USA vs. Czech Republic Women's Basketball: TV Schedule, Live Stream & More

Thus far, no team has come close to competing with the U.S. women's basketball team, and Geno Auriemma plans to keep it that way for the duration of this summer's Olympic Games.

The next step, though, is making sure the Czech Republic has just about as much of a shot as Turkey, Angola and Croatia did.

Turkey should've been the toughest test for the U.S. women. It was undefeated entering Wednesday's matchup, having taken down Angola decisively and the Czech Republic not so decisively—but wins are wins, and Turkey had two of them.

As expected, though, the U.S. easily shattered that perfect record with an 89-58 win on Wednesday, which brought the Americans one step closer to a fifth straight gold medal. Now that the U.S. has settled into a groove and has won its first three games by an average score of 36 points, that hardware looks closer than ever. 

The next step is making the Czech Republic—losers of two of three—look as hapless as those that came before it. Here's a closer look at what to watch for when the two Olympic squads square off on Friday.

Where: London, England

When: Friday, August 3 at 5 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC Sports Network

Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com 

U.S. Key to the Game: Strong Start and Teamwork 

The Americans have been able to go 3-for-3 thus far for two reasons. Actually, they've been able to go 3-for-3 because their team is more talented than anyone else's by a landslide, but there has been some strategy involved, too.

For the most part, the Americans haven't let any team get into the game at any stage; they've started strong, they've finished strong and they've robbed the opponent of any hope before the first TV timeout. But Turkey made things interesting at two stages during Wednesday's matchup: It held a lead early in the first half (albeit a slim, one-point lead), and it pulled within five to start the second.

The U.S. can't let any team get close. When facing the heaviest of favorites, all an opponent needs is the tiniest bit of momentum in order to orchestrate the Giants-in-Super-Bowl-XLII Treatment.

Even when the opponent does get close, though, the U.S. has been able to stave off runs because it doesn't rely on one player to take over. It's a team thing. Against Turkey, Angel McCoughtry (18 points) and Tina Charles (16) led in scoring, giving Candace Parker a night off from playing hero.

And even then, it was Lindsay Whalen's effort down the stretch that solidified the victory. During a decisive third-quarter run, she scored six of eight total points to stretch and solidify the U.S.'s lead, according to the Associated Press. 

A strong start and a finish-by-committee will carry the Americans to their fourth straight win.

Czech Republic Key to the Game: Build Early Momentum

Just as important as it is for the Americans to build an early lead, it's equally important for the Czech Republic to come out of the gates firing and find some way to maintain that pressure. 

The Americans haven't even been challenged yet, so forcing them to react to any kind of adversity will be crucial for whatever team that plans to disrupt their momentum. Catching them off-guard, making them nervous, planting a smidgen of doubt that whatever they're doing isn't working—those are the factors that are going to contribute to an opponent's victory. 

The Czech Republic isn't going to outplay the U.S. The Americans have too much talent to be outplayed by any team this summer. But the Czech Republic can attempt to out-strategize the U.S. That might be the only hope.

Prediction: U.S. Wins

The Czech Republic can try all it wants to keep the U.S. on its toes, but in the end, the Americans aren't going to be beat. Not by a team that's only managed one win thus far.

If Turkey couldn't hold a candle to the U.S., the Czech Republic isn't going to be able to do it, either. It's not even going to be able to make it close.