The knockout round is over, leaving us with 16 teams to fight for medals in the FIBA World Cup. Here's the bracket and an extended look at the matchups.
The 2014 FIBA World Cup has finished group play and is ready for the 16-team single-elimination tournament that's set to begin on Sept. 6. Here is the full bracket, followed by an extended look at each of the matchups. All times Eastern.
Spain vs. Senegal (Sept. 6, 4 p.m., ESPN3)
How Spain got here: By crushing the competition in Group A, going 5-0 without really breaking a sweat. Spain was seen as a co-favorites due to their depth and playing on home soil, but they were even more impressive than expected. They crushed Brazil, 83-62, in a game that was even more lopsided than the final score suggested and eventually pulled away in similar fashion against France. Pau Gasol is playing as well as ever and their three-point shooting has been lethal.
How Senegal got here: Led by promising Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng, Senegal topped Puerto Rico on Aug. 31, then pulled off the upset of the tournament by stunning Croatia the next day. Dieng poured in 27 points and eight rebounds in the gutty 77-75 victory that essentially clinched their place in this round. Consecutive losses to Argentina and the Philippines followed, but Senegal's two victories proved to be good enough.
Prediction: Spain 88, Senegal 69.
Croatia vs. France (Sept. 6, Noon, ESPN3)
How Croatia got here: Strangely. A pre-tournament favorite to win Group B, Croatia instead overcame internal turmoil to do just enough to advance. A closer-than-expected win over the last-place Philippines proved to be a harbinger of things to come. Following a stunning loss to Senegal and a blowout defeat to Greece, reports trickled out that the players were angry with coach Jasmin Repesa. But Croatia came together to rout Puerto Rico and advance, temporarily saving Repesa's job.
How France got here: By winning the games it should. France lost a tight opener to Brazil, which put it behind the 8 ball for seeding out of Group A from the very beginning, and got demolished by Spain. Otherwise, though, it held on against Serbia, crushed Egypt and survived a spirited Iran effort to advance. It hasn't been the smoothest tournament, as France has played many different players in an attempt to give the new generation experience. Their penalty: a bracket where Spain lurks in the quarterfinals.
Prediction: France 72, Croatia 69.
Brazil vs. Argentina (Sept. 7, 4 p.m., ESPN3)
How Brazil got here: By going 4-1 in the difficult Group A, with the lone loss a beatdown at the hands of Spain. Brazil's opening-day two-point victory over France proved to be the difference in a tight group. They also topped Serbia and routed Iran and Egypt as expected. Marcelino Huertas has been typically excellent at the point and Leandro Barbosa has looked spry in an audition for NBA teams that eventually ended in a contract with the Warriors.
How Argentina got here: By beating the teams they should (Puerto Rico, Senegal, Philippines barely) and losing in very competitive matches to the better clubs (Croatia, Greece). Luis Scola has been unbelievable in what may be his final international tournament, leading all players in scoring during the group stages. Their reward? A Round of 16 game against their bitter South American rivals. The last time these two teams played was in a tense quarterfinal in the 2012 Olympics, won by Argentina.
Prediction: Brazil 63, Argentina 61. Seven teeth are lost.
Greece vs. Serbia (Sept. 7, Noon, ESPN3)
How Greece got here: By dominating Group B in surprising fashion. Greece went undefeated and were only seriously challenged by Argentina in the group's final game. They topped Croatia by 11 in a game that was not as close as the final score indicated and held off strong efforts by Puerto Rico and the Philippines in double-digit victories. What's especially scary: Greece has been doing this without Giannis Antetokounmpo making much of an impact. He's been coming off the bench behind new Rockets forward Kostas Papanikolaou.
How Serbia got here: With the results everyone expected when the groups were announced. Serbia beat lowly Egypt and Iran by double digits, fell by one to France, lost by eight to Brazil and dropped the group finale to Spain by double digits. Former Bucks big man Miroslav Raduljca has been Serbia's leader, while veteran guard Milos Teodosic has been as solid as ever.
Prediction: Greece 81, Serbia 77.
United States vs. Mexico (Sept. 6, 10 a.m., ESPN2)
How Team USA got here: With the dominating results you expected in an easy group. Team USA actually trailed at halftime against Turkey in its second game and looked a bit sluggish in the finale against Ukraine, but pulled together to win both by over 20 points. There's some injury concern, though, as Kyrie Irving took a hard fall at the end of the victory over Ukraine.
How Mexico got here: By doing what it was supposed to do. Gustavo Ayon's bunch was clearly a cut below the top three teams in Group B, but they handily beat bottom-feeders Angola and Korea by a combined 41 points to get the two wins necessary to finish fourth.
Prediction: USA 102, Mexico 70
Slovenia vs. Dominican Republic (Sept. 6, 2 p.m., ESPN3)
How Slovenia got here: By dominating Group D ... until an awful collapse in the fourth quarter of its finale against Lithuania erased much of the good work done. Slovenia was up by double digits entering the fourth quarter, but choked it away, going scoreless for over nine minutes. The loss forced them to accept second place in the group after Australia curiously sat many key players to lose to Angola. Second place puts Goran Dragic's mates into a quarterfinal against Team USA, which is ... not ideal. Dragic was pissed before Slovenia's game happened and he's going to be even more pissed now.
Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) September 4, 2014How the Dominican Republic got here: Tiebreakers! The Dominican Republic finished in a three-way tie for third place in Group C with a 2-3 record, but earned the third spot over New Zealand and Ukraine by virtue of a better point differential in games between the three teams. The Dominican Republic lost by 10 to Ukraine, but beat New Zealand by 13 for a +3 differential, which was better than New Zealand (-1) and Ukraine (-3). Complicated? Yes, but welcome to FIBA.
Prediction: Slovenia 90, Dominican Republic 75
Turkey vs. Australia (Sept. 7, 2 p.m., ESPN3)
How Turkey got here: By emerging from the jumble in Group C to earn second place thanks to a victory over the Dominican Republic in the final game of the group. Turkey famously fought hard against Team USA, leading by five points after the first half before eventually succumbing in the fourth quarter, but put its elimination spot in jeopardy with a loss to Ukraine in its next game. But the Turks got it together enough to edge Finland, then top the Dominican Republic to finish 3-2 in the group.
How Australia got here: With lots of controversy. Australia won three of its four group stage games, including a victory over Argentina, but sat many of its best players in their finale against Angola. Rivals accused Australia of losing on purpose to drop out of Team USA's path -- third place in Group D allows Australia to avoid Team USA until the semifinals, whereas second place forces a game in the quarterfinals. Australia ultimately got its wish when Lithuania rallied to stun Slovenia. Aron Baynes and Joe Ingles have been fantastic, while hyped top-five pick Dante Exum has barely gotten off the bench.
Prediction: Turkey 75, Australia 68. Tankers never win.
Lithuania vs. New Zealand (Sept. 7, 10 a.m., ESPN3)
How Lithuania got here: With a slightly uneven performance that was saved by one thrilling quarter. Lithuania fell to Australia and struggled at times against Mexico and Angola, but rallied in the group's final game to stun Slovenia and take first place in the group. Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas are the team's two leading scorers, but both sat on the bench for much of Lithuania's rally against Slovenia.
How New Zealand got here: By rallying in its final two games. The Kiwis' tournament appeared to be over after they blew a lead in its opener against Turkey, then fell decisively to the Dominican Republic and Team USA. But they bounced back to beat Ukraine, then held off a furious Finland rally in the group's finale to get in position to advance. The victory over Ukraine proved to be enough to earn the tiebreaker in a deadlocked Group C.
Prediction: Lithuania 81, New Zealand 76.