Together with their matches from the USA Basketball Showcase, Group USA males’s basketball is 7-0, as they opened Olympic group play with a dominating 110-84 win in opposition to Serbia and a 103-86 win over South Sudan on Wednesday to safe a spot within the quarterfinals. Though the Individuals are heavy favorites to win gold, they need to stay poised, as a single-elimination event can yield unpredictable outcomes.
To keep away from an upset, the U.S. ought to pay specific consideration to those three groups:
1. Germany
Given its mix of expertise at each place and championship pedigree because the 2023 FIBA World Cup champions, Germany appears to be like to be the Individuals’ most formidable opponent within the event ought to the 2 play one another.
Germany’s chemistry and depth are already evident within the group stage, because it holds the second-highest level differential of the Olympics (+33), having defeated Japan (97-77) and Brazil (86-73) with ease.
Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder have fueled Germany’s offense with their skill to assault downhill. Whereas neither participant is a powerful shooter (14.3% and 33.3% from three this Olympics, respectively), Wagner (19.5 PPG) and Schroder (16.5 PPG) are efficient finishers and playmakers once they penetrate the paint, forcing groups to assist and double. With adept capturing and slashing surrounding these two, opponents are pressured to choose their battles.
