Team USA Heavy Favorites vs. Czech Republic

Originally posted on FortyEightMinutes | By Chris Crouse | Last updated 7/30/21

USA Basketball bounced back from their loss to France with a 54-point blowout win over Iran earlier this week but heavy skepticism about the team’s chances at winning gold continues to hand over this team. Jerry Colangelo still has faith in his club despite all the obstacles, including COVID-related issues.

“I believe we’re going to win,” said Colangelo, who will retire as USA Basketball’s managing director after this year’s Olympics.

“It’s challenging when you can’t even go out the door, except to practice or to a game. It’s really hard. If all things were equal, we all had the same time to practice, we all had our rosters set… I don’t think we’d be having this discussion. I don’t. But that’s not the case. So we are going to do everything we can to overcome it now, and I believe we will.”

Team USA plays the third and final game of their group play on Saturday morning against the Czech Republic at 8:00 am EST.