Now the defense of the USA U-19 is beginning to come to the forefront. A second straight game where the shots — especially from the perimeter — were not falling, but defense and rebounding continue to be there. The USA team took control late in the first quarter and took the game 82-61.

The U.S. blew the game wide open with a 24-2 run that covered the last 2:41 of the first quarter and the first 5:12 of the second quarter. During the games deciding run Ashton Gibbs (Pittsburgh / Scotch Plains, N.J.) and Seth Curry (Duke / Charlotte, N.C.) each tallied six points, Terrico White (Mississippi / Memphis, Tenn.) contributed five points, and Howard Thompkins (Georgia / Lithonia, Ga.) added four more in the massive run.

Outscoring Puerto Rico 9-2 over the final 2:31 of the opening quarter to grab control 20-13, the Americans opened the second quarter by scoring 15 straight points to take full control 35-13. Of Puerto Rico’s six points in the second period, four came on free throws as the islanders made just 1of-16 shots from the field.

Leading comfortably at halftime 43-19, the USA lead hovered around 20 points for the remainder of the game as Puerto Rico offensively was continually harassed by the USA defense.

Puerto Rico’s star player, Rutgers Sophomore Mike Rosario, had 54 points against France and averaged something like 32/game coming in. He was held to 11 points on only 4-15 shooting and was forced into 4 turnovers.

The win moves the USA U-19 to 5-0 and clinches the #1 seed in Group E regardless of what happens tonight/this morning (7:30 pm NZ, 2:30 am EST) against Lithuania. That means the USA team will face the #4 seed of Group F on Thursday night/morning. Right now, it looks like the possibilities for the #4 seed are Spain, Canada or Argentina.

Australia and Croatia are going to be the #1 and #2 seeds — order determined after their game tonight.

Ashton Gibb, like the rest of the team — aside from Howard Thompkins who has been thriving — struggled with his shooting. Only 3-10 and 1-5 on 3s. Despite this, Gibbs has shot better than 45% overall in the 5 games and has ended up taking the most shots of any USA player. He seems to be doing very well in the group and is playing around 22 minutes a game — the most on the team.

It’s hard not to think that Coach Dixon is getting him lots of work in preparation to lead Pitt in the upcoming season. So far, Gibbs seems to be handling it.

As for Coach Dixon, well he gets the puff pieces now that he’s visiting New Zealand — the place where he played for 2 years (hattip to Asst. AD Greg Hotchkiss’ Twitter). It’s a full-blown puffer.

The Hawks’ US import from the 1989-90 seasons smiles as he greets SportToday at the Westshore Inn in Napier.

The 43-year-old Californian has made a whirlwind trip to catch up with his former Bay teammates and acquaintances after almost two decades.

Dressed smartly in a blue long-sleeved shirt and black pleated slacks, Dixon plants himself in the lounge seat of a self-contained unit at the inn as a heater tries to beat the chill in the room.

But Dixon has an aura that emits warmth of its own. If all the publicity has the potential to corrupt the best there’s no signs that Dixon is tainted.

It’s almost Tebow-esque.

In the interview he admits that he was asked to coach the World USA Team of 23 year-olds, but wanted the U-19 so he could come back to New Zealand for a visit.

Once you get past the fawning, it’s a good piece with Dixon talking a bit about how being in New Zealand gave him his first chance to coach some kids and started him down the path to coaching. And being asked about his future.

He’s quite content with continuing at the highest level in college basketball.

“I have a great interest in NBA as a game and it really does cross over to a lot of people in many ways but I want to keep Pittsburgh at the highest level of college basketball.”

Plus no story on Coach Dixon can be complete without a side piece relating to his sister, Maggie.

It’s not something Jamie Dixon often talks about but it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Huh? It is the automatic subject of at least 2-5 stories every year. It may not be something Coach Dixon brings up, but he gets asked about it and is willing to talk about it whenever asked.

The late Maggie Dixon’s story became an international story.

“It’s opened me up to better express my feelings because I saw people express their sympathies so it’s done a lot in that regard.”

Hmm. That’s something of a new tidbit that I hadn’t thought about before. I’ve mostly ascribed Dixon’s growing comfort with the public media as a part of his growth and learning to be a head coach and do the things needed. Plus the maturity of getting older and more comfortable in your own skin.  But, the loss of his sister and having to relate and talk to strangers on a personal, empathic level  would be something that would have a huge impact in changing the way he relates with people and communicates. Less of an arm’s length approach.