Rio 2016: USA Men’s Basketball Semifinal Preview vs. Spain

Rio 2016: USA Men’s Basketball Semifinal Preview vs. Spain

Expectations may be high for the USA men’s basketball team, but the players looked relaxed as they head into tomorrow’s semi-final game versus Spain. Paste stopped by the Flamengo club gym in Rio de Janeiro to watch USA practice and talked with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his team about the upcoming game.

“We’ve always felt Spain would have a gold medal chance,” Coach K said of Spain. “Why wouldn’t we think that. The last two gold-medal games we’ve played were against them and they were great, great games. They have a lot of those guys back. They have their key players from ‘08 and 2012. They’re a veteran outstanding team.”

USA looked dominant in their 105-78 quarterfinal win over Argentina after a group-stage scares from Serbia and France, who both managed to get within three points of the Americans. Spain finished second in their group with a 3-2 record.

Semifinals, Friday, August 19

USA vs. Spain, 2:30 pm EST
Serbia vs. Australia, 6 pm EST

Bronze and Gold Medal Games, Sunday, August 21

USA-Spain loser vs. Australia-Serbia loser, 10:30 am EST
USA-Spain winner vs. Australia-Serbia winner, 2:45 pm EST

 
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