For Argentina, at least, the matchup between Spain and Brazil will be pretty important as they will assuredly be pitted against one of the two in the quarterfinals.

It’s probably a more important game than their own because an upset over the United States likely wouldn’t change much in the standings. Manu Ginobili, whose brutal efficiency has been an immense coup for the 3-1 Argentinians, offered his take on Spain and Brazil, adding that Argentina can beat both.

    ”Spain is obviously the most talented team in the world, with great     size,” Ginobili said. “Even if (Juan Carlos) Navarro is not at his     best, (Jose) Calderon is a great player, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy     (Fernandez) … highly structured team playing together for a long     time. It is certainly a danger, even though they lost a game …

    Brazil is a team that plays very physical, also with good size, which     defends very hard, it’s not easy to score on them … but I think we     can beat them both. I have no doubt. In fact it has happened.”

Argentina’s best game, Ginobili believes, was their 23-point victory over Lithuania. Ginobili poured in 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino added 52 points combined.

Given Argentina’s defensive fortitude, they’ve allowed the least points in Group A and fourth overall behind Brazil, Russia and Australia, it would make sense to focus on offense. But they’re excelling offensively, too, as they only rank behind the United States in points scored with 351 through four games.

    ”The best game was the first, and possibly a game that we can not overcome,” Ginobili said. “I think we are     better defensively than I thought we would … We have not suffered … in preparation, and on the rebound     either, although Nigeria is a specialist and sent four players to fight in the post.

    But defensively we are well and have to improve in attack and better distribute the ball. It is very important     that every player on the court feels useful, part of the game.”

They will need their entire repertoire at their best to defeat Spain or Brazil, two teams that will likely enter the quarterfinals as favorites over Argentina, whose advanced age hasn’t deterred them from winning in London.

July 22, 2012; Barcelona, SPAIN; Argentina player Luis Scola (4) drives against USA center Tyson Chandler (4) during the second half of an exhibition game in preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Palau Sant Jordi. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Spain, meet Team USA. They’re the team everyone will put their money on to win everything. They remain your toughest competition; their victory in the 2008 Olympic final leaving an indelible mark on the international game.

Their roster consists of the most athletically gifted point guards in the world coupled with a plethora of wings that can kill you from shooting, slashing — and, if you’re LeBron James, the high post as well.

But they aren’t necessarily invincible. Their one inestimable flaw is Tyson Chandler — or rather, more acutely, the lack of other players like Chandler. They shouldn’t expect him to be the only indomitable rim protector, impervious to every attack on the rim. Yet they are out of sheer necessity.

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That could potentially tip the sides in Spain’s favor in a single-elimination format akin to the knockout round. The Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka compose a frontcourt with the ability to score from the post, pepper the defense with acute passes from the pinch post and defend the rim effectively. Ibaka’s athleticism allows him to cover an incredible amount of ground defensively as well.

A frontcourt devoid of ample support isn’t as imposing, though. Spain doesn’t have that problem as they are supported with Jose Calderon, Juan Carlos Navarro, Victor Claver, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. Second-ranked Spain remains the obvious threat to defeat the Americans.

Today’s exhibition game will give us a look on how Team USA’s frontcourt will fare against the Spain. While I think the United States’ deep roster will pull them to victory in today’s game (albeit a close, very close one), this match will show us how Spain will utilize their frontcourt and whether their size will even matter. It won’t be a definitive picture but it’ll be a picture — albeit one that could look a lot different in London.