Good Morning, Illini Nation: UI targets helping Team USA dominate

Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

Team USA rolled through group play at the FIBA U17 World Cup. Dominated it, really, including a record-setting performance in a 146-62 victory against China. The closest game was a 23-point win against France in the team's opener. Then the U.S. won by 75, 84 and 96 points.

Helping make it all happen have been multiple Illinois recruiting targets. AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, averaged 14 points, 4.3 assists and four rebounds in just 18.8 minutes per game in group play. Five-star center Chris Cenac Jr. has come off the bench to put up 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game.

Four-star guard J.J. Mandaquit is also averaging 5.3 points and five assists in a backup role. And while Illinois is really in the mix anymore, Koa Peat, the son of former Champaign Central football star Todd Peat, is the team's second-leading scorer (behind Cameron Boozer) putting up 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and two assists per game.

The U.S. faces Canada in the quarterfinals today. Other quarterfinal matchups pit New Zealand against Lithuania, Puerto Rico against Italy and Spain against hosts Turkey.