South Sudan ready for their toughest challenge yet against Team USA

South Sudan ready to take on FIBA World Number One, Team USA

After an impressive come from behind win against Puerto Rico, South Sudan now turn their attention to FIBA Basketball World Number 1 and favourites to win the Gold Medal, Team USA. This will be one for the ages if the warm up game 2 weeks ago is anything to go by.

South Sudan come into this game as 28 point underdogs with most bookies suggesting this is going to be a walk through game for Team USA, but is it really?

South Sudan is coming off an impressive and historic victory against Puerto Rico and will come into this game with the confidence that they can defeat Team USA. Team USA do come into this game also with very strong form after dominating Serbia 110-84 off the back of some masterclasses from Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

If we look back to just a fortnight ago, South Sudan and Team USA played in one of the most thrilling Olympic warm up games that there was in the build up to these Olympics. South Sudan lead by as much as 16 points in this particular game before been beaten in the clutch by LeBron James who made a very tough shot to put Team USA up, 101-100 and clinching the victory for them.

Whilst most will disregard warm up games and not take them serious, looking at the teams who did well in the warm up games, we can see a correlation in form that has continued into the Olympics so far. Teams like Australia, USA, Germany and Canada all had very strong warm up games and are all chances of taking out Medals in this Olympic campaign. With all that been said, can South Sudan take out Team USA and book themselves a ticket to the quarter finals where we know anything and everything can happen.

From an NBL stand point, Sunday Dech, Majok Deng, Jackson Makoi and Bul Kuol are all playing very crucial roles for this squad. Bul Kuol and Majok Deng seem to have a more established role but what Sunday Dech did in his short time on the court against Tremont Waters and Jose Alvarado was truly impressive. Picking both up from full court and harassing them and giving them something to worry about and then going down the other end and knocking down his 3 point shot, he really showed what he can do at this level.

NBL talent further their reputation with great play in Game 1 for South Sudan

Bul Kuol was the stand out of the four NBL players though, with his 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 21 minutes of play. Kuol will have a very important role in the game against Team USA and will probably be matched up on Steph Curry or Anthony Edwards. He will be well and truly up for the task though as he has established himself as one of the best on ball defenders in the NBL.

This game is a danger game for Team USA and must be treated that way. South Sudan have the talent, skill and the whole nation of South Sudan behind them in what is a historic time for the Basketball Program and Nation. There is always a Cinderella story in professional sports and why can’t it be this one?

South Sudan will look to improve to 2-0 tonight at 5:00AM AEST against Team USA. This will be a closer game than most think, if your thinking of getting on the South Sudan hype train, we suggest you get on now. History of their first Olympic win has been made, but they are looking to make even more history.