FIBA World Cup 2014: USA vs. Slovenia Preview, Team News, Tip Off Time, Live Stream Info

After five straight victories (nine if preliminary games are included), Slovenia will be the next team to try and stop Team USA from going unbeaten in the 2014 FIBA World Cup tournament. While the Americans have been largely undaunted by the past five teams that they have played against, USA shooting guard  Stephen Curry said that this is not the time to rest on their laurels.

Team USA will play Slovenia Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 12 p.m. PDT on ESPN3 and on Livebasketball.tv. 

"They're a very capable team," Curry said to media after practice. "And if we don't come and play, they can definitely beat us."

Slovenia is clearly the greatest test for the unbeaten Americans to date, but that threatening element does not come from their offensive efforts. The squad has big guards like Zoran Dragic and Goran Dragic that apply consistent pressure and force turnovers in the backcourt.

Team USA head Coach Mike Krzyzewski notes that, while these tactics worked effectively on the Dominican Republic, helping Slovenia go on 16-0 run at the end of the half, that team did not have the inside presence of Team USA to bind their team together.

In another media meeting, Krzyzewski said that Slovenia, "does, not defend , in their normal practice, a lot of the stuff that we do. So they're not accustomed to being inside. So our guys have to take advantage of that. Not so much posting but for offensive rebounds."

On the defensive end, expect USA to to force Slovenia into mid-range shot scenarios. The team has struggled to shoot effectively from that position, a trait highlighted in their 0-5 streak from that range in the third quarter, also against the Dominican Republic.

Of course Team USA is a team that has become identified by their explosive offensive performance, but it would be a mistake to rely on the same tactics, at least entirely, that got them this far. Slovenia has effectively locked down perimeter players in the past, something that the Americans will have to beware of if they want to put points on the board the way that they have in the past.

It seems impossible to talk about this offense without discussing Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried. Even though Slovenia has managed to force more turnovers than positive assists against their opponents in this tournament, they have not faced a player combination of this caliber yet. The two probably will not be posting up many times, but they do know how to put points up on the board easily through weak side cuts to the hoop or good positioning underneath.  

Expect this one to at least start out competitive, with Team USA practicing their signature slow start before pulling away late routine. Slovenia does have a commendable defensive strategy coming into this game, but in the end if they cannot stop the frenzied offensive of Team USA, they are not going to win.