouldn't be outrageous to expect that an individual would have nine assists on his own.

While a low assist total like this does not mean that everyone is playing "me first" basketball, but it usually indicates a lack of ball movement and too much reliance on the taking your man off of the dribble.

To make matters worse, Team USA registered 11 TOs for the contest against Lithuania.

Not good to give it away more than you set up one of your teammates to score.

Poor Shooting Beyond the Arc

If you shoot 30 shots from beyond the arc and only hit five, it's going to be hard to beat just about anyone.

John Jenkins (4-for-9) and Orlando Johnson (1-for-3) were the only two players to make a three-pointer.

The other seven players who put up a shot from downtown collectively missed 18 attempts....Wow!

Shooting 16.7 percent just doesn't get it done.

Lack of Determination and Hustle

Ultimately, Team USA might have been able to withstand being out-rebounded, not finding the open man and a below average shooting night.... If they would have simply out-hustled Lithuania.

Even Team USA Head Coach said: “Lithuania was a little bit quicker to the basketball. They out-rebounded us by about six. If you can pinpoint one area, probably the loose balls and a couple of those long rebounds probably ended up being the key to the game."

In these kinds of games, TEAM USA is not usually lacking the talent necessary to pull out a victory.

Where we sometimes lack is the drive and determination from the opening tip-off to do everything necessary to win the game.

With other countries keeping their teams together for multiple years, TEAM USA cannot depend on talent alone to pull out victories.