World Cup Quarterfinals Start Tuesday. They Bring a 2nd Chance for USA Basketball
U.S. News & World Report MANILA, Philippines (AP) If there was a silver lining to the U.S. World Cup team losing to Lithuania, its this: The Americans now truly know how painful it is to watch another national team line up against a nation that has won four consecutive Olympic gold medals and celebrate in its face.
As one might guess, they didnt enjoy that feeling.
And if it happens again at this World Cup, itll be much, much worse.
Monday was a back-to-reality day for the U.S., one day after its undefeated summer run ended with a 110-104 loss to Lithuania to end the second round of the World Cup. A quarterfinal game against Italy awaits on Tuesday, with the U.S. like all the teams in the Round of 8 knowing the only way to win gold in Manila is to win every game the rest of the way.
It makes it real, U.S. guard Austin Reaves said. Obviously, now, its lose or go home. We see the reactions. We obviously know that everybody wants to beat us in particular. We see the joy that they get from that. That taste in your mouth, it dont feel good.
