Quarterfinals: USA vs. Australia

[JGX]

Not normally thought of as a big rivalry but the teams had some heated games in 2000 and 2008.

[Chopin]

This is going to be the most boring game of all quarter finals. Americans always seem to get the easiest oponent in the quarter and semis. Well it is not the americans to blame, because it seems that all the good teams want to avoid them before the finals . With the easy schedule and only one actually competitive game (the finals) I actually dont see a way for them to loose a game on this tournament. I expect another blowout win against Australia and an easy win against tired Argies in the semis...
For me the countries that have the biggest potential to upset this USA team in a knock-out game on the tournament are Russia, France, Spain and Lithuania. Too bad they are going to play only one game against one of those 4 in the knock-out stage, it could be more interesting tournament. Well...That is the way I see it.

[Wayne White]

I wish Kyrie Irving Cavs last year rookie of the year in the NBA would of played for the aussies. He was born their and consider playing for them since he didn't have much of a shot at making the American NT, he has some serious game and could of helped the auss's greatly in these games. Oh well 2016 he most likely will be one of the headline names along with Davis for the American NT, and in 2014WC.

[Pleasant]

I know three or four Aussie fans who strongly believe - not just hope - that Australia will upset the US. If so, would this be the biggest Olympic basketball upset of all time?

I take Team USA by 12, unless they blow it open late. Then again, every single one of my predictions has been wrong so far :P

[Dtown]

It would but I can't see it happening. Australia is scrappy though, they'll give the US a fight, at least for a little while.

[NorCal]

I think this is a trap game for the USA as they will probably underestimate Australia and allow them to be in the game for longer than they should be. However, Team USA's margin for error is so big against Australia that I don't see them losing. USA by 18.

In re: Wayne White's comments on Irving. I would have liked to see him suit up for Australia too but he's likely to be our starting PG for 2016 IMO. And you're right, I bet he'll be a star for our 2014 WC team as well.

[Navarro #7]

If everything goes normal we will see Australia giving trouble to USA for a quarter. USA can break too easily every rival they meet, and surely today nothing will change.

For the sake of neutral spectators I would like a balanced match, but it wouldn't be realistic to expect it.

I predict a USA victory by 20 or more points.

[Victorious]

I would have loved seeing the USA play their first KO game against any of the other European teams or Brazil. It looks so easy for them going into the semi finals. While their next oponent will have to pull up a fight to get there.

I would also love to see both Spain as well as Russia play against the US, but it's going to just one of them. The only interesting game will be the final. Probably Spain or Russia. If it's Russia, that means that Spain did not reach its full potential this tournament.

[bobo81]

I can see US going back to its lazy game with this one...Oz will be very physical in this game, as they always have been against USA.

I'm curious to see if KoPlease will continue is shot jacking antics or play wiser. Like everyone else wish Irving was playing for the Boomers...Would've been great to see. At least Mills has the speed advantage, especially against DWill, who will probably slip 4-5 times this game.

If US play comfort ball they won't win large. If Oz hits their shots US will have to intensify its D (Duh)

[Warped]

I think the US learned its lesson from the Lithuania game and the 1st half of the Argentina game and should come out with some fire and pull away to an easy win.

I could be wrong though.

[Barney Stinson]

The USA is going to steamroll Australia

[jiggawhat]

This won't be close. Patty Mills will not be able to handle opposing defense. Once he is out of the picture it is over. If Bogut was here this may have been a different story.

[Cryotek]

This won't be close. Patty Mills will not be able to handle opposing defense. Once he is out of the picture it is over. If Bogut was here this may have been a different story.

Mills will have a hard time guarding CP3, DWill and Westbrook...

[Richey666]

Referees are doing everything to turn it into a FT contest.

[rikhardur]

Referees are doing everything to turn it into a FT contest.

Why should you worry? USA are going to win 30+.