Texas Tech University Athletics
McCasland, Team USA earn Gold
June 10, 2024 | Men's Basketball
BUENOS AIRE, Argentina – Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland helped the USA claim the gold medal at the 2024 FIBA Men's U18 AmeriCup with a 110-70 win over Argentina on Sunday at Estadio Obras Sanitarias. The team now owns 11 of 13 gold medals from the event. McCasland served as an assistant coach for the team and will now return to Lubbock where the Red Raiders are in their second week of summer workouts.
The game was tightly contested to start, as neither team led by more than 6 points in the opening frame. The U.S. trailed 28-30 with just over six minutes to play in the first half but ended the quarter with a 24-6 run to take a 52-36 lead into halftime. The team outscored Argentina 58-34 in the second half to cap off the 40-point win.
Canada won the bronze medal with an 89-67 win over Dominican Republic earlier in the night.
Â
Seven Straight:Â The USA have won 38 consecutive games at the FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup (formerly Americas Championship) since 2008. The U.S. are now 6-1 in gold medal matches against Argentina.
First Time's a Charm:Â The U.S. players and coaches collected their first USA gold medal with tonight's win. The team featured 12 players and three coaches fulfilling their first USA Basketball Junior National Team assignments.
Big on the Boards:Â The Americans made a habit of outrebounding their opponents in the event and kept to it in the Final. The U.S. outrebounded Argentina 52-36 and averaged 62 per game throughout the tournament, marking the highest average by an American team ever at the event.
Shooting Stats:Â The USA shot 52.4% (44-84 FG) from the floor and 68.4% (13-19 FT) from the line. Argentina shot 35.6% (26-73 FG) from the field and 70.0% (7-10 FT) from the charity stripe.
PLAYER NOTES
MVP: Darius Acuff Jr. took home the MVP award after logging 26 points (11-18 FG, 3-3 FT), 6 rebounds and 9 assists. He joins Cam Whitmore (2022), Quentin Grimes (2018), Markelle Fultz (2016) and Stanley Johnson (2014) as the last five Americans to take home the gold medal and MVP honors.
He averaged a team-high 17.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 4 apg at the competition.
All-Star Five: In addition to Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr. was named a member of the tournament's All-Star Five. He finished with 6 points, 9 assists and 2 steals in the Final.
Brown averaged 10.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg and a team-high 4.8 apg.
Dang Daniel: Daniel Jacobsen contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks and 1 steal tonight. He finished with 19 blocks in the competition, passing Myles Turner (18, 2024) for the most by an American at the event.
Â
Â
The game was tightly contested to start, as neither team led by more than 6 points in the opening frame. The U.S. trailed 28-30 with just over six minutes to play in the first half but ended the quarter with a 24-6 run to take a 52-36 lead into halftime. The team outscored Argentina 58-34 in the second half to cap off the 40-point win.
Canada won the bronze medal with an 89-67 win over Dominican Republic earlier in the night.
Â
TEAM NOTESThe CHAMPS are here?? ???? #USABMU18 pic.twitter.com/warh7UPXwC
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) June 10, 2024
Seven Straight:Â The USA have won 38 consecutive games at the FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup (formerly Americas Championship) since 2008. The U.S. are now 6-1 in gold medal matches against Argentina.
First Time's a Charm:Â The U.S. players and coaches collected their first USA gold medal with tonight's win. The team featured 12 players and three coaches fulfilling their first USA Basketball Junior National Team assignments.
Big on the Boards:Â The Americans made a habit of outrebounding their opponents in the event and kept to it in the Final. The U.S. outrebounded Argentina 52-36 and averaged 62 per game throughout the tournament, marking the highest average by an American team ever at the event.
Shooting Stats:Â The USA shot 52.4% (44-84 FG) from the floor and 68.4% (13-19 FT) from the line. Argentina shot 35.6% (26-73 FG) from the field and 70.0% (7-10 FT) from the charity stripe.
PLAYER NOTES
MVP: Darius Acuff Jr. took home the MVP award after logging 26 points (11-18 FG, 3-3 FT), 6 rebounds and 9 assists. He joins Cam Whitmore (2022), Quentin Grimes (2018), Markelle Fultz (2016) and Stanley Johnson (2014) as the last five Americans to take home the gold medal and MVP honors.
He averaged a team-high 17.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 4 apg at the competition.
All-Star Five: In addition to Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr. was named a member of the tournament's All-Star Five. He finished with 6 points, 9 assists and 2 steals in the Final.
Brown averaged 10.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg and a team-high 4.8 apg.
Dang Daniel: Daniel Jacobsen contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks and 1 steal tonight. He finished with 19 blocks in the competition, passing Myles Turner (18, 2024) for the most by an American at the event.
Â
Â
Postgame Press Conference: vs. Alabama (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
Monday, March 23
Press Conference: NCAA Tournament Second Round Preview
Saturday, March 21
Postgame Press Conference: vs. Akron (NCAA Tournament First Round)
Friday, March 20
A Round One Celebration
Friday, March 20