Paul Hewitt's first exhibition with the Team USA U19 squad doesn't go well

The team USA U19 squad and Paul Hewitt got a wake-up call over the weekend with a 101-72 drubbing at the hands of Lithuania. Not exactly exciting news for Mason's new head coach but remember it was an exhibition game. Team USA shot 2-for-15 and were down 32-8 in the 1st quarter. They never got closer than 15 points for the remainder of the game. The 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men is being held June 30-July 10 in Valmiera, Liepaja and Riga, Latvia. They are in Group D, along with China, Egypt and Serbia. Their first preliminary round game is against Egypt on June 30.

Despite how the team performs this summer I think the international experience only helps Coach Hewitt entering the 2011-2012 college season. The different styles of play and talent he and his squad will have to endure will be quite a challenge.  Trying to bring a team together so quickly is no easy task and it's basically what he will have to be doing shortly after with this year's George Mason squad.