CHICAGO -- Nearly every time coach Mike Krzyzewski and USA Basketball boss Jerry Colangelo stage a reunion in their hometown, theres plenty of backslapping, a trophy gleaming in the background and the only thing they have to protect is their cocktails. This time around, its about safeguarding the Olympic legacy the two built over more than a decade.Their partnership took hold in the wake of the Abomination in Athens, when a U.S. team coached by Larry Brown and packed with high-maintenance, highlight-reel guys who slept through wake-up calls couldnt rouse themselves in time for the medal round. They left the 2004 Summer Games with a consolation prize of bronze and the programs reputation in tatters.Colangelo, a former NBA and MLB executive and once a fine athlete in his own right, agreed to pick up the pieces on one condition: I get to make all the rules.Instead of submitting the names of the players he wanted to a selection committee, Colangelo picked his own. Instead of contacting their agents to set up meetings, he called some directly and collared others as they clambered off the team bus at NBA arenas across the country. No one told him no.Once he shaped a roster that reflected his philosophy -- that the best teams are made up of complementary parts instead of just the best ones available -- there was only one guy Colangelo wanted to coach them.Were both Chicago guys through and through, Colangelo said Thursday, while the Team USA practiced for Fridays exhibition here against Venezuela. A lot of the bond we felt right off the bat had to do with the lunch-bucket beginnings both of us had.Gold medals at Beijing and London followed in their wake, and the mix of players buzzing around Krzyzewski at practice -- bona fide NBA stars like Kevin Durant and others like Kyle Lowry and DeAndre Jordan, who bring specific skill-sets to the floor -- suggest their approach hasnt changed. The only surprise about this edition is Colangelo found yet another way to get Coach K to sign on for another tour of duty.Theres usually lots of wine involved, but it hasnt really been that tough, said Colangelo, laughing.In 2009, both were on hand for a National Association of Basketball Coaches Court of Honor gala feting Colangelo and Team USAs success at the Olympics a year earlier. Colangelo worked the room in his familiar style, shifting his drink often to avoid spilling it as he accepted handshakes, hugs and posed for pictures with old friends. Krzyzewski, who served as toastmaster, still hadnt made up his mind about London.We got that taken care of at 3 a.m. that morning in the lobby over pizza and wine, Colangelo said. I remember after London, Mike was really wiped out. I thought Id lay low and didnt bother him for two weeks, then he called me. `Jerry, he says, `Im already going through withdrawal.Krzyzewski, whose day job is coaching Duke, chuckles at the memory. Theres so little daylight between the two men about basketball and how its played that the few disagreements usually surface only at mealtime.Yeah, were both Chicago guys, but Im Polish and hes Italian, Krzyzewski said. Hes always reminding that they have better restaurants and more of them.I hate to say it, Coach K added a moment later, but hes probably right.That kind of continuity at the top of the program sets the tone, but it doesnt explain all the success. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, whos been along for the ride as an assistant, describes both men as strong-willed and problem-solvers, but also guys who are smart and secure enough to welcome input from the team, top to bottom.Youll never hear them say this is `their program, Boeheim added. Its everybodys program. They make that clear from the outset. Guys buy in faster and stronger when they feel an ownership stake. They feel respected and listened to. ... If you want to know the `secret, its that. They share the credit and the responsibility.Yet by the time practice wrapped up and the talk turned to dinner, one voice counted more than all the rest.Were going for Italian, said Colangelo, smiling. I know a great place downtown. USWNT Gear .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Custom USWNT Jerseys . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Cheap USWNT Jerseys . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Fake USWNT Jerseys . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. A last gasp Nathan Hughes try, converted by Jimmy Gopperth secured a 20-20 draw for Wasps against Toulouse in Champions Cup Pool Two action.?Wasps lived off scraps in the opening half as Toulouse laid siege to their line, but couldnt cross the whitewash.?Sébastien Bézy sent a fifth inute penalty wide and having been penalised for offside, Wasps took a 3-0 lead courtesy of the boot of Jimmy Gopperth. Bézy replied with two penalties on 24 adn 31 but Gopperth had the sides level at the break with his second kick of the game.it should have been worse for Wasps who conceded two penalties at the scrum five metres from their own line on the stroke of half-time before but a massive defensive shift saw the ball held up as Toulouse attacked on the third scrum.The second-half began with another barrage of Toulouse attacks and they were finally rewarded when Cipriani opted for a chip metres from his own try-line.?Thierry Dusautoir charged the kick down and Johnson was on hand to touch the ball down for a 13-6 lead 10 minutes after the restart.But as Toulouse tired,?Chhristian Wade found more and more space and it was his break that set up Wasps match-leveling converted try as the ball went through the hands of Kyle Eastmond and Elliot Daly onto Josh Bassett who raced in to score.dddddddddddd Gopperth tied the game with a conversion with 16 minutes remaining.?Gael Fickou seemed to break Wasps hearts when he tore through the Wasps defense to touch down.?Bézy converted and Toulouse were hammering the Toulosue line as the game entered the final 10 minutes but a master defensive display prevented Toulouse from getting a clinching score.?And after being denied late by a converted try against Connacht last week, the Toulouse fans were left whistling in dismay once more as?Nathan Hughes walked over Paul Perez to dot down on the right. It left Jimmy Gopperth with a difficult kick but one he had the measure of to keep Wasps second in the pool and leave France with what could be two precious points.? ' ' '