“Play the right way. Play the right way, guys.”
It was the final plea from Coach Painter as his Team USA Boilermakers started the fourth quarter of the final of five straight games with another big league. Shortly after, Jacquil Taylor would force an Estonian guard to lose the ball, and a half-court pass later, freshman Nojel Eastern would flash his unique athleticism and size as he threw down a two-handed dunk.
For most of the five games, Team USA had done just that. They played right. They played with depth. They played with poise. They played with skill.