KEARNS, Utah -- ??? Skaters know theyre not going to be posting the same times early in the ISU World Cup season as they will later on, but theres the hope of getting off to a gd start.The United States had three men and three women advance to the elimination rounds of the ISU World Cup short track speed skating session Friday.Last week I really wanted to be top 16 and it went way better than that, two-time Olympic medalist Katherine Reutter said. This week I think I can be a little more hopeful. Id be really happy if I was in the top eight, but I wouldnt be upset if I was in the top 12. ... Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake.The season is long. ... The way you race in November may have almost nothing to do with how you race in March. ... I know things can come and go really quickly.Keith Carroll Jr. moved on to the semifinal in the 1,500 meters (2:13.153) and 1,000 despite being taken out in the 1,000. Carroll Jr., however, fell during the 5,000-meter relay to take the U.S. out of contention. Teammate John-Henry Krueger advanced in both 1,500 divisions.Being here at home, I want to have a gd showing, Carroll said. The relay event, I definitely feel like were one of the faster teams. We can keep up with anyone. It was really disappointing to go down in the first round like that.Individually, my No. 1 goal is always try to get through this first day and qualify for the World Cup round. ... Saturday and Sunday will be ultra-competitive. I just want to have a really gd showing.Reutter starred for the women by qualifying in both the 1,000 (11.166) and 1,500 (2:25.940).Kristen Santos also qualified in the 1000, and Ryan Pivirotto and Jessica Kreman both qualified for the 1,500 semifinals.China, South Korea, Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada all had strong days on the mens side as they advanced in the 5,000 relay and had all four members of the team move on in at least one other event.Today went pretty decent, U.S. mens coach Anthony Barthell said. Had a couple guys that I thought would make it through the first round, but didnt make it. But it was a gd learning experience.(The goal was) to try to have as many people in the quarterfinals and semis as possible. Right now were on track for four. So thats gd.The Chinese and Canadian women both advanced in the 3,000 relay and had each member advance in at least one other event.This event is the second of six ISU World Cups this season. 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DeMarcus Cousins considers the thought, and one of the NBAs most recognizable scowls quickly turns into a bright smile.Without saying a word, its clear he agrees: For the first time under Mike Krzyzewski, the U.S. Olympic basketball team has a genuine offensive weapon in the middle.The Americans might even have the best center in the world.Cousins had 14 points and 15 rebounds in just 16 minutes of the Americans exhibition opener, a 111-74 victory over Argentina. The Sacramento Kings star can score inside and out, and gives the U.S. a dimension it hasnt had while winning the last two gold medals.DeMarcus is going to be a force in Rio, teammate Klay Thompson said.The center spot has almost been an afterthought on recent U.S. teams, who much preferred playing small to pounding the ball inside. Then again, none had a bulldog like Cousins, as Kevin Durant called him.Theres been a lot of great bigs come through this program, so Im blessed to be in this situation, Cousins said. Im honored to be in this situation. Im not really in it to say whos the best at what position, Im just here to help the team win. So weve got one goal in mind, which is the gold, and thats only thing Im focused on right now.Along with that gold, Cousins could bring back something else from the Olympics.His NBA career has been six seasons of bad teams and bad mds, the constant losing in Sacramento and the chaos in the organization often overshadowing his play. He doesnt hide his unhappiness, and many times if hes not shouting, its only because hes sulking.The 6-ft-11 center out of Kentucky averaged a career-high 26.9 points last season, fourth in the NBA, and was fifth in the league with 11.5 rebounds per game. But the Kings missed the playoffs again, as they have every season since taking Cousins with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft, and his bickering with coach George Karl generated more headlines than anything he or the Kings did on the court.Now hell spend a month around a team that does nothing but win, and maybe that mentality will rub off on him.It can only help him, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.I think all the players who play for us are better people for it. They become better players. As a result, they get absorbed in the culture and that culture they bring back to their respective teams, and ultimately they benefit.Colangelo wasnt cerrtain about Cousins as a young player, saying in 2012 that he needed to be more mature as a person, as a player and had a lot of growing up to do.ddddddddddddHe now believes they have a great relationship thats developed over time.As has Cousins role with the U.S. program. He backed up Anthony Davis in the 2014 Basketball World Cup, but with Davis recovering from injuries, Cousins has a gd chance to step into the starting role.The Americans started Dwight Howard at center in 2008 and Tyson Chandler in 2012. Both are former NBA defensive players of the year, but neither possesses Cousins offensive repertoire.DeMarcus is a different player, said U.S. veteran Carmelo Anthony, who then focused not only on what Cousins brings, but what he can bring home.Hes a big who can sht, hes a big who can post, hes tough, hes a hell of a rebounder, Anthony said. But the most exciting thing I like about having DeMarcus out here now is he gets a chance to see how everybody else is working. Work ethic. To see him jumping into lines, to see him asking can somebody work with him, staying after, coming in before, that work ethic is something that it spills over to everybody else. When you see your peers working that hard, it makes you want to be a part of that.Cousins doesnt like comparing the U.S. experience to his pro one, but praises the way the Americans do little things that get forgotten in the NBA. He came to camp in great shape and seems committed to being a gd teammate, whether he starts or backs up the Clippers DeAndre Jordan.Hes totally invested in what were doing, Krzyzewski said.Next up for Cousins and the Americans is their second exhibition game on Sunday against China in Los Angeles.When its over, Durant and Thompson will return to an NBA team with title hopes. Cousins future might be the usual losing and trade rumors, so hell miss being around a winning team.But maybe he can help build one.When you leave winning situations, its always going to be hard. I mean, who doesnt enjoy winning? Cousins said. But Im also always ready to get back. Im ready to share my experience with my teammates ... get the season kicked off on the right ft.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney ' ' '