Aside from a test from the Lithuanians, Team USA Basketball cruised through group play at the 2012 London Olympics like all thought they would. But now, the games really start to matter. Team USA will face Australia today in the first round of medal play, with the loser being eliminated.
The U.S. should, of course, have little trouble dispatching the Aussies. Australia's team features only one NBA player: ex-Portland Trail Blazers and current San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills. For his NBA career, Mills averages six points per game. The rest of the team's players participate in pro leagues in Europe or Australia, with the exception of guard Matthew Dellavedova, who plays for the St. Mary's Gaels.
Golden State Warriors star Andrew Bogut, easily the best current Australian basketball player, could have posed a problem for the United State's thin front line, but he is not playing in this year's Olympics.
Game date: Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Game time: 4:15 p.m. CT
Location: North Greenwich Arena, London, England
TV: NBC Sports Network, NBC Olympics Basketball
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For comprehensive coverage of the 2012 London Games, visit SB Nation's Olympics news hub. Stay up to date on the medal count with Sports Illustrated's tracker.