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After previewing Group A yesterday, we now move onto Group B, with the ideal for every team to finish first, and avoid the USA until the final.
While the general theme in Group A was asking if anyone could actually hope to stop the might of the USA, now it is about avoiding them until the last game of the tournament, securing at least a silver medal.
The gap between the USA and any team, whether in Group A or this group is huge and therefore finishing first is pivotal to avoid them.
While Spain and Argentina are the obvious choices to take out this group, being ranked highly in the world and having experience in big matches, a case could be mounted for just about every team in this group.
Strong squads have been named all around and indeed every team has players currently in the NBA.
| Date | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 |
| Mon Aug 8 | 3:15 AM | Brazil | Lithuania |
| Mon Aug 8 | 8:00 AM | Croatia | Spain |
| Mon Aug 8 | 11:30 AM | Nigeria | Argentina |
| Wed Aug 10 | 3:15 AM | Spain | Brazil |
| Wed Aug 10 | 8:00 AM | Lithuania | Nigeria |
| Wed Aug 10 | 11:30 AM | Argentina | Croatia |
| Fri Aug 12 | 3:15 AM | Brazil | Croatia |
| Fri Aug 12 | 8:00 AM | Nigeria | Spain |
| Fri Aug 12 | 11:30 AM | Lithuania | Argentina |
| Sun Aug 14 | 3:15 AM | Argentina | Brazil |
| Sun Aug 14 | 8:00 AM | Spain | Lithuania |
| Sun Aug 14 | 11:30 AM | Croatia | Nigeria |
| Tue Aug 16 | 3:15 AM | Nigeria | Brazil |
| Tue Aug 16 | 8:00 AM | Spain | Argentina |
| Tue Aug 16 | 11:30 AM | Lithuania | Croatia |
Argentina
Certainly one of the favourites for the group, and the tournament if the USA were to falter – their biggest challenge will no doubt come from powerhouse Spain in Group B though and if they can win this game then a mission of finishing first place, should be completed.
They have held reasonable form throughout their warm-up matches, but the challenge that will come from other teams than just Spain must be accounted for as well.
There is no doubting the key to their efficiency on offence, which could well determine exactly how far this team progress through the tournament is reliant on Manu Ginobli – if he gets it right with his attacking game then Argentina can go a long way.
At the same time, Ginobli adds a hell of a lot on defence, where the side could go alright and hope to limit games to a low scoring nature. With Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni roaming the paint, it is enough for any team to need an outside attacking plan.
Squad
Luis Scola, Manu Ginobli, Facundo Campazzo, Nicolas Laprovittola, Nicolas Brussino, Carlos Delfino, Marcos Delia, Andres Nocioni, Gabriel Deck, Leo Mainoldi, Patricio Garino, Roberto Acuna
Prediction
They will fight hard and it should be a cracking match with Spain, but second providing they don’t stumble against Brazil and Lithuania.
Brazil
This is a squad full of experience, and on home soil the Brazilians will be expecting nothing other than a strong performance.
Most of the squad have been going around for quite some time, and while none of the players are what could be considered household names like you might find on the USA, French, Spanish or Australian teams players like Nene and Leandro Barbossa are going to have a big bearing on where they end up.
Barbosa, in particular, seems to get buried at times behind the skill of the Golden State Warriors, but he would be a starting NBA player on some teams, and his all round attacking game is an integral part of the Brazil machine.
What Brazil won’t be doing is trying to win the war of the paint as a high priority – they will play a more outside focused game to save getting monstered inside.
The forward duo of Marquinhos Souza and Alexis Garcia will also be pivotal in getting enough stopped shots, to allow their teammates to get out and run te floor. Rebounding will also be key, and an area these two excel in.
Squad
Rafael Luz, Raulzinho Neto, Rafael Hettsheimeir, Vitor Benite, Alex Garcia, Marclinho Huertas, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Guilherme Giovannoni, Nene Hilario, Marquinhos Souza, Augusto Lima
Prediction
It will come down to Brazil and their South American counterparts for the second and third spot, but Brazil should finish third and advance to the quarter-finals quite easily on home soil.
Croatia
The Croatian squad holds next to no experience, particularly playing at one of the highest levels of the game with so much on the line and they will need their superstars to stand up to just avoid being blown off the court at certain points.
The side simply won’t have the attack to go with other teams, the defence to stop other teams or the size inside the paint to concern other teams.
While Croatia do boast two genuine centres in Darko Planinic and Miro Bilan what they will be able to do seems up in the air, but regardless on the defensive end at least it won’t be enough.
What sort of performance they can put together in attack depends on how the guard combo performs.
Both have plenty of experience and hold the key to the whole Games for Croatia – Bojan Bogdanovic and captain Roko Ukic will need to have their passing perfect and try to use their inside men, but even then their decision-making shooting will need to be near faultless.
Squad
Luka Babic, Filip Kruslin, Rok Stipcevic, Krunoslav Simon, Mario Hezonja, Dario Saric, Roko Ukic, Darko Planinic, Miro Bilan, Zeljko Sakic, Marko Arapovic, Bojan Bogdanovic
Prediction
Won’t get out of the group stage.
Lithuania
It’s going to be all about aggression in the paint for the Lithuanian team at the Games, with Toronto Raports centre Jonas Valanciunas carrying what must seem like the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
In saying that, the Lithuanian squad are stacked with domestic talent and facing them will be one of the scariest propositions of the game, taking note to the amount of skilled big men they have to play in the paint.
Captain Robertas Javtokas is a proven performer on the international level, and add to that the experience of Antanas Kavaliauskas and it is clear to see exactly why teams will fear Lithuania.
Forward duo Jonas Maciulis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas will also have massive roles to play within the side, needing to be the link between the skillful inside men and what could be lacking a little from the top of the perimeter.
While adding extra rebounds will be huge, their impact on the decision making in attack will play a big part in Lithuania’s chances as well.
Squad
Marius Grigonis, Mantas Kalnietis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Adas Juskevicius, Jonas Maciulis, Edgaras Ulanovas, Renaldas Seibutis, Domantas Sabonis, Antanas Kavaliauskas, Paulius Jankunas, Jonas Valanciunas, Robertas Javtokas
Prediction
Lithuania will make it out of the group stage – just, but I can’t see them going any further than a quarter-final exit.
Nigeria
At one point during the lead-up to the Olympic Games you would have said Nigeria were well on track for a good performance. Despite being the last team to cut their squad, down there was a wealth of talent and reports suggested training was going positively.
However, when the final teams were named Al-Faroq Aminu, Festus Ezeli and captain Olumide Oyedeji were all missing with Oyedeji’s a particular a surprise as he had to withdraw with personal reasons.
With Aminu and Ezeli pulling out it leaves Nigeria with no NBA talent and heaps the pressure on Ebi Ere. He is one of the most experienced players at the Games and has just about done it all in Basketball – if Nigeria are going to end up going anywhere, he will be behind it.
Squad
Josh Akognon, Alade Aminu, Ike Diogu, Ebi Ere, Michael Gbinije, Ekene Ibekwe, Shane Lawal, Andy Ogide, Chamberlain Oguchi, Stan Okoye, Michael Umeh, Ben Uzoh
Prediction
I don’t mind the look of this Nigerian squad – they will put on some entertaining matches, but ultimately won’t get out of the group stage.
Spain
It doesn’t take a genius to know Spain will take some serious beating in the group stages and indeed once we head out into the elimination rounds.
Their squad is one of strength all over the floor, and wherever you turn you find yet more talent and experience.
While the jury will still be out on whether they would be able to beat the USA if the final was to come to that – which is quite likely, one would assume that with the likes of Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Calderon and a whole host of Euroleague talent – all starting calibre players they should be able to get to that potential match.
Pau Gasol will be the key inside – he will need plenty of backup from the other Spanish big men but if they can do that and allow Calderon to run the floor, always looking to get out on the break then they will go a long way in this tournament.
Squad
Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Victor Claver, Willy Hernangomez, Fernando San Emeterio, Pau Ribas, Alex Abrines, Sergio Llull, Nikola Mirotic, Ricky Rubio
Prediction
They should take the group, and advance all the way to the semi-finals where they could run into an Australian team in what will be a very interesting semi-final.
There you have it Roarers – a complete Rio Olympics Basketball preview! How do you see it all playing out?
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde