As the United States men's basketball team prepares for its second group-stage game on Wednesday, all eyes are focused on their matchup against South Sudan, set to tip-off at 3 p.m. ET. This game holds significant importance, as the winner secures a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
Team USA enters the game on a high note, having secured a win in their opener against Serbia. South Sudan also boasts a victorious start, having triumphed over Puerto Rico. The stakes are high, and both teams are eager to continue their winning streaks.
Previous Encounters
The anticipation around this game is further fueled by a recent exhibition match between the United States and South Sudan. During this nail-biter, LeBron James managed to clinch a 101-100 victory for Team USA with a last-second shot. The close nature of that game left a lasting impression on both sides.
Reflecting on the exhibition, U.S. head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the narrow escape, stating, "They came within one shot of beating us." This close call was a wake-up call for the American team. "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win," said Steph Curry, emphasizing the team's need for vigilance.
Challenges Ahead
South Sudan's roster boasts a formidable lineup, including Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Notably, Carlik Jones posted a triple-double in the exhibition game against the Americans. In their opening win against Puerto Rico, Jones continued to shine with 19 points, six assists, and seven rebounds, while Shayok put up a striking 24 points, including six three-pointers. Gabriel also showcased his shooting skills, contributing three three-pointers in the exhibition game against the United States.
Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, adds another layer of complexity for the Americans to manage. The team’s ability to spread the floor and shoot a high volume of three-pointers poses a significant challenge. "They're a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism. So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia," Curry noted.
Team USA's Strategy
Team USA’s lineup against Serbia featured basketball giants Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid. Durant led the team with 23 points. Despite a recent shooting slump where Curry connected on 12 out of 31 shots, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc over the last three games, he still managed to contribute six points from a pair of three-pointers against Serbia. The absence of Jayson Tatum in the opener was a decision Kerr later regretted. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," Kerr admitted, emphasizing the need to fully utilize his bench's talent.
Looking ahead to the game, Kerr expressed his gratitude for the exhibition game’s insights. "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are," he remarked. This previous encounter has provided Team USA with a critical understanding of South Sudan’s capabilities, ensuring they are better prepared to counter their strategies.
Olympic Tournament Format
The game on Wednesday is part of the Olympic tournament format, which includes 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Each group competes in a round-robin schedule, with teams earning two points per win and one per loss. Tiebreakers for teams tied in standings are decided by head-to-head results. The top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals, transitioning into a single-elimination knockout tournament. Total score differentials are used to break ties for the wild card spots between teams from opposing groups.
As the United States gears up for this crucial game, the lessons learned from their previous narrow victory against South Sudan will likely inspire a more strategic approach. The path to the quarterfinals is fraught with challenges, but with the experience and talent within the team, they remain a formidable adversary on the court.