After thrashing South Sudan 103-86, Steve Kerr and Team USA are on a mission. Kerr and his 2024 Paris Olympics squad aren't just looking to defeat Puerto Rico during the group format. They're looking to demolish them, run up the score, and secure the No. 1 during the knockout quarterfinals portion of the tournament.
“Yeah, we talked with (the players) about it this morning, showed them the standings, showed them the point differential. We want the No. 1 seed,” Kerr said. “It gives you the best matchup in the quarterfinals. So if we drop down to two or three, which I think is unlikely, but we’ve got to take care of our business, we possibly have a much tougher opponent.”
While the Americans have already clinched a spot in the Olympic quarterfinals, upsets can still happen and can ruin where things are in the standings. With that in mind, they can't take Puerto Rico lightly, even with Team USA boasting eleven separate NBA All-Stars hoping to win the country's fifth consecutive gold medal.
“Obviously (in) FIBA, the point differential is a big thing, and so even the first two games, we were focusing on not taking our foot off like you do in the NBA sometimes,” Team USA guard Derrick White said. “It’s a little different than what we’re used to, but that’s all part of the tournament.”
Who could Team USA face in the Olympic quarterfinals?
If Team USA takes care of business against Puerto Rico, they should know who they face in the knockout round before tipoff. It all depends mainly on what happens in Pool A and B games on Friday and the outcome of Serbia-South Sudan in the Americans’ Pool C on Saturday.
As of Friday morning, Team USA was the No. 1 overall seed because it was 2-0 and held a point differential of plus-43. Germany is undefeated and a plus-33, but plays host nation France (also 2-0, with a plus-16 differential) Friday. The tournament’s other undefeated team, Canada, has a plus-17 differential and plays Spain (1-1) Friday.
If Serbia or South Sudan somehow clinch the No. 3 seed in the knockout round, Team USA cannot play them in the quarterfinals, per tournament rules. However, with Serbia and South Sudan not having played one another and with both teams already losing to Team USA, it seems unlikely. So, in all likelihood, Team USA will face the winner between France and Germany in the quarterfinals. From there, Team USA's quest to win their fifth straight gold medal will continue.
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