FIBA Worlds Daily Three: U.S. now an imperfect 5-0

The U.S. blew out Tunisia, but didn't dominate. We're aware that sounds like a paradox, but if the definition of hoops domination is controlling a game from start to finish - and that's the definition we're going with here - the U.S. did not do it. Team USA only scored six points in the first six minutes, trailed 8-6 with under four minutes to play in the first quarter and only led by two (35-33) with under a minute to go in the first half. In fairness, it was an inconsequential game in the standings, and the U.S. eventually broke it open thanks to a miniature barrage from Eric Gordon (21 points, four threes), but this easy win still had some unsettling qualities (namely, inconsistent offense and defense and the refusal to put Tunisia away early, but who's counting). Next up for the U.S.: a single-elimination Round of 16 matchup with Angola on Monday. It's a game the Americans should win - but then again, they should have fully dominated Tunisia as well.

Scola is in session. It seems oddly symmetrical that as schools across the world re-open their doors for a new year, the man whose surname sounds and looks somewhat similar to "school" (Luis Scola) is recording extremely lofty marks. Sporting a head of locks completely unbefitting a principal, Scola has played the role of relentless disciplinarian with a tournament-leading 28.3 points per game entering Thursday, including three consecutive games scoring 30 or more. Class dismissed.

Host nation appreciation. Turkey has decisively said "No thank you" to the dance team known as The Red Foxes, but the World Championship host nation has had plenty of reason to consider breaking out into dance on its own. Bolstered by 16.5 points per game from facemasked Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova and trademark all around production from Hedo Turkoglu (11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists), Turkey was one of four undefeated teams entering the last day of group play on Thursday. Which underscores a point that hoops historians have been emphasizing for generations: Teams that successfully ignore the cheerleaders will benefit from increased concentration on basketball.