Despite locking up the top spot of Group C, the U.S. Men's National Basketball Team routed Ukraine 95-71 in their last game before the 2014 FIBA World Cup round of 16.
The Americans found themselves down 19-14 after the first quarter, but then the team exploded for 30 second-half points, giving them a lead they never relinquished. The U.S. had six players with double-digit point totals and only Mason Plumlee and Andre Drummond did not play at least 12 minutes.
The win extended Team USA's international winning streak to 59 games, which stretches all the way back to the 2006 World Championship bronze medal game. Their FIBA wins this year have come against Finland, Turkey, New Zealand, Dominican Republic and now Ukraine. With their last day off coming Monday, Sept. 1, the U.S. will welcome the rest period before the round of 16 starts this weekend.
So far, it cannot be overstated how important Anthony Davis, the U.S.' starting center, has been, especially with a potential matchup with Spain, the host country that boasts a big and strong squad. But Kenneth Farried, the team's starting power forward, has had a more understated, ever important role.
"I think his role has pretty much stayed the same. He played this way in practice. He's very unique, he gives us extra possessions, his percentage I think he is shooting 80.0 percent from the floor," USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a team release. "He's an easy guy to play with and gives us a lot of energy."
Moving forward, Krzyzewski is expected to continue to start Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Farried and Davis. Though Derrick Rose is arguably the team's best defensive guard, he is coming back from his second knee surgery in as many seasons.
Rose has said he is okay being a backup in the tournament as he tried to make it back to the Chicago Bulls fully healthy.
