John Beilein learns new tricks at World University Games

While Michigan’s assistant coaches were busy on the recruiting trail over the past few weeks, John Beilein was in Kazan, Russia, contributing as an assistant coach for Team USA at the World University Games. The United States finished a disappointing ninth, after a 94-85 loss to Canada in the final game of the preliminary round knocked them out of medal contention. However, despite the less-than-stellar finish, Beilein said it was a great experience. He also offered a partial explanation for what he saw as the main hurdle for team USA. “It was really good. I learned a lot,” Beilein said. “I think the World University Games is a different dynamic now because we’re in that spot where there’s the World Championship, the Olympic team, basically pro players, the U19, the U18, U17, that’s a different dynamic. I don’t know if any other countries are that prepared at that age — those kids know each other. Ours is a different thing. “The national teams at particularly Canada, Australia and R...