<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LAS VEGAS -- Victor Mariscal scored 30 points, 22 in the first half, leading coach Nolan Richardson and Mexico to a 100-89 victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday in the FIBA Americas tournament. With a strong defensive effort that held Puerto Rico star Carlos Arroyo without a field goal, Mexico pulled away after the Puerto Ricans rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to grab a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Richardson said he wasn't surprised that his team pulled off the upset. "This group has worked extremely hard," Richardson said. "We've been in the hottest gyms and highest altitudes. When you have guys like that, that are that dedicated, you know you have a good team. But this is still the beginning. We still have several games to go." Mexico didn't play much of Richardson's famed "40 Minutes of Hell" pressure defense that sparked Arkansas to the 1994 NCAA title, but didn't need to because Puerto Rico was having enough trouble with the Mexicans' active zone. Puerto Rico got back into it late in the third behind Angelo Reyes, who scored eight points in the final 1:44 to make it 76-73 heading to the fourth. Arroyo, who plays for the Orlando Magic, was 0-for-10 from the field and scored four points.</div> Source: ESPN Not a good sign, Arroyo landed his current deal after having an amazing FIBA tournament a few years ago. Now he's struggling in the tournament he used to dominate at. His confidence has to be at an all time low.
How do you go 0-10 in against a team who doesn't have an NBA player to guard him? I don't understand. I know Mexico shouldn't be over looked, but Arroyo is a pro basketball player, he should be at least 5-12 or get something done.
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How do you go 0-10 in against a team who doesn't have an NBA player to guard him? I don't understand. I know Mexico shouldn't be over looked, but Arroyo is a pro basketball player, he should be at least 5-12 or get something done.</div> I guess thats what happens when you are going against a team who has a defense called "40 minutes of hell." I think teams are going to focus their defense on Arroyo being the only nba player on the roster. He really made a name for himself in international competition and that might be coming back to haunt him now as teams will try to get the ball out of his hands
<div class="quote_poster">TheHighness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I guess thats what happens when you are going against a team who has a defense called "40 minutes of hell." I think teams are going to focus their defense on Arroyo being the only nba player on the roster. He really made a name for himself in international competition and that might be coming back to haunt him now as teams will try to get the ball out of his hands</div> Actually Nolan Richardson hasn't implemented his "40 minutes of hell" yet with team Mexico. They do play pressure defense, and I'm sure Arroyo forced up a lot of bad shots in the game. He did bounce back last night in typical Arroyo fashion. He continues to be an inconsistent player and it's frustrating as a head coach because you don't know what to expect from him on any given night.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Actually Nolan Richardson hasn't implemented his "40 minutes of hell" yet with team Mexico. They do play pressure defense, and I'm sure Arroyo forced up a lot of bad shots in the game. He did bounce back last night in typical Arroyo fashion. He continues to be an inconsistent player and it's frustrating as a head coach because you don't know what to expect from him on any given night.</div> I know he hasn't implemented it, I was just suggesting that with a defense called 40 minutes of hell, defense is obviously a staple of a Nolan Richardson team.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He had 16 points and 8 assists last night. Hopefully he continues to bounce back.</div> yeah i wouldn't worry about it. Foreign basketball always bring out the best in Arroyo. I mean he was MVP like 3 weeks ago wasn't he? Also no one has mentioned, Jose Juan Burea got ejected in this game for apparently cursing at the refs. I'm guessing there was a lot of tempers flaring and a lot of confusion/frustration going on. Arroyo will be just fine.
