World University Games: United States - Turkey Preview

Team USA begins its quest for its first basketball medal at the World University Games since 2009 and first gold since 2005. They were drawn into a tough group, featuring Switzerland as well as world powers Brazil, Serbia, and tonight's opponent, Turkey.

The Turks are mostly 1991 birthdates (to contrast: Perry Ellis was born in 1993) and many of them have played professionally, so they'll certainly have the edge on the Americans in maturity. Let's take a look at their roster:

Firat Toz - Guard

24 years old

Height: 6-1

2015 team: Yesilgiresun Belediye (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 Stats: 3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.4 apg

Draft eligibility: 2013 (undrafted)

Muhammed Baygul

23 years old

Height: 6-3

2015 team: TED Ankara Kolejliler (Turkey)

2015 stats: 4.29 ppg, 2.21 rpg

Yigit Can Vardal

23 years old

2015 team: Ozel Gelisim Kpiejl (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 3.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Oguzhan Sungur

24 years old

Height: 202 cm

2015 team: Sakarya Isik Koleji (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 2.7 ppg, 1 rpg

Cenk Sekeroglu

23 years old

Height: 6-8

2015 team: Akhisar Belediye (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg

2013 draft: Undrafted

Murat Erensoy

24 years old

Height: 6-8

2015 team: ITU (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg

2013 Draft: Undrafted

Tugberk Gedikli

23 years old

Height: 6-4

2015 team: Usak Sportif (Turkey)

2015 stats: 2 ppg, .8 rpg, .6 apg

Omer Sancakli

23 years old

Height: 6-5

2015 team: Mamak DSI (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 2.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, .5 apg

2014 Draft: Undrafted

Pertev Onguner

24 years old

Height: 6-5

2015 team: Turk Telecom (Turkey)

2015 stats: 1.9 ppg

Ilhan Baris Gokalp

24 years old

Height: 6-6

2015 team: Balikesir (Turkish 2nd Division)

2015 stats: 4.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg

2013 Draft: Undrafted

Muhammed Dogan Senli

22 years old

Height: 205 cm

2015 team: Besiktas (Turkey)

2015 stats: 2.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg

Sertac Sanli

24 years old

Height: 7-0

2015 team: Usak Sportif (Turkey) (Transferred to Trabzonspor for 2015-16)

2015 stats: 5.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Obviously not many of the Turkish players got a lot of playing time, but that is mostly due to leagues favoring American imports and older players as much as possible. The players currently in the Turkish first division figure to see a bulk of the playing time against the United States, with Sanli and Senil looklng like the Turks' two best players. Having seen none of these guys play other than small clips in the last couple days I can only venture a guess as to how the US will do tonight but it looks to be a game where they will start slow due to unfamiliarity and then hopefully turn it on late.