TURKEY BOUND - Rautins in fine fettle as Orange keep rolling on

SYRACUSE (2010 FIBA World Championship) - One Canada international that is building up a full head of steam ahead of the FIBA World Championship in Turkey is Andy Rautins of Syracuse University.

The fifth-year senior has helped fire the Orange to the number one ranking in the land and on Tuesday night, the sharpshooting guard played his last-ever home game with the school.

He drilled four of nine shots from long range and finished with 14 points in Syracuse’s 85-66 demolition of St John’s at the Carrier Dome.

Rautins, whose Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is an assistant with Team USA, also had seven assists, two rebounds and a steal as Syracuse clinched the Big East Regular Season title.

"I really couldn't think of a better way to go out," said Rautins.

"We're not going to be satisfied just yet."

While he’s hoping to make it in the NBA, Rautins is also looking to make a statement with his country when they go up against Spain, Lithuania, France, New Zealand and Lebanon in Group D of the FIBA World Championship.

Rautins’ father, Leo, who also played at Syracuse and was on hand to watch his son play against St John’s, is the coach of Canada.

Other players hoping to reach the FIBA World Championship were in action on Tuesday night in the American college ranks, the NBA and Europe. Here is a look at some of the performances.

Australia

• A.J. Ogilvy – The junior center of the Vanderbilt Commodores had 16 points and eight rebounds as Vandy edged Florida, 64-60.
• Mark Worthington – The forward made his Eurocup bow with Brose Baskets Bamberg and had 10 points and six rebounds in just under 18 minutes as the German team won 84-81 over Panellinios BC.

Lithuania

• Donatas Montiejunas – Benetton Treviso’s 2.13m forward scored nine points and corralled six rebounds in their 72-68 Eurocup victory over Bilbao. The 19-year-old is hoping to play for Kestutis Kemzura this summer when the Lithuania compete in Group D of the FIBA World Championship.

Germany

• Elias Harris – The Gonzaga freshman poured in nine points and grabbed six boards in the Zags’ 78-59 victory over the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners in American college basketball. Harris played for Germany at last year’s EuroBasket in Poland.

Serbia

• Nenad Krstic – The Serbia captain scored 14 points and hauled in nine rebounds as Oklahoma City defeated Sacramento 113-107 in the NBA.

Team USA

• Kevin Durant – The 6ft 9in Durant showed why he’s a certainty to make the American squad with a game-high 39 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City. Durant has played so well that he could force his way into the reckoning in the league MVP race. His 29.8 points per game average is second only to Cleveland’s LeBron James’ 29.9.
• Kobe Bryant – The Los Angeles Lakers ace finished with 24 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 122-99 home win over Indiana.

Spain

• Pau Gasol – The Spain seven-footer had 14 points, 16 rebounds, a block and a steal in the Lakers’ win over the Pacers.

Croatia

• Marko Popovic – The shooting guard scored 22 points in Unics Kazan’s 92-89 home triumph over Galatasaray in the Eurocup.

FIBA