Turgeon Excited for FIBA Americas U18 Championship
7/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, an assistant coach for the talented 2016 USA Men's U18 National Team, took a moment for reflection as he set out for Chile last Friday evening in advance of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
"Growing up and watching the Olympics, I knew I always wanted to be a part of Team USA," Turgeon shared from the team bus after he spent the past week practicing and evaluating the team in Houston. "It's an honor to represent your country."
Turgeon's resume as a head coach spans nearly two decades, including leading three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, totaling 364 career wins and most recently earning 2015 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
This particular experience, which begins tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19) as Team USA faces Puerto Rico at 1:30 pm EDT, is most assuredly a “bucket list” item for Turgeon.
Turgeon has enjoyed working with Shaka Smart (Head Coach) and Kevin Ollie (Assistant Coach) this past week as they led the USA Men's Basketball U18 team through seven competitive practices and a scrimmage with the University of Houston prior to announcing their 12-man roster last Wednesday.
"We have a good group of players," Turgeon said. "Their personalities fit well together on this team. We have players with different skillsets who can help us in different areas: shot blockers, scorers on the block, guys who can press and good shooters."
One of those "good shooters" is incoming Maryland freshman Kevin Huerter. A 6-7 guard from Clifton Park, N.Y., Huerter has been lauded by Turgeon for his strong play in Houston this week according to Turgeon.
"Kevin has shot the ball very well," said Turgeon. "He has been lot better defensively. Coming out of high school he played a lot of zone (defense). During our practices, he has done well with the full court press. He uses his angles as well as his length. Kevin is playing with confidence."
Because the team had only approximately nine days of preparation, Turgeon said the coaching staff has emphasized defense.
"We need to keep it simple," said Turgeon. "We need to be good on that end of the floor and create our opportunities through our defense."
In addition to opening with Puerto Rico, USA will face U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, July 20 and Chile on Thursday, July 21. The USA team will play in Group B.
"I'm looking forward to this experience," said Turgeon. "It will be a great environment. There is a tremendous fan base (in Chile) and they really get into basketball."
2016 TEAM USA SCHEDULE
GROUP B PRELIMINARY ROUND
Puerto Rico vs. USA – Tuesday, July 19, 1:30 pm EDT
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. USA – Wednesday, July 20, 3:45 pm EDT
Chile vs. USA – Thursday, July 21, 8:15 pm EDT
SEMIFINALS
Friday, July 22 – 6:00 pm/8:15 pm EDT
BRONZE MEDAL GAME
Saturday, July 23 – 6:00 pm EDT
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saturday, July 23 – 8:15 pm EDT
