Nigeria will face the United States on Wednesday in the women’s basketball quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone as Nigeria becomes the first African basketball team, male or female, to reach this stage in Olympic history. Nigeria achieved this feat by defeating Canada 79-70 in their final group-stage match. The U.S. team, pursuing its eighth consecutive gold medal and boasting a 58-game Olympic winning streak, won its group by defeating Japan, Belgium, and Germany by an average of 19.3 points.
The game will take place at the Accor Arena, with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET. In the latest betting odds, the U.S. is favored by 27.5 points, and the total points over/under is 155.5. For insights into predictions and betting advice, SportsLine’s Calvin Wetzel, a recognized expert in women’s basketball, has provided his analysis.
Wetzel, who has a strong mathematical background and deep knowledge of the game, has an impressive track record of 1,385-988 on women’s college basketball picks since the 2021-22 season. With a solid performance last season, Wetzel has gained a reputation for providing valuable betting insights.
In the teams’ only previous Olympic encounter, the U.S. won by nine points during the group stage at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Americans recently crushed Nigeria 100-46 during Olympic Qualifying in Belgium, where Jewell Loyd led with 18 points. The U.S. team is led by center A’ja Wilson and forward Breanna Stewart, both averaging 20.3 points in the tournament. Wilson has had standout performances, contributing significantly in earlier games.
On the other hand, Nigeria is attempting to build on its success after securing two victories in the group stage, improving its Olympic record. Ezinne Kalu, who is averaging 19.3 points, has emerged as a leader for Nigeria, which also saw strong performances from players like Murjanatu Musa and Promise Amukamara.
Wetzel has analyzed the game from multiple vantage points and is leaning towards the under on the total points. He highlights a crucial factor that significantly influences the betting spread and intends to share his opinions on which side to support. As the quarterfinals approach, anticipation builds regarding which team will advance in the Olympics.