Spain vs. United States (7:30 a.m. ET, USA)

Gasol

Duncan

Larry Brown has repeatedly talked about the United States' problems with defending dribble penetration, and there isn't a much speedier backcourt in the Olympics than Spain's Juan Carlos Navarro (9.2 ppg) and Jose Manuel Calderon (9.6 ppg, 1.60 spg). Plus, in big man Pau Gasol (18.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.00 bpg), Spain has someone to counter Tim Duncan (15.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.40 bpg) down low. Spain is also a team that thrives in transition and likes to work from the inside-out, much like the U.S. But despite their 5-0 record in group play, the Spaniards haven't shot particularly well from the perimeter. As a team, they hit just 29-of-91 (.294) 3-pointers in their first five games. Only China (.280) and the U.S. (.236) shot worse from beyond the arc.

The U.S., meanwhile, is still the top defensive team in the tournament -- they finished first in rebounding (41.0 per game), steals (10.4) and blocked shots (4.2) in group play. Plus, they're finally settling into their roles, as they played a solid all-around game in their loss to Lithuania and actually enjoyed themselves in a runaway win over Angola. Still, the Americans are inconsistent from the outside and struggled with their free-throw shooting (.644, 11th overall) in group play. The latter could be a big factor if this one goes down the wire.

With Spain surging and the U.S. relaxed and in their rhythm, this game is about as even as it gets, especially considering that both teams' strengths and playing styles are so similar. Should be a good one to watch.

Lithuania vs. China (9:45 a.m. ET, Bravo)

Songaila

Yao

Sarunas Jasikevicius and Lithuania are playing, and shooting, as well as any team in the tournament. Lithuania hit 58-of-129 3-pointers (.450) in group play, the best mark overall. Shooters Jasikevicius (.429 from 3-point range), Saulius Stombergas (.476) and Arvydas Macijauskas (.417) are positively robotic in their precision from the perimeter, and all three gunners know how to get their shots -- each of them has attempted more 3-pointers in the tournament than 2-pointers. Meanwhile, while inside players like Darius Songaila (9.2 ppg) and Robertas Javtokas (9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) aren't spectacular, Lithuania was the second-best rebounding team (34.6 rpg) in group play. Plus, the Lithuanians are focused; after coming within a shot of topping the U.S. and reaching the gold-medal game in Sydney, most of the same players are back in the Olympics with one thing in mind: a gold medal.

China, meanwhile, runs the risk of being drained emotionally after their huge upset win over Serbia & Montenegro. Just getting to the medal round was a victory for Yao Ming (20.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, .544 FG%) and company. But if China is to have a chance, they need to find help for Yao -- the Rockets center was the only player to average double-figures in group play. If they can defend well and stay loose on the perimeter, then they have a shot at keeping this one close.

Italy vs. Puerto Rico (1 p.m. ET, MSNBC)

Pozzecco

Arroyo

This should be an interesting clash of styles between two talented but erratic teams. In relying on a strong halfcourt game, Italy plays a classic European brand of basketball; they shoot well from the outside (50-of-130 3-pointers, .385) and kept the pace slow enough to allow the fewest amount of points (68.2 per game) in group play. Look for them to deaden the pace and rely on the dribble penetration of Gianmarco Pozzecco (4.8 apg, 3rd place) to create open looks for outside shooters like Giacomo Galanda (11.2 ppg, 12-of-24 3-pointers), Massimo Bulleri (11.6 ppg, 7-of-17), Gianluca Basile (11.0 ppg, 10-of-35) and Alex Righetti (8.5 ppg, 7-of-14).

Puerto Rico, meanwhile, will rely on its talented backcourt of Jazz point guard Carlos Arroyo (18.2 ppg, 5.2 apg, 2.00 spg) and Larry Ayuso (17.2 ppg) to carry them into the semifinals. Arroyo is adept in both the transition and halfcourt games, and he's emerged as one of the best dribble-penetrators in the tournament, which should create open looks for Ayuso and Eddie Casiano (10.8 ppg, 9-of-22 3-pointers). Bucks forward Daniel Santiago (12.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.40 spg, .588 FG%) has also done a very good job of asserting himself in the paint.

If Puerto Rico can step up the tempo, then they could create problems for the Italians. Italy thrives in pressure situations, however, and while they've had trouble closing teams out, if this one goes down the wire they should get the nod.

Greece vs. Argentina (3:15 p.m. ET, delayed broadcast 6:15 p.m. ET, CNBC)

Fotsis

Ginobili

Another Europe-Latin America clash that should be similar to the contrasting styles found between Italy and Puerto Rico. Like Italy, Greece is a halfcourt team that is very comfortable from the perimeter. Led by shooters like 6-8 post player Michail Kazioukis, who hit an unearthly 9-of-10 3-pointers in five games, the Greeks finished group play as the second most accurate 3-point shooting team (34-of-85 from 3-point range). They've also got a strong inside game to throw at Argentina, including former Grizzlies forward Antonios Fotsis (9.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.60 bpg) and emerging 6-11 center Lazaros Papadopoulos (12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .595 FG%).

Argentina, meanwhile, is an athletic team that's capable of doing some damage in the transition game. Led by all-around talent Manu Ginobili (19.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.80 spg, .576 FG%, .423 3P%) and post presence Luis Scola (19.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, .684 FG%), the Argentinians are a strong offensive team despite their struggles from 3-point range (.294 3P%, 10th place) in group play. They also have Bulls forward Andres Nocioni (10.6 ppg) and athletic Pistons rookie Carlos Delfino to complement the team's go-to guys. The team's biggest concern, however, is the status of point guard Juan "Pepe" Sanchez, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury. When he's on the floor, Argentina's offense flows much more smoothly than when shooter Alejandro Montecchia is directing traffic.

Naturally, the home crowd will play a big factor in this game, but if Argentina is able to force the tempo, they stand a good chance of advancing. Though not as talented, Greece has proven adept at hitting timely 3-pointers, and will keep it very close if this game becomes a halfcourt battle.