Dick McCann, veteran coach of the American Albert Schweitzer Tournament team, gives his players instructions during practice Tuesday. (Michael Abrams / S&S)
MANNHEIM, Germany — Look for the U.S. team to push the ball up the floor when the 23rd Albert Schweitzer Tournament tips off in Mannheim, Germany on Saturday.
“They can all score, and they’re all quick,” U.S. coach Dick McCann said Tuesday of his 10 U.S.- and two Europe-based players, who assembled for the first time last weekend. “We’re going to do more running to take advantage of their athleticism and speed.”
McCann, who is coaching the team for the 16th time, said there is up-tempo material throughout the lineup.
“I’m not just talking about guards. In the past, we have not had big guys who can run the floor like these,” said McCann, referring to the likes of 6-foot-9 forward Rich Jackson of Philadelphia, 6-10 center Sam Muldrow of Florence, S.C., and 7-0 center Cole Aldrich of Bloomington, Minn.
All three are juniors, but Jackson already has committed orally to Syracuse and Aldrich to Kansas.
Joining them on the break will be Scoop Jardine, a classmate of Jackson’s at Philadelphia’s Neumann-Goretti High School.
“It’s OK with me,” Jardine, a 6-2, two-guard who averaged 11.2 points and 7.5 assists per game, said of the up-tempo plans. “That’s what we play at home.”
McCann is hoping the running game and team chemistry will help the Americans add to their record 10th title, which came 10 years ago. Two years ago, the U.S. finished fifth.
“In the first two days, the kids have shown more camaraderie than teams in the recent past,” he said. “That’s a step in the right direction.”
Jardine, who, like Jackson, has committed orally to Syracuse, has built-in camaraderie with his past, present and future teammate.
“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” Jardine said. “We’re together 24/7. He’s like my brother.”
McCann is banking that brotherly feeling will translate into team play. His players will need to play together against the ever-improving international teams.
“The days are gone when a team would fold when we walked onto the floor,” McCann said. “Before 1996, teams wanted to play the U.S. because there was a chance they could beat us. Since 1996, they’ve wanted to play the U.S. because they know they can beat us.”
As he has in every tournament since 1975, McCann has 12 practices in six days to mold a team to take on teams that play together for three or four months each year. Some, like this year’s towering entry from Australia, play together year-round at sports academies.
The teams are divided into four pools, with the top two from each advancing into a championship group and the others falling into a consolation group for additional play.
The Americans’ first three opponents — Croatia, Israel and Spain — are serious foes, McCann said.
“Croatia is a dominating team,” he said. “In the past, we haven’t peaked until Wednesday or Thursday (after pool play). With the group we’re in this year, we’ll have to come together sooner than that. Croatia is a hell of an opening test.”
Sneak peak for free
Fans can get an early, free look at some future college stars when the U.S. Albert Schweitzer Tournament team scrimmages China at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Benjamin Franklin Village Sports Arena in Mannheim, Germany.
There will be a meet-and-greet session with the team following the game for fans wanting autographs or to wish the team well in the tournament for under-18 junior national teams.
The Americans begin play in earnest at 6 p.m. Saturday against Croatia. They then face Israel at 8 p.m. Sunday, and Spain at 8 p.m. Monday. The Americans compete cross-pool play Wednesday and Thursday. Semifinals are scheduled for Friday, with consolation and championship games Saturday.
All games involving the U.S. will be at the Sports Arena in Mannheim.
The Rhein-Neckar USO on Sullivan Barracks in Mannheim is selling advance tickets for the tournament. Its telephone number is DSN 385-3668 or German civilian 0621-730-3668.
For this weekend’s pool play and crossover games next week, prices are $10 for adults and $6 for youths. The prices rise to $12 and $8 next Friday, and to $17 and $11 for Saturday’s finales.
Daily tickets also will be available at the door one hour before game time.
