Don't let the final score fool ya (88-61).

And don't let the half time score fool ya (US 33 - 36 USC).

Yes, the US shot 49% for the game. And 69% in the second half.

But they shot 35% in the first... and except for a flurry near the end of the half which brought them even with the Trojans, they were shooting in the mid to upper 20's and down by 11. And when they DID tie it at 33, USC nailed a 3 with four seconds left to take the lead.

I'm not sure what we're learning about the National team during this tour. Clearly,the tour has multiple purposes: it raises the profile of USA basketball (and the W); it allows top tier NCAA teams to test themselves against some top, organized talent; it serves as a homecoming for some players; it gives other players the chance to play for the National team -- which is a huge honor; and it gives college players a taste of what WNBA talent looks like.

At the USC press conference, Donovan spoke about what her goals for the college tour were:

Our biggest goal is to develop more team chemistry. This is the first time we've had Lisa back in the mix in a year. We've been training quite a bit over the last year with a lot of commitment from our perimeter players in Diana, Sue, Seimone and Katie Smith. We've done some great training, but haven't necessarily had our veteran post players with us. We're putting the pieces together now, our inside game and our outside game. So our goal on this college tour was to continue to develop our chemistry. We have definitely done that.

It's been great to see the development of our perimeter players, our younger players who have stepped up into much bigger roles since Athens. In the period of the time that we lost Lisa and Yolanda (Griffith) we've gotten that development from our perimeter game.

I thought it was intriguing that Donovan said the USC team surprised them... does that call into question the scouting by the assistants? Who knows...

So, what is the committee learning? Maybe something about the individual players, but as a whole, it is clear this group can't take the first half seriously. Sluggish and unfocused ain't going to cut it.

I also wonder whether they can learn as much as they would like about players. Even though it's a preseason game for the college players, it ain't that for Donovan. She can't pull a Geno and sit a player because they didn't pull their weight -- risking a loss. If the US team lost, can you imagine the hullaballoo? Never mind that this isn't the "real" US team....

And yes, I know they're tired, what with the travel. It's been a ridiculous schedule. But the Olympics is game/off day/game/off day. Without the travel, granted, but with an enormous amount of pressure. Seems to me this college tour is a close to recreating that atmosphere are you can get without participating in a tournment.

So count me an itty-bit concerned.... Tina, please stay healthy. Catch, good recovery to you. Lindsay, hope you had a great wedding. Katie, how're the threes falling? Ms. Smith, I hope dentistry doesn't steal your heart TOO soon....

On the other hand, when you consider the performances of all the college teams, you've got to be excited for this season and the not so distant future of women's basketball. (I LOVE the fact that everyone is talking about the post players.)

Last, and certainly not least, up for the National team: Nov. 15, 7pm at Stanford (who will be missing forward Michelle Harrison because of a torn ACL).

By the way, if there's anyone out there who understands the pressure Donovan (and any National team coach) feels, it would be Tara. Give yourself an early holiday present and read the two books on the 1996 team: Tara's unfailingly honest "Shooting from the Outside," and richly informative and revealing, "Venus to the Hoop."