Gardner does not make final cut for national team

[tower912]

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/worlduniversity/13_mwug_team.html

Use it as motivation, big fella.  Looks like they were looking at speed and versatility, and not low block domination. 

[Sunbelt15]

Surprising, after seeing the photo of the new, trim Gardner. I guess the pic was photoshopped. It got me. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

He's not a great matchup for the Euro style big man with outside shooting range....not surprised he didn't make it.

[Litehouse]

Euro style big men aren't a great match up to stop him either.

[77ncaachamps]

Euro style big men aren't a great match up to stop him either.

This.

I understand Team USA wants versatility, but when DG is killing it down low, the world opponents must alter their game play to stop him.
That's why he's a positive.

I didn't even mention his ballhandling skills!

#ChipOnDGsShoulder

[GGGG]

This.

I understand Team USA wants versatility, but when DG is killing it down low, the world opponents must alter their game play to stop him.
That's why he's a positive.

I didn't even mention his ballhandling skills!

#ChipOnDGsShoulder

Alex Kirk likely beat him out for the position and he has a similar game to Davante.  Likely first round pick in next years NBA draft.

[MUBurrow]

I'm excited to watch Frank Martin have to tone it down as an assistant on the bench with McKillop and Beilein, who are as even-keeled as they come.

Also its cool to see Curtis Sumpter still involved in basketball at a high level.  Talk about a guy for whom the sky was the limit and then was derailed by injury.

[dgies9156]

All I can say is Bo Ellis didn't make the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team either.

Just 10 short months later, US Olympic Team coach Dean Smith was getting the license plate number of that 6'9" forward who won something far more important than an Olympic Gold Medal -- A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

Here's hoping Davante comes back to bite those folks on the USA team the way Bo did.

[MUEng92]

Not an international basketball expert, but it seems that I remember that big guys get called for fouls when little guys bounce off them, no matter who actually instigates it.  DG always has guys bouncing off him.  He might foul out of an international game before halftime.

[keefe]

All I can say is Bo Ellis didn't make the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team either.

Just 10 short months later, US Olympic Team coach Dean Smith was getting the license plate number of that 6'9" forward who won something far more important than an Olympic Gold Medal -- A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

Here's hoping Davante comes back to bite those folks on the USA team the way Bo did.

Alfred Lee, playing for Puerto Rico, almost single-handedly beat Dean Smith's team. the charge call against Butch is still questionable. I love this write-up from the USA Basketball site:

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/moly_1976.html

Opening against Italy, behind Adrian Dantley's 20 points and 19 more from Mitch Kupchak, the U.S. rolled to a 106-86 victory. The USA's quest for the gold was nearly thwarted by a Puerto Rican team led by Marquette University's Butch Lee. Lee, a New Yorker who was born in Puerto Rico, made the Puerto Rican Olympic team only after failing to be invited to the USA Olympic Trials. Trying his best to make the U.S. pay for its oversight, Lee scored 35 points on 15-for-18 shooting from the field to help lead a gutsy Puerto Rican team in its near upset of the U.S. squad. Tied 51-51 at half, the game remained a tight affair until the end. With the U.S. ahead 93-92 and eight seconds remaining, Puerto Rico's dream of the monumental upset ended when Lee was called for a charge. Phil Ford hit a pair of free throws and the U.S. held on for a 95-94 victory. Ford finished with 20 points and Kupchak added 19.

[Jay Bee]

USA could probably have you or me on the roster and still dominate.

At any rate, happy for Davante that he got the experience - he should be very proud of being invited out there and doing well. When you think about how most thought of him when he committed... his story and career has been very impressive.

However, still work to do. Big year for him. The biggest. Important year for the program as well. Now that he's gotten a good taste of USA Basketball, he can rejoin his teammates in Milwaukee and get back to work on all of them on the upcoming challenges ahead.

Zero to hang his head about... can understand if he's bummed about not going overseas, but should be proud and energized.

[brewcity77]

I think this would have been a perfect atmosphere for Davante to thrive in. Most likely officials unfamiliar with his play, he would have been drawing 6-8 fouls per game. Too bad for him, but he'll still be very, very good for us this year.

[MUWarrior4Life]

figures he got cut cuz of coach McKillop still salty bout NCAA game..........LOL

[harigtad]

He made the first cut (from 24 to 16) but was one of the final 4 (from 16 to 12) to miss out

[harigtad]

http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130629/SPORTS0601/306290031/IU-s-Will-Sheehey-Yogi-Ferrell-make-Team-USA-World-University-Games-team