The United States often didn't look dominant, but by winning out during the qualification rounds, they are the top seed in the 2016 Olympics men's basketball knockout round. They are set to face Argentina, led by Manu Ginobili and several other current or former NBA players, on Wednesday.
Olympic basketball schedule 2016: Team USA opens quarterfinals against Argentina
The elimination stage of the Olympics basketball tournament has begun, and Team USA is up against Manu Ginobili and Argentina first.
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
There are a handful of problems with Team USA this year, mostly coming back to their defense and their lack of continuity. It hasn't been enough to dethrone them as the favorites of these tournaments, but it certainly puts them in a more vulnerable position than they've been in for years. If a hot shooting night from an opponent overlaps with a bad one from Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, it might be more than this iteration of Team USA can handle.
Argentina lost games to Lithuania and Spain during preliminary play, while narrowing beating Brazil, who missed the final cut. It’s likely this isn’t the team that the United States would struggle against most.
Other quarterfinals will take place between Australia and Lithuania, Spain and France, and Croatia and Serbia. France and Spain have a storied history in basketball, with several notable clashes between the two neighboring countries over the years. That should make for good television. Meanwhile, Australia has surprised everyone by winning four of their five preliminary games due to a ferocious offense. They’ll go up against Lithuania, a team that always shows up in the international competitions.
2016 Rio Olympics Men’s basketball coverage for Monday
All times Eastern
10 a.m. - Australia vs. Lithuania (online stream)
1:30 p.m. - Spain vs. France (online stream)
5:45 p.m. - United States vs. Argentina (online stream)
9:15 p.m. - Croatia vs. Serbia (online stream)
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