The 2023 FIBA World Cup has brought basketball enthusiasts around the globe a thrilling spectacle. But for Team USA, the road has been unexpectedly rocky. Facing Montenegro, considered a 26.5-point underdog, they found themselves trailing at halftime and struggled to secure a lead until midway through the third quarter. The game remained fiercely contested until the final minutes.

As Team USA advances to the quarter-finals against Lithuania, their path to victory might not be as straightforward as it seems. Lithuania may have an undefeated record so far, but they’ve yet to encounter an opposition of Team USA caliber. The September 3 clash guarantees an epic showdown, where only one team will maintain an unblemished record. But for Team USA, it would be more than that.

45-year-old horror for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup

Looking back to 1978, when Asia hosted their first FIBA World Cup, the Philippines was the center of basketball excellence. Yugoslavia secured its second world title, while the Soviet Union finished second and Brazil took third place.

The 1978 FIBA World Cup marked a format change, transitioning from a Final Round group stage to an official Final. Yugoslavia captured the championship by defeating the Soviet Union 82-81 in overtime, while Brazil secured third place with an 86-85 buzzer-beater win against Italy. In contrast, Team USA’s performance in the 1978 World Cup was modest, finishing in 5th place with a 6-4 record.

Read More: Ditching Australia at 2023 FIBA World Cup, Ben Simmons Ensures Commitment to His Nation for Next Year’s Mega Event

Yugoslavia, Brazil, and the USA dominated their respective groups during the tournament’s early stages. Brazil’s remarkable 154-97 victory over China set records for most points scored by a team in a World Cup game. The game also set the highest combined score in a game. Italy delivered an early surprise by defeating the USA 81-80 in the Semi-Final Round. The USA played 6 games in the Araneta Coliseum, losing 4 of them. The horror from the arena left a bad taste on Team USA. However, in this year’s World Cup, the 5x World champions have looked more dangerous than in the ’78 campaign.

Despite these hurdles and historic parallels, Team USA remains optimistic about their journey in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With a roster stacked with talent and depth, they aim to overcome their previous disappointments and claim the championship once again.

A hint of relief for Team USA for the road ahead

Team USA boasts remarkable depth, with their bench players making a significant impact throughout the World Cup. This depth could prove to be a decisive factor against Lithuania. With a roster filled with NBA talent and some of the brightest young stars in the world, Team USA’s athleticism and skill set them apart. Lithuania will face a formidable challenge in containing this athletic and talented American squad. The NBA-stacked squad with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, Brandon Ingram, and others are looking sharp for the road ahead.

One significant relief for Team USA is that they won’t be playing at the Araneta Coliseum, a venue where they have haunting memories of a close defeat to Italy. Instead, the final round of the tournament will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines. This single-elimination knockout stage, scheduled from September 5 to 10, will feature the top two teams from Groups I, J, K, and L.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Austin Reaves and Co. to lead the team to their sixth FIBA World Cup title. What are your thoughts on Team USA’s chances to win the title? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Despite Cardiac Arrest, LeBron James and Bronny James to Be Future 76ers Target as James Harden-Joel Embiid Drama Grows, per Insider