INDIANAPOLIS -- It was the morning after the biggest collapse in USA Basketball history and Team USA had a major hangover.

"It was difficult to wake up this morning," coach George Karl said. "It was difficult to play another game."

Team USA finally took care of business Friday night and defeated Puerto Rico 84-74, but the victory, once again, wasn't easy.

Puerto Rico cut the U.S. lead to five with just 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. However, tough defense and some sharp shooting from the perimeter by Baron Davis and Paul Pierce helped Team USA pull away in the last five minutes of the game.

"It wasn't pretty, there was some lackluster to it," Karl said. "We haven't played a great game yet."

Puerto Rico was paced by two former NBA players, Daniel Santiago and Carlos Arroyo, who made an argument that they still belonged in the league. Santiago had 16 points and 18 rebounds and Arroyo chipped in 21 points and dished out 9 assists.

"Carlos put a little bit of a show on," Karl said. He also praised Santiago and said after the game several of his coaches wondered why he isn't in the league. "I think he'll get another shot."

Beating Puerto Rico was nice, but it was the fallout from Team USA's shocking meltdown that dominated discussion.

USA Basketball president Tom Jernstedt addressed the media before the game and offered his thoughts on how USA Basketball might prevent the same disaster from happening at the more high profile Olympic games in 2004.

"We're very, very disappointed," he said. "We expect to win. When we don't, we'll examine the reasons why and make the adjustments."

Jernstedt said the USA Basketball committee will consider all options including hiring a national team coach, appointing players to the U.S. team for longer periods and increasing the amount of time the team has to prepare for the competition.

He also revealed that discussions are already underway with representatives in the NBA and NCAA about adopting some FIBA rules as a way to get American players more familiar with the international game.

"It may be time to do that," he said. "We need to ask, is there a better way of doing things?"

Jernstedt said he especially liked the trapezoid lane rule that keeps the game from being dominated by low post play. "There are elements of the international game that are very positive. Basketball is now a global game and we have to try to review how we approach it."

Karl agreed to a point, "In a lot of ways the international game has a lot more 'trueness' to the game." Karl wondered, however, whether rules such as the 10 minute half and five foul rule would ever fly in the NBA. Both rules, according to Karl, made big differences for his team. "We've been in so much foul trouble."

USA Basketball's first concern, however, is putting together a qualifying team to play in the Tournament of the Americas next summer. Because Team USA did not win the gold medal here, they must be one of the top two or three teams (depending on whether Argentina wins the World Championships) in the event to qualify for the 2004 Olympics.

Another meltdown like the one this week and the U.S. would be left out of the Olympics for the first time ever. With the stakes so high, Jernstedt knows that they must begin preparing now.

"We have concerns now that it may be even more difficult to attract the top talent," Jernstedt said. While some believe that the U.S. losses will serve as a rallying cry for the top NBA players, Jernstedt wasn't so sure. USA Basketball may have to seriously consider promising NBA players who are willing to participate a slot on the 2004 Olympic team. "We're fairly certain that whoever makes a commitment will get careful consideration to represent the U.S. in the Olympics."

The composition of the team will be a major point of contention for the next few months. Should USA Basketball get away from the Dream Team idea and put together a team better suited for international competition? Are there too many NBA players on the squad? Those issues will be decided later. But Jernstedt did sketch out what type of players they will be seeking.

"We're looking for the very best players prepared to commit themselves to team basketball," he said.

Still, Jernstedt refused to criticize the play of this team and their coach. "No USA team has been better prepared than this one."

Karl said that, philosophically, the team America brought here to Indianapolis isn't that far away from being the best.

"I don't think USA Basketball is in bad shape. It's in good shape," Karl asserted. "I think the world will see U.S. basketball on top again . . . You don't need to blow this team up and change eight or nine players. We are just one or two select players away from being the best."

Notes
The Utah Jazz are close to signing Puerto Rico guard Carlos Arroyo to a one-year contract. ... Yugoslavian center Dejan Koturovic will visit with the Boston Celtics this week. ... Both the Spurs and Rockets are interested in Argentine forward Andres Noccioni, but his Spanish team Tau Ceramica has a $3 million buyout clause, making it unlikely he'll be in the NBA anytime soon.

ESPN TheMagazine's Ric Bucher contributed to this report. Chad Ford writes the daily NBA Insider column for ESPN Insider. To get a free 30-day trial, click here.