Biggest Takeaways from Saturday's FIBA World Cup of Basketball Round of 16 Play

After the first day of elimination-round competition at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, four teams survived the round of 16, while eight others will attempt to do the same on Sunday.

The United States, France, Slovenia and Spain all advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday in their first contests since preliminary-group play. There were no surprises so far, but the toughest matchups await—including a potential meeting between Team USA and Spain in the Final.

The U.S. has yet to be tested during tournament play, and its win over Mexico was no different. The 86-63 victory actually looks closer than it was thanks to a strong fourth quarter by Mexico. 

Meanwhile, Croatia's late-game run was almost enough to upset the French (who prevailed 69-64), and Slovenia bested the Dominican Republic by a modest 10 points.

But Spain continued to mirror the United States' dominance with an 89-56 victory over Senegal. With the Spaniards and Americans blowing opponents out left and right, their eventual meeting in the Final may be all but certain by now.

In the meantime, here's what we can take away from Saturday's action.

Stephen Curry Has His Groove Back

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After dropping 14 points on Ukraine in the final game of group play, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry scored a team-high 20 points in Team USA's victory over Mexico in the round of 16.

It was a welcome breakout performance for the United States' best perimeter shooter.

CBSSports.com's Zach Harper notes:

"

Curry started off the tournament 0-of-5 from three-point range when he couldn't hit against Finland. He started creeping back toward warmth from outside, like a Boy Scout learning how to build a fire in the wilderness. He hit 3-of-6 in the second game and 2-of-4 in each of the next two games.

"

If the 26-year-old can remain hot from beyond the three-point arc, the U.S. will be especially tough to beat. Having relied heavily on big men Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried during group play, head coach Mike Krzyzewski's squad could use some long-range firepower to balance the offensive attack.

Curry is coming off a career season with the Warriors, averaging 24.0 points and 8.5 assists per contest.

As Team USA's starting floor general, the Davidson product has a lot riding on his shoulders—even on a deep roster of star contributors. Reserve point guard Derrick Rose is still fighting off rust after playing just 10 games last season, so Curry stands out as the club's most dangerous playmaker at the moment.

After nailing six of nine three-point attempts on Saturday, he also may be its most dangerous scorer.

DeMarcus Cousins Quietly Vindicating Team USA Selection

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Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins hasn't received the same kind of attention fellow bigs Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried are getting, but he's making the most of his opportunities.

The 24-year-old tallied 11 points and seven rebounds in less than 14 minutes of action on Saturday, making all five of his field-goal attempts in the process. Through six FIBA World Cup games, the Kentucky product is averaging 9.8 points and five rebounds in just 13.7 minutes per contest. Even more impressively, he's converting on 70.6 percent of his field-goal attempts.

The playing time has been limited, but the play has been exceptional.

"We have believed in DeMarcus right from training camp," head coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters after the win over Mexico, per Sam Amick of USA Today. "All the reports about him not making the team and all that were all not right. We felt that he would be the perfect guy with or in place of (New Orleans Pelicans big man and starting center) Anthony (Davis) at times, but more in the place of Anthony."

"He'd get an A-plus for me today. Let's put it that way," Krzyzewski added.

Cousins posted career highs with 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game last season. With a little FIBA World Cup experience added to his resume, he could be in store for even bigger things going forward. 

Bojan Bogdanovic Goes out with a Bang

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It wasn't enough to secure a win against France, but Bojan Bogdanovic did his part for Croatia with 27 points in nearly 36 minutes of action.

The French squad ultimately prevailed by a final score of 69-64.

The 25-year-old swingman went 11-of-19 from the field, making three of seven three-point attempts in the process. He was one of only two Croatians with double-figure points.

Though Bogdanovic was selected by the Miami Heat with the No. 31 overall pick back in 2011, his rights were subsequently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then again to the New Jersey Nets. He finally inked a three-year deal with the now-Brooklyn Nets this summer, adding some depth to a wing rotation that just lost veteran Paul Pierce.

The outburst against France wasn't an outlier for Bogdanovic.

Through six tournament games, he averaged 21.2 points and 4.2 rebounds, converting 50 percent of his field-goal attempts in the process. 

Croatia's FIBA World Cup competition may have come to an end, but Bogdanovic's NBA career is just getting started. By the looks of things, it could be pretty good.

The Dragic Brothers Keep Slovenia Alive

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If you thought you were impressed with Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic, check out his brother Zoran's most recent performance in a 71-61 victory over the Dominican Republic.

Zoran tallied a game-high 18 points and four steals in just over 32 minutes of action, hitting eight of 16 field-goal attempts and leading Slovenia to its fifth win in six games. Meanwhile, Goran added 12 points and six assists of his own.

For the tournament, the brothers are averaging a combined 29.7 points and 5.8 assists per game. 

Goran was named the NBA's Most Improved Player last season after averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists with the overachieving Suns. Due to become a free agent next summer (unless he picks up a player option), the 28-year-old should be in store for a significant raise over the $7.5 million he's scheduled to make this season.

Zoran recently reached a contract extension with his Spanish League team, but he participated on the Houston Rockets' summer league team in 2012. Still just 25, he's making a strong case for future NBA consideration.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein noted via Twitter "that a few NBA teams are indeed tracking him." Sportando is reporting that the Indiana Pacers may be one of those teams.

Pau Gasol Putting Spain on Collision Course with Team USA

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Through five games of group play, Pau Gasol averaged 21.2 points and 5.6 rebounds.

He added another 17 points and five rebounds to that tally on Saturday, leading all scorers in Spain's 89-56 rout of Senegal. Brother Marc added nine points, six rebounds, three assists and four blocks, while power forward Serge Ibaka chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks of his own.

In less than 21 minutes of action, point guard Ricky Rubio filled up the stat sheet with seven points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals.

Like Team USA, the Spaniards have enough depth (including NBA talent) to rely on team efforts—and it shows. Spain is dominating its competition and remains undefeated after six tournament games.

The club's collective experience and chemistry have been as valuable as its talent, and it's increasingly looking as though the United States may have its hands full should the two teams meet in the Final on Sept. 14.

Team USA and Spain battled in the Final of the 2012 London Summer Olympics, and the Americans narrowly prevailed by just seven points. That team boasted the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony.

If that team struggled to outlast Spain, the less talented 2014 roster may be in serious trouble.

Spain is banking on just that.