Team USA has been more or less dominant in its group stages. But if you think that this star-studded squad will have it easy in the knockout rounds too, well, think again! A team that is giving others a reason to turn their heads around is Africa’s first-ever basketball group to enter an elimination round in the Olympics. Defying all the odds, Nigeria not only has a reason to give this quarterfinal meeting their all but also a playing style to support their objectives.

Marc J. Spears joined NBA Today on ESPN to share his views on what Team USA’s future opponents can have down their sleeves. He began by telling about how Jewell Loyd in her Olympic Diary with Andscape and ESPN suggested having a “healthy fear of Nigeria.” The NBA writer added, “She’s saying it for a good reason. Nigeria was 2-1 in Olympic play and they beat Canada and Australia. They don’t have any WNBA players but those two teams did. They are also leading in steals in the Olympics.”

Reiterating the 2x Olympian, he further added, “They play with an aggressive passion. They have two great guards, they’ll guard you full court. They’re tough, they do a lot of trash-talking. And, they walk around with a swagger and aggressiveness that you wouldn’t expect from a team that’s actually making it to the elimination round for the first time.”

With just two games in, Team USA had opened the path of their road to the knockout rounds. Not just that, they secured the top seed in the bracket as well. Fortunately, or not, they will be going against Nigeria on Wednesday in the Accor Arena. While the USA boasts dominating 58 consecutive wins in the Olympics, can Nigeria be the one to send them home with nothing in hand?

Predicting D’Tigress vs Team USA

On one hand, we have a team representing its home country for the very first time in its Olympic history. Certainly, with nothing to lose but everything to gain. On the other hand, Team USA will be entering its ultimate domination era with a chance to have 10 Olympic gold medals under its belt. And of course, with a lot to lose. Especially, with them snubbing Caitlin Clark already making the hottest topic of everyday coffee.

Still, what helps Team USA is their impeccable chemistry and ability to turn tables at any given moment. So far, this squad has won 56 of the last 58 games with at least double-digit scores. In the 2024 campaign, they have bested Japan, Belgium, and Germany with at least 19 points differentials. Moreover, their two players are leading the team (third in Olympics) with 20-plus average scoring. Certainly, a mix to achieve their eighth consecutive gold.

On the other hand, D’Tigress is also not leaving any ounce in their efforts. In the two wins over Australia and Canada, Nigeria has an advantage of 11 points on average. Moreover, they play fast and free. Their guard Ezinne Kalu is averaging 19.3 points per game, showing everyone that their inexperience in the quadrennial event does not change anything.

Certainly, Nigeria has shown how they will definitely make you pay if you turn backs on them. But can they really threaten a team that has never lost a game in the last three decades? It will be quite a showdown in Paris tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.