THE SEOUL GAMES / DAY 10 : Men’s Basketball : U.S. Rolls Toward Soviet Rematch

And now for the game someone must be waiting for.

In the thundering style that is becoming familiar, the United States hammered Puerto Rico, 94-57, Monday to reach the semifinals of the men’s basketball competition, and guess whose empire, evil or otherwise, figures to be next?

Try the Soviet Union, which was a solid favorite to beat Brazil Monday night.

Are the Americans psyched, or what? Isn’t this going to be the game of their lives?

“No,” said David Robinson, pleasantly. “Why would it?

“Like I said, we’re here for a goal. We’re going for the gold. If the Soviets are in our way, that’s another casualty we’re going to have to take care of.”

Remember ‘72, Dave?

That was the last Olympic meeting between the two, with the Soviets winning/being handed a 51-50 victory, the lone U.S. loss in 84 games. That was after the officials let the Soviets take the last play over twice, and a Soviet guard threw a length-of-the-court pass to Alexander Belov, who knocked down two U.S. defenders and scored the winning basket.

Robinson remembers. This team doesn’t have many players who were far out of the sandbox in 1972, but Robinson was one.

“I saw the game on TV,” he said. “I was 7 or 8.”

What did he think?

“I just thought the U.S. got robbed and everything. I didn’t really understand the importance of the Olympics, but it was obviously a very big thing. I just felt like we got cheated.

“Hopefully, we won’t put ourselves in that kind of situation. We don’t want to even be close at the end.”

And he must still be burning with righteous indignation, right?

“That was a long time ago,” Robinson said.

For the Soviets, the rematch may still be a little too soon. They’ve played badly here, and the Americans have flattened everything in sight.

No one has been within 37 points of them in the last three games, but this wasn’t some Egypt (102-35) or China (108-57).

The Puerto Ricans beat the Yugoslavs here and gagged on their chance to beat the Soviets, missing their last 7 free throws and blowing a 10-point lead in the last 6:30. A year ago, they tied the U.S. Pan American team at the half and lost by only 80-75.

Question: What does the Pan-Am team have in common with this one?

Answer: Robinson, Danny Manning, Willie Anderson and little else.

The Americans hit Puerto Rico with a withering press and introduced them to also-ran status early. Jose Ortiz, the former Oregon State Beaver and Utah Jazz No. 1 pick who had 31 points and 9 rebounds in the Pan-Ams, had 10 points and 7 rebounds Monday.

“I would say the difference is the coaching style,” Ortiz said.

“It’s totally different than last year. Who was the coach, (Dean) Smith?”

Denny Crum, actually, although some may not have noticed, including some on the team.

“This is a different team, coach, philosophy, players,” Robinson said.

And Robinson’s previous comments about breakdowns in camaraderie, complaints about playing time, etc.?

“I don’t want to look back at the Pan American team. Whatever happened, happened. This year we’re not going to let that happen.”

So far, it hasn’t. Score one for John Thompson.

“I think he’s done a fine job putting together the kind of team he feels comfortable with,” says Arizona Coach Lute Olson, who is here doing radio commentary. “I didn’t see anyone out there today who couldn’t get in your face and play defense full-court. They’re very unselfish.

“It’s a typical John Thompson team. They come at you. They’re going to give you every ounce they’ve got for 40 minutes.”

Unselfish? Manning had 18 points in the first half and shot only once in the second.

Thompson, of course, has yet to announce his approval of anything but his players’ effort and self-sacrifice. Of course, everyone knows it’s just a motivational ploy, right?

“He’s serious,” Robinson said. “I feel happy because I think we’re improving. He’s got a coach’s viewpoint. I don’t have the overall point of view. I see what’s going on out on the court. I see the spirit. I get a general feeling from the team, and it’s a good feeling.”