BEIJING — By the time Saturday's mano-a-mano batalla grande between the USA and Spain at the Beijing Olympics begins at 10:15 a.m. on the East coast, you should be salivating for a long look at Spanish guard Ricky Rubio.

Even USA coach Mike Krzyzewski had to get in on the appetite whetting in advance of the game.

"I hear he wanted to go to Duke," Krzyzewski said on Friday at the U.S. practice session at Beijing Normal University.

BEIJING — There's a 17-year old kid roaming the hardwood for Spain here in Beijing and you'd do well to catch a glimpse.

Guard Ricky Rubio has already been on the floor for Spain in key spots, like when Spain and China were tied at 72-72 with 12.4 seconds left in the game.

Rubio first fouled China guard Liu Wei, then on the next possession, continued to harass him until he was able to force Liu to give up the ball.

Rubio saved it going out of bounds and managed to throw it off Liu's leg giving Spain possession for one last shot in regulation.

Rubio had been protected from the media for most of his first season in Spain's professional league. But you wouldn't know it. He also had the best answer when a reporter asked him to describe his game afterwards.

Reporter: Who did you pattern your game after?

Rubio: I'm Ricky Rubio. I can't be anyone else.