As the United States men's basketball team gears up for their second group-stage game against South Sudan on Wednesday, the stakes couldn't be higher. Scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off, this game will determine which team secures a spot in the quarterfinals, an achievement both teams are vying for after securing wins in their respective openers.
Team USA enters the game following a hard-fought victory over Serbia, a match marked by memorable performances from basketball icons. Kevin Durant led the charge with 23 points, supported by a star-studded lineup featuring LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid. Steve Kerr, the head coach of Team USA, opted not to play Jayson Tatum in the opener against Serbia, a decision he later questioned. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," Kerr admitted.
On the other side of the court, South Sudan is entering the match with momentum after their victory over Puerto Rico. The team's roster boasts standout players like Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Shayok proved his sharpshooting skills against the United States in a recent exhibition game, scoring 24 points, including six three-pointers. In the same game, Carlik Jones delivered a triple-double against the Americans and scored 19 points with six assists and seven rebounds in their win over Puerto Rico. "They came within one shot of beating us," recalled Kerr, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness South Sudan brings to the court.
This matchup goes beyond just securing a quarterfinal spot; it's a test of strategy and adaptability. “We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win,” emphasized Stephen Curry. The challenge lies in South Sudan's high-octane offense and their ability to spread the floor with athleticism and three-point shooting. “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 added.
South Sudan's recent outing against Team USA in the exhibition game left a lasting impression. It was a nail-biter that saw victory slip from South Sudan’s grasp in the final moments, as LeBron James made a last-second shot to clinch a 101-100 win for the United States. The exhibition was an eye-opener for Kerr and his squad. "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," said Kerr. This previous encounter sets the stage for an intense rematch in the group stage.
The Olympic format for basketball includes 12 teams divided into three groups of four, with each team playing in a round-robin schedule. Teams earn two points per win and one per loss, making every match crucial for standings. The top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals. From that point, the competition transitions into a single-elimination knockout tournament, where the stakes are even higher, and total score differentials break ties for wild card spots.
In the build-up to this critical game, the United States must address their shooting consistency, especially from beyond the arc. Stephen Curry's recent form has been shaky; he has shot 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from three, over the last three games. Against Serbia, he managed six points from a pair of three-pointers, a performance that will need to improve against a dynamic South Sudan team.
For South Sudan, the trio of Gabriel, Shayok, and Jones will be pivotal. Gabriel and Jones showed their three-point shooting prowess in the exhibition, hitting crucial shots that kept their team in contention. Moreover, Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, will also be a key player to watch.
As game day approaches, both teams are fine-tuning their strategies and preparing for a clash that promises high drama and electrifying basketball. Only one team will emerge victorious and secure their place in the quarterfinals, and if their previous encounters are any indication, fans are in for a thrilling match.