LONDON — While the NBA stars on the men's team get most of the basketball headlines at the London Olympics, the U.S. women’s basketball team has been just as dominating so far at the Summer Games.
The day after scoring a 91-48 rout over Canada in the quarterfinals, the U.S. team practiced away from Olympic Park at the University of East London.
Coach Geno Auriemma ran the players through a number of drills and worked on strategy for Thursday’s semifinal opponent, Australia. Auriemnna says Australia is a familiar foe, one the U.S. women have beaten in each of the last three Olympic gold medal games.
“It’s all about comfort here, you know. It’s all about us making them uncomfortable, and they’re going to make us uncomfortable, believe me. You know, they punch you, they grab you. They’re really the most physical team in the tournament, no doubt about it. You know those Aussies, they’re a tough bunch,” Auriemma said.
And Canada is not the only team the U.S women have dominated. Their average margin of victory in their six wins here is about 38 points, virtually the same as the U.S. men. Auriemma said that was unexpected.
“Early on I think people could take advantage of the fact that we were just getting to know each other. But as the tournament has worn on we’ve gotten progressively better. But I never go into any tournament or any game expecting the scores to be what they’ve been, but we’re operating on a lot of good cylinders right now,” Auriemma said.
