The New Zealand men's basketball team's assistant coach Dillon Boucher concedes the Tall Blacks struggled with the Russian defence in their 89-76 loss in Slovenia this morning but says the experience was invaluable.
The Tall Blacks' offence was suffocated by Russia's unusual zone defence and battled to find any rhythm in Maribor.
Boucher says although the result was disappointing the Tall Blacks are still a work in progress as the build towards the World Championships in Turkey at the end of the month.
The Tall Blacks tip off their world champs campaign on August the 28th.
