D'Tigers of Nigeria will take on Team USA it's 3rd game in the London 2012 Olympics on Thursday.

Nigeria pulled off a 60-56 win in it's first game against Tunisia on Sunday and followed up with a predictably less favorable result against Eastern European powerhouse Lithuania, losing 72-53 on Tuesday. Head coach Ayo Bakare's boys managed to hit a mere 24.2 percent of their shots against the Lithuanians, including just 1-of-16 from the three.

Team USA on the other hand will be taking on its second Olympic newcomer when it meets Nigeria in London on Thursday. The Americans appeared to be a bit overconfident out of the gate in their most recent matchup against Tunisia, though they eventually rolled to a 110-63 thrashing behind a superb effort from their reserves.

The Nigerians are no slouches, however, at least for first-time Olympians. They feature three players—Al-Farouq Aminu, Ike Diogu and Olumide Oyedeji—who are, or have been, employed by NBA teams, along with a host of others who played college basketball in the States.

That collection of talent helped Nigeria squeak into the London field by way of a qualifying tournament in Venezuela in July, in which they defeated Lithuania and Greece.

Of course, USA Basketball stands head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes) above those two, which should merit a sizable advantage for the Yanks.

Then again, that's why the NBA exists and the games are played, right?

NIGERIA'S ROSTER
Guards: Tony Skinn, Derrick Obasohan, Richard Oruche, Ade Dagunduro, Chamberlain Oguchi
Forwards: Ike Diogu, Al-Farouq Aminu, Kiki Archibong, Ekene Ibekwe, Ejike Ugboaja
Centers: Olumide Oyedeji, Alade Aminu

USA'S ROSTER
Guards: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, James Harden
Forwards: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Andre Iguodala
Centers: Tyson Chandler, Anthony Davis

GAME ANALYSIS:
America's starters looked like they were mired in memories of 2004 when they took the floor against Tunisia. They settled for long jump shots on offense, looked lethargic on defense, and displayed a general disinterest in their overmatched opponent.

Mike Krzyzewski's mass substitutions helped to turn the beat around for his team, but was indicative of a lackadaisical overconfidence that could come back to bite the gold-medal favorites before too long.

Nigeria presents a similar mental challenge to Team USA's sense of focus, but with decidedly better talent than Tunisia. A slow start would hardly doom the Americans against the Nigerians, but they can't afford to develop bad habits with tougher competition on the horizon.

The longer it takes the Americans to get their engines revved up against their inferior competitors, the closer David can come to felling Goliath.

FBS: I dont want to witness this beating. No chance.

All ye men of little faith

semid4lyfe:

All ye men of little faith

Nebeuwa: Andre Iguodala is going against his fatherland.

Nebeuwa: Andre Iguodala is going against his fatherland.

ANY-PEN :
No matter how the court analysis is done, we're going down tomorrow but I will leave a very tiny space for miracles the type I left for Chelsea against Barcelona in the UCL.

tellwisdom: Kobe Bryant, James Harden, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony <--------Just these men

Nebeuwa: Andre Iguodala is going against his fatherland.

semid4lyfe:

All ye men of little faith

ortopazz:


just the thought of it makes me sick abi ill, I mean the tin go bad o! No be noise, those guys fit maul us, o!

FBS:
stop that story abeg. I just wonder what Tony Skinn can do against LBJ.
Anyways, GO TIGERS!

Okija_juju: FINAL SCORES: USA 250 vs. NIGERIA 50

afam4eva:
So, with your juju, you can't even help us instead you're making fun of us. Abeg, tell your alusi to make this people to take it easy on us. Biko

Even Juju get limit!!

Okija_juju:

Even Juju get limit!!

ANY-PEN :
No matter how the court analysis is done, we're going down tomorrow but I will leave a very tiny space for miracles the type I left for Chelsea against Barcelona in the UCL.