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After an embarrassing meltdown against Chile, the team and I got back to basics in practice this week here in the Air Canada Center. Instead of Taco Bell, this week I fed the team Campbell's Chunky Soup, so our game shape improved a little.

Coincidentally, our National Team has a new sponsor, Campbell's Chunky Soup!

Joe Bronson: "Mmmmmm, soup that eats like a meal! I can feel my game shape going up already!"

This Monday we face off with #9 Brazil in the opener of the 2nd round of the Americas Tournament. I told assistant coach Rambo, "Sort of lucky for us Brazil picked up 3 big injuries last week huh?"

Rambo replied with a menacing stare, "Yes...lucky."

"Ummm Rambo, where were you all of last week anyway?"

"I decided to pay a few friends a visit."

I backed away slowly. Anyway, game is at 7PM Eastern, 4 Pacific on Monday the 14th. Join the discussion on the offsite forum: (http://s3.zetaboards.com/BuzzerBeater_USA_NT/topic/746817...)

NT Post Game Report: Brazil 3/14

The second round of the America's tournament had finally arrived! Fans packed North East Point Toastifiers Center to see the currently ranked 12 United States National team battle the #9 team in the land Brazil! Heading into the game injuries and game shape of the players on both squads were major issues and really made each NT coach take a step back and look at some call-ups. Tonight the US NT did not suit regulars Irwin Velasco, Willis Lundy, Gavin Wood, or Lynn Tirado but instead chose to call-up 4 new players Charles Dube, Zane Ritter, Cary Jones, and Nixon Zamora! Switching gears the US played a Run and Gun against Brazil's 3-2 and Brazil's Motion matched up against the Man defense of the US. After a quick start for the United States they ended the first quarter with a 22-10 lead and did not look back. The offense was evenly distributed among the players with 6 US players in double digits and all contributing whether it be rebounds blocks or steals. Brazil was looking for the 3 ball but the US pressure around the perimeter held Brazil to 6-34 shooting from outside. The return of Joe Bronson also sparked enthusiasum of the US especially after shooting 5-5 to start the game and later missing one to finish 5-6. The scoring leader for the NT was Ricardo Madrid with 20 points and with a 20.0 match rating definitely meant business out on the hardwood tonight. Other notable performances include a 2 point, 17 rebound, 4 block game by Nixon Zamora, a 19 point output by Charles Dube, and finally Jairo Alejandro Renteria obtained 11 points and collected 14 boards on his way to another double double this NT season. Brazil in the fourth almost mounted a comeback but thanks to the overwhelming defense displayed tonight the US held on to beat Brazil 100-88!

Heading over to the post game press conferences I ran into Joe Bronson. When asking if I could get a statement about the game I was turned down only because Bronson was stuffing his face in Campbell's Chunky soups. Martin Medrano was caught quoting that Joe Bronson eats more cans of Campbell's Chunky soups a minute then Wills Lundy mispells a word!

The two players selected for interviews tonight are none other than Ricardo Madrid and Nixon Zamora!

SpF: Hey Ricardo! Amazing game out there! What were your thoughts heading into tonight's big game?
Madrid: We all knew tonight was a HUGE game and that what happened tonight would make or break us for the rest of the tournament so we all vowed to do all we could to get that W.
SpF: And it looks like you did get it! but 20 points in 25 minutes is proficient scoring but defensively you and your guard counterparts really put the hammer down out there don't ya think?
Madrid: Most definitely for sure! and you know what they say a great defense creates good offense so it's a win-win.
SpF: Finally Ricardo there have been some reports in Sports Illustrated and even in People that you're looking for a nickname how's the search going?
Madrid: Well.. I've got a few ideas that were thrown around.. Ricardo " The Milkman" Madrid, Ricardo "Rain in Spain" Madrid, Ricardo "Rich Boy" Madrid, Ricardo "The Rocket" Madrid, Ricardo "Supercalafrag..........
SpF: Alright well.. that is a lot of nicknames and i'm sure the fans or something will narrow it down but anyway great game Ricardo hope to speak with you again soon!

SpF: Nixon! Nixon! over here! Hey great game tonight big fellow, really were a force in the paint!
Zamora: Thanks.. I didn't get the offensive output I wanted to tonight but hey I still gave it my all on the defense side of things.
SpF: 17 rebounds and 4 blocks! you really left your mark
Zamora: You know just trying to prevent the easy shots because if you try.. taking.. an easy shot.. at a basket i'm under... do you know where that shot is going to end up spf?
SpF:....
Zamora: the fifth row! behind your mother because the block was so sick it brought TEARS TO HER EYES!
SpF: Zamora you play with a lot of intensity...
Zamora: Well I like to live by the code of go hard or go home.
SpF: Well hopefully if you continue to follow that code we'll see more output like this but again great game and thanks for the interview!


Coach Jfarb was not far away from me so I decided to talk to him about the results of tonight's game.

SpF: Hey coach! one heck of a game out there! could we have a statement about the game? Also what were your thoughts on the play of Dube, Zamora, and the other call-ups?

Jfarb:Oh hey SpF, just give me a sec, lemme finish this bowl of Campbell's Chunky Soup...mmmmm Hearty, Delicious and Nutritious! Anyway, I told everyone at camp who was cut to be ready for the day they could be called upon, and today Dube, Nixon, Zane, and CJ answered the call. I'm proud of our performance out there today, we played straight up man to man and everyone did their job. Brazil is a great team, so to start off the 2nd round with a win against one of our biggest opponents puts us in a good position going forward."

SpF: That's awesome to hear so is anybody getting yelled at this week?

Jfarb: Yeah... Joe Bronson because he keeps stealing all of my soup! HEY BRONSON I SAW YOU TAKE THAT! WHAT?!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CLAIM ALL THE CANS BY LICKING THEM THAT'S DISGUSTING!

The USA still has a long road ahead of themselves and next week brings another challenge as the US NT squares off against Colombia in their second game of this round of the Americas Tournament! Remember to tune in for discussion on our offsite forum and follow the NT reports and questions every week to support your NT!

-SpF-

Spf postgame interviews= awesomeness

Why thank you!

Why thank you!

Hey SpF...We (the BB Staff) have noticed your contributions to BuzzerBeater. Your forum write ups, particularly covering the NT team is terrific for the community. You have been a great contributor to BB, and a supporter of BB for sometime now.

To say thanks, and show our appreciation of your efforts, your Supporter membership has been extended 3 months.

Thanks again!

Wow! Thanks Jason and the other BB's!

That's really generous of you and I appreciate the gift!

Just trying to get the community involved with the NT, get to know them a little more, the players personalities, and the direction of our team! It's been a really fun experience that i'm glad to be a part of