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Team USA to play for gold in World University Games DID TEAM USA WIN? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @KANSANSPORTS TO FIND OUT
DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dmantheman2011
The U.S. national team, composed mostly of Kansas men's basketball players, will play against Germany for a gold medal in the World University Games at 7 a.m. Monday as this issue reaches newsstands.
Team USA ranks first in the tournament in scoring at an average of 80.4 points per game; Germany is ranked fourth, averaging 77.5 points per game. Germany has allowed an average of 53.5 points per game; Team USA allowed an average of 58.3 points per game.
Expect a close game for both teams. Germany has played one less game than Team USA; Germany's pool was comprised of five teams, while Team USA's pool had six teams.
The Jayhawks have already played close games against Turkey, Brazil, Serbia and Russia in the tournament and won all of them. Their closest game of the tournament was in pool play, defeating Serbia by one point, 66-65. Germany's only close game in the tournament was against Canada in the quarterfinals of the gold medal bracket, which Germany by six points, 79-73.
When Team USA left for South Korea on June 26, coach Bill Self said it was going to be a fun trip for the team, instead of the usual business trip that happens every time the Jayhawks play away from Lawrence.
In addition to the opportunity to bring home gold — certainly a "fun" experience — this trip allowed Kansas players to get more experience
under their belts and become more of a team.
Junior guard Wayne Selden has improved the most this summer. Selden, who averaged 9.4 points per game as a sophomore in the 2014-15 season, currently averages 18.9 points in seven games in the World University Games. That's a 9.5 point difference from last season.
Senior forward Hunter Mickelson's improvements are not far behind. Only playing in 19 games as a junior and averaging 2.4 points per game, Mickelson currently averages 8.6 points in seven games.
Three players have seen a slight change in their averages from last year. Both junior guard Frank Mason's and senior Perry Ellis' performances have had slight changes from last season. Mason averaged 12.4 points as a sophomore; Ellis averaged 13.8 points as a junior.
Senior forward Jamari Traylor has also seen a 1.4 point differential from last year's average in the World University Games. Traylor averages 3.4 points per game in the World University Games.
Let's not forget freshman guard LaGerald Vick and freshman forward Carlton Bragg, two of three newcomers to Kansas for the 2015-16 season. Vick averages 4.9 points; Bragg has averaged 3.1 points per game during the World University Games.
Four Kansas players are not on the national team or not playing
SEE USA PAGE 23
AARON GROENE/KANSAN
The Kansas men's basketball team gathers at center court during its first exhibition game against Canada June 23 at the Sprint Center. The team plays for the gold medal against Germany today.