Battle of the Undefeated

Team USA takes on a fellow 4-0 team in Lithuania this morning. Expect this game to be the toughest test of the tourney thus far. Like Montenegro, Lithuania is a big, physical team that is built for FIBA play.

If Team USA has a weakness, it's a lack of center depth. Jaren Jackson Jr is susceptible to foul trouble and the Americans struggle with offensive rebounds when they play small. Montenegro did its best to expose that weakness, with Nikola Vucevic amassing 18 points and 16 boards.

Lithuania is anchored by Pelicans big-man Jonas Valanciunas so Team USA will need to fend off another NBA quality big man if it wants to keep its perfect record in tact. I'd expect to see a bit more of Walker Kessler today, especially if JJJ is forced to the bench.

In addition to Valanciunas, you might recognize Iggy Brazdeikis from his Michigan/Knicks days and Donatas Montiejunas from his time with the Rockets. Lithuania also has a player with whom the Pacers organization is intimately familiar. No, not the one traded to Sacramento. I'm talking about Deividas Sirvydis, who signed a camp deal in Indy last year and then spent the season in Fort Wayne.

Both teams are through to the quarterfinals regardless of the outcome of today's game. The contest will determine who plays Italy and who plays the winner of Serbia vs. Dominican Republic in the knockout round.

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