By Only Players Staff
Updated 8/2/24 4:03am ET
In their final games of group play, these 1-1 teams have a lot at stake with a spot in the medal round hinging on the outcome. South Sudan has covered both games so far.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock
Automated transcript is below. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
South Sudan has been one of the better sports stories of the summer. We saw them nearly upset Team USA in an exhibition game and then they’ve played well in group play to start the Olympics. They’re one and one. They’ve covered both games. But I also think they’re really just a fun story. We all know about how Luol Deng has paid for all their gyms and everything like that. Next up to wrap up group play is Serbia and the Serbs led by Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world. Favored by 14 and a half, you’re over under 178 and a half.
Now, both teams need this game. Sometimes the last game of group play doesn’t matter. Not the case here. Serbia needs to win and even point differential is gonna matter. But I think South Sudan is incentivized. If they win, they’re gonna go to medal round. Now they’re big underdogs, but they’re not gonna quit. You saw how they wrapped up the end of the game with Team USA. They played in the final whistle and I just love how they treat international hoops. They don’t stop when they think they get a foul or act like they’ve been shot in the back. They play through contact and they initiate contact and that gets them to the free throw line when appropriate. I think they’re gonna play harder because they play harder than every opponent, but I also think they’re talented. Now, Jokic could ultimately be the difference maker, but I think plus 14 and a half is a nice number to take with South Sudan, which has been a covering machine so far.
