Auburn basketball: Win or lose against Israeli National Team, Holy Land trip was rousing success
Auburn basketball concludes its tour of Israel on Monday afternoon/morning (United States time) following two wins over the Israeli U-20 National Team and the Israeli All-Star Select Team in a pair of massive blowouts.
The first was a merciless drubbing of the under-20 squad where any outlet pass Israel tried, the Tigers turned into points. Auburn triumphed in their Holy Land opener 119-56 despite rough shooting out of the gates.
Overwhelming athleticism on AU’s end ruled the day again against the Israeli All-Star Select Team on Sunday as well, when the Tigers pulled away in the second quarter and then tore it completely off by running the lead up to 36 in a 107-71 walloping.
Perhaps the best part about the Game 2 victory was Chance Westry’s unreal 18-point, seven-steal stat-line. That along with continued evidence that Johni Broome is the next Walker Kessler and Yohan Traore being the perfect power forward fit either behind Jaylin Williams or in the first five. Game 1 was just an outpouring of points from everyone, with the frontcourt being the particular highlight on both ends.
Auburn basketball had a successful Israel trip no matter the results against the Israeli National Team
The Israeli National Team owns a win over Albania in 2022, and is comprised of the top basketball players in the entire country. With a history of sharpshooters dating back to Omri Casspi and persisting to this day in the NBA with Deni Avdija, Israel (like most national teams) is a well-oiled machine.
The competition is going to be tougher for the Tigers on Monday, but Auburn basketball would likely be favored slightly–Fly War Eagle would estimate AU being 2.5-4.5 point favorites–and should still have the upper-hand on superior athleticism and size.
Being that several Tigers got baptized in the Jordan River and floated in the Dead Sea, this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of the team and cannot be taken for granted. It won’t be for those involved.
The damn fine basketball being displayed in the Holy Land was just an added bonus.