THE SIDELINES : U.S. Routs Korea in Basketball

Things looked a lot different today for the U.S. basketball team--on both sides of the court.

The United States routed South Korea, 146-67, a far cry from the harried, overtime victory over Greece in Wednesday’s opening round of basketball’s World Cup.

Granted, South Korea had no player on its roster over 6-foot-6 and the United States often had four players on the floor as tall as that or taller. But the U.S. team still looked impressive.

“We have more talent than South Korea and should win,” U.S. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “But in winning today we played well. You can win and play poorly.”

That was a reference to the 103-95 victory over Greece, a game that seemed long forgotten by the time the rout of South Korea had ended.

Alonzo Mourning had 29 points in less than 19 minutes to lead the United States, which shot 73% from the field and out-rebounded the South Koreans, 54-17.