The Lithuanians never come for the Americans’ autographs in these games, and now one of the world’s proudest national programs had pushed Team USA deeper and deeper into the fourth quarter.

“We were still riding high off Nigeria,” Kevin Love said, and, rest assured, Lithuania could sense it right away. The Lithuanians believed there was a formula to hang with the Americans, and despite a 99-94 loss on Saturday, they cleared brush on the proper path to reach victory. Floor spaced, ball moving, and a fearless disposition, Lithuania delivered a clinic.

Whatever happens, Lithuania left behind something of a blueprint to beat the Americans, and an unmistakable question lingers over this tournament: Does a team exist that can take Lithuania’s performance, tighten it up and go the distance on the Americans?

via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports