Miami Basketball G D.J. Vasiljevic Remains Hot to Lead Aus over Lithuania
Miami basketball reserve guard D.J. Vasiljevic scored 28 points for the second straight game to lead Australia to an 84-82 victory over Lithuania in the World University games. The Boomers are 1-1 through two games in pool play.
Vasiljevic has been Australia’s leading scorer in each of the first two games. He and Xavier Cooks have been the dominant players offensively for the Boomers basketball team. Vasiljevic will be one of Miami Basketball’s most valuable players off the bench in 2017-18.
Vasiljevic scored 28 points on nine of 17 from the floor, six of 10 from three-point range and four of four from the line. He also had three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Cooks finished with 20 points and six rebounds.
Australia survived a valiant comeback by Lithuania. The Boomers led by a point entering the final stanza. Lithuania outscored Australia 26-12 in the final ten minutes to create an exciting finish.
The Australian basketball site PickandRoll.Com has been doing an outstanding job covering the games. They observed that Vasiljevic has shown confidence through the Boomers first two games.
"“Vasiljevic immediately picked up from where he left off last game, looking super confident coming off the dribble and screens away from the ball.”"
His offensive prowess through the first two games is extremely encouraging for Miami. If he can continue his confidence when the Miami basketball season starts in three months will greatly improve the Miami offense.
That would give Miami a lot of firepower on the perimeter. The Hurricanes struggled at times offensively last season. A lot of pressure was put on the now departed Davon Reed and Sophomore Bruce Brown.
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If someone other than Brown and Freshman Lonnie Walker can contribute offensively consistently than the Hurricanes should be among the ACC’s elite.
Vasiljevic took the game over in the third quarter. He scored 15 points as the Boomers outscored Lithuania 28-19. PickandRoll said of Vasiljevic’s performance.
"“The Miami Hurricane lit it up from deep, scoring triples seemingly at will. It didn’t matter if they were contested, from two metres behind the line, or with the shot clock running down, or a combination of all three – they were all dropping!”"
Brown, Walker and returning starting point guard Ja’Quan Newton figure to be Miami’s go to players in the clutch this season. Vasiljevic is showing in Taipei that Jim Larranaga can count on him if he has to. Vasiljevic hit some big shots for the Boomers down the stretch.
"“It was no surprise that Vasiljevic delivered down the stretch. He knocked down a crucial mid-range jumper to stretch the lead out to five with under 30 seconds to go. After (Gorjok) Gak was called for a goal-tend, Vasiljevic would bury two shots from the free throw line, again coming up clutch."
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Australia will have Tuesday off before they resume pool play on Wednesday. The game will be live-streamed at 3 AM ET.