LA BANDA (Argentina) – The group stage is over and we're one step closer to finding out who will win the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 2023 Argentina and clinch a spot in next summer's FIBA ​​Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

While Bahamas and Argentina met expectations and advanced out of Group A, Chile shocked everyone by sweeping their slate and Uruguay barely advanced on point differential.

Looking ahead at Saturday's action, these are the semifinals matchups: 

Bahamas vs. Uruguay

Key Matchups 

The gulf between these 2 teams couldn’t be wider. While Bahamas comfortably won both of their games, Uruguay finished with a 1-2 record and advanced, barely, on-point differential despite being the favorite coming in.

They're also not fighting a fair fight. While Bahamas has their best roster ever (despite missing one of their 4 current NBA players), Uruguay's squad is missing not only retired legend Esteban Batista, but also team stalwarts Bruno Fittipaldo, Luciano Parodi, Santiago Vescovi and Jayson Granger.

X-Factor

Like with any Bahamas game this tournament, it all comes down to how Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon perform.

If that trio of NBA starters play at anywhere near the top of their powers, Uruguay (or frankly any other team) will struggle mightily to keep up.

Stats don't lie

Bahamas has been far and away the best team of the tournament and the observation goes beyond the eye test. 

The islanders are No. 1 in scoring (105 points per game), field goal percentage (56.1), three-point percentage (49.1) and even free throw percentage (84.4).

Did you know?

Bahamas has never been to a World Cup, let alone an Olympic Games, but this might be their best chance yet. 

Winning the tournament this week would give them a birth in one of next year's FIBA ​​Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and it's not inconceivable to think that they would return the same squad a year from now – likely with a big-time reinforcement like Charlotte Hornets big man Kai Jones. 

Chile vs. Argentina

Key Matchups 

While Argentina's talent advantage in the perimeter is dramatic, Chile has in Felipe Haase and Nicolás Carvacho a pair of bigs who can do a lot of damage on the inside.

And due to Chile's solid floor spacing, Argentina will have to play them straight up, putting a lot of pressure on Juan Fernández and Francisco Cáffaro to stay out foul trouble.

Gabriel Deck, coming off an injury, might also have to take on some defensive assignments against players bigger than him. 

X-Factor

Facundo Campazzo said after Argentina's loss to Bahamas that "fighting isn’t enough, (they) need to play good basketball." 

The speedy point guard has been his team's best player so far in the tournament, but as the floor general, he needs to set the tone, get Argentina playing at a favorable place, find good shots for his teammates and do a good enough job pressuring his opponent's ball handlers.

Against Chile, Campazzo will also be tasked with defending Sebastián Herrera (13 points per game) and/or Ignacio Varela (10.7) and making sure his team's young bigs are involved in the offense and locked in on defense.

Stats don't lie

Chile might not lead in any statistical category this week, but they're the team averaging the least number of turnovers per game (10.3).

Taking care of the ball will be essential against an Argentinian squad that is at its best when it's out in transition and playing fast. 

Did you know?

Despite not having anywhere near the success of regional neighbors like Argentina, Brazil or Venezuela, Chile still holds a pair of FIBA World Cup bronze medals. They finished in 3^rd place at the 1950 edition in Buenos Aires and repeated the feat in 1959 at home.

That occasion was their last participation at a world event (their last Olympics appearance was in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia) but that long absence now looks like a great source of motivation for this up-and-coming squad that seems poised to compete more seriously in years to come.

FIBA