Give US the gold but silver a tossup

Compiled by Globe Staff, 09/15/2000

WHEN: Sept. 17 (vs. China), Sept. 19 (vs. Italy), Sept. 21 (vs. Lithuania), Sept. 23 (vs. New Zealand), Sept. 25 (vs. France), Sept. 28 (quarterfinals), Sept. 29 (semifinals), Sept. 30 (medal).

US TEAM: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tim Hardway, Allan Houston, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, Steve Smith.

FAVORITES: 1. US; 2. Yugoslavia; 3. Italy.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The US men's basketball team is the most gold-plated, lock of locks in the entire Olympics. But the battle for silver and bronze is a six, and maybe even seven, for two deal. Yugoslavia has size and experience. Russia always plays hard and smart, and the same can be said for Lithuania. After a down period, Italy is a medal possibility with the inside-outside duo of Carlton Meyers and Gregor Fucka. So are Canada, Spain and China. Oh, and host Australia can play with all the above.

WOMEN
Australia to get home-court boost
WHEN: Sept. 16 (vs. South Korea), Sept. 18 (vs. Cuba), Sept. 20 (vs. Russia), Sept. 22 (vs. New Zealand), Sept. 24 (vs. Poland), Sept. 27 (quarterfinals), Sept. 29 (semifinals), Sept. 30 (medal).

US TEAM: Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Teresa Edwards, Yolanda Griffith, Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie, Nikki McCray, DeLisha Milton, Katie Smith, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Natalie Williams, Kara Wolters.

FAVORITES: 1. US; 2. Russia; 3. Australia.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: No lock, this. It's not that the US isn't loaded. It's just that it's not a super team, at least not in comparison with Russia, Australia, and Brazil. The only US edge over Russia is athleticism; Russia will out-execute everyone. Australia, with no fewer than nine WNBA players, could easily float home on the cheers of its partisan crowd. And Brazil is always athletic and emotional, with the latter trait sometimes getting in the way of the former. The rest are no-hopers in this company. The US still has more good female players than the rest of the world put together, but you don't need 50, 25, or even 12 to win here. Five, six, or seven good players will do, and Russia, Australia and Brazil all have them. The Americans We should win, but it may take a big play or two at the end of some spirited games in order to bring home the gold this time.