Watch this: Hawkeye Aaron White Dunks All Over the United Arab Emirates

The World University Games got underway today in Kazan, Russia, and the United States men's basketball team (featuring Iowa's own Aaron White) wasted no time in making a statement in their first game, smashing the United Arab Emirates, 140-46. Let's be clear: the United Arab Emirates team that the USA dismantled is not very good. That much was likely clear to anyone who watched 5-10 minutes of the game today. The United States was bigger, faster, and stronger than the UAE team and that physical advantage allowed them to cruise to a very easy victory.

We played the Czech Republic early today and won, 96-53. I had an off game and was in foul trouble with two quick fouls in the first two minutes that I was in the game (Fran would have been livid at the calls haha).

I sat the rest of the half and never found my rhythm. I finished with two points and three boards on 1-4 shooting.

We have tonight off and tomorrow we don't play. I believe as a team we are going to go watch the women's team play and support them tonight. Tomorrow we are touring the Kremlin. From my understanding there are five of them in Russia -- it's basically a historically government building.

Tomorrow evening we will have a practice to tighten up some things on offense and learn from our mistakes from the first two games. Should be a good day!

We've got two out of the way... six more for that gold. Talk to y'all Wednesday after we play Sweden!