Slovenia vs. USA: TV Info, Live Stream and Preview for FIBA World Cup 2014

If it all goes as expected, Team USA's quarterfinal matchup with Slovenia Tuesday in the 2014 FIBA World Cup will help Anthony Davis and the roster take another critical step toward being a complete, well-oiled machine.

This version of Team USA is unlike those in recent memory, with very little continuity to speak of—made worse by the injury to Paul George and Kevin Durant's withdrawal.

Still, Mike Krzyzewski's team has had an easy go of it so far. Slovenia figures to be the steepest test the roster faces yet, but barring a historic collapse, Team USA should get through to the semifinals.

Let's take a look at the critical info surrounding the contest.

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Time: 3 p.m. ET

Location: Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

To Slovenia's credit, the No. 13 seed has played like anything but the No. 13 seed. Led by Goran Dragic of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the team has gone 5-1 and sits in fourth behind heavyweights such as the U.S., Spain and Brazil in points-per-game average.

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

In theory, Dragic should get his Tuesday. With no LeBron James or other notable defenders and James Harden, Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving not exactly known for their defense, the Suns star can certainly light up the stat sheet. 

The problem is, he's mostly alone when it comes to that ability.

Team USA is 6-0. They haven't won a game by fewer than 21 points. They average 99.5 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting. Average margin of victory? 31.5.

How about a cherry on top—these two teams played an exhibition match before the tournament began, and Team USA came away the winner, 101-71.

In the video below, NBA.com's Sekou Smith explains why Team USA is such a difficult matchup for Slovenia:

Dragic and his brother Zoran, among others, can spread the floor and hurt teams, but this opens them up below the rim for names such as Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Kenneth Faried to hurt them in a bad way.

The last name on that list is one to watch in particular, as Faried has even caught his legendary coach off guard so far.

“Overall, from the start of training camp, he’s been the biggest and best surprise and has turned out to be a very, very important player for us,” Krzyzewski said, per Smith. “He’s made that happen. We never call a play for him.”

Big things were expected of Davis. Cousins has also upheld his end of the bargain, as some stat crunching from Rotoworld's Michael Gallagher illustrates:

In this particular matchup, given the dynamics of the contrasting styles, even a sluggish start from Team USA can very much be compensated for via sheer domination beneath the rim.

There is a propensity for Slovenia to get hot from the perimeter, but this game is more of a final test for Team USA before dancing with the big boys. If the aforementioned perimeter defenders can limit points off the pick-and-roll, it will bode well for future potential encounters with a team like Spain.

Even better, the big men get one last chance to get in rhythm before an encounter with someone such as Pau Gasol.

Don't write off Slovenia entirely, but pay close attention to question marks with major matchups ahead on the bracket.

Note: Stats and info via ESPN unless otherwise specified.