Olympic Basketball Schedule 2012: Previewing Day 4's Top Matchups

The Americans aren't the only hardwood superstars who will be attempting to take another step toward the gold on Tuesday.

The top basketball stars the world has to offer will play the second games of their Olympic journeys on Tuesday—but will any of them look good enough to dethrone the mighty Americans? France certainly couldn't do it on Sunday, but perhaps Tunisia will put up a better effort in Game No. 2.

Here's a look at the top matchups to watch on Tuesday. You can see the full basketball schedule here.

Tunisia vs. United States
TV: NBC Sports Network, 5:15 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com, 5:15 p.m. ET

Even though the Americans were far from their best on Sunday, France still couldn't hold a candle to them. In what bodes to be a recurring theme throughout these Olympics, the U.S. just has too much talent on its roster, and even on a day when LeBron James takes just six shots, there's always going to be someone else who steps up and makes the opponent pay.

On Tuesday, Mike Krzyzewski's squad will look to earn its second straight win—this time against Tunisia, which is coming off a tight 60-56 loss to Nigeria.

The Americans triumphed over France in their first game because they were able to rebound from a rough first quarter, but if they start of similarly slowly against Tunisia, they might not be so lucky. Tunisia was down by 16 at the half but managed to narrow the deficit to two late in the game, according to the AP.

The U.S. is going to have to be prepared to stave off that kind of late-game run if it wants to remain undefeated during this summer's Games.

Australia vs. Spain
TV: NBC's Basketball Channel, 6:15 a.m.
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com, 6:15 a.m.

If there's going to be one team that gives the U.S. a run for its money this summer, it bodes to be Spain—if only because it has Pau and Marc Gasol, who are 7'0" and 7'1", respectively. That kind of height advantage can burn any team without a decisively dominant frontcourt.

And Australia is bound to be the latest team to come to that unfortunate realization. Spain enters this matchup on the heels of a 97-81 win over China in which Pau Gasol had a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Australia, meanwhile, is coming off a tough, confidence-zapping 75-71 loss to Brazil.

Given Spain's momentum and the abundance of NBA talent on its roster—which includes the Gasols, Serge Ibaka and Jose Calderon—the Gasols & Co. would appear to have this one in the bag.

France vs. Argentina
TV: NBC's Basketball Channel, 3 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com, 3 p.m. ET

In this matchup, we'll see a team riding high on momentum take on a team with none of it at all. After being blown out by the Americans in their first game, the French don't have much to rest their hopes on—including Tony Parker, who proved relatively ineffective versus the U.S. as he continues to heal from what could have been a career-threatening eye injury.

Meanwhile, in its first game, Argentina destroyed Lithuania 102-79, thanks in large part to the handiwork of Manu Ginobili, who registered 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. His roster features a very strong supporting cast that includes Luis Scola (32 points on Sunday) and Carlos Delfino, and together, they'll prove difficult for France to take down, with or without Parker's help.

Not only will this matchup be interesting because it will feature Spurs teammates Parker and Ginobili on opposite sides of the court, it'll also be interesting to see if Parker can recover from his lackluster Game 1 performance, or if the effects of his unfortunate eye injury are going to persist for much longer.