The USA's long cycle of success

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Geno Auriemma heard a familiar question after he coached the USA to a comprehensive victory over Spain in the Gold Medal Game of the Rio Olympics.

"Why," a reporter asked, "do you think the gap between the USA and the rest of the world has widened?"

The USA had not just beaten the competition comprehensively in Rio de Janeiro. They had annihilated it, with the smallest margin of victory 19 points in the 86-67 Semi-Final romp over France.

"We're at a real high level that maybe no one has ever seen before. That's not because necessarily they've gotten weaker. I think it's because women's basketball just keeps getting stronger and stronger in the US." - Auriemma

"Things go in cycles," Auriemma answered. "It's very difficult to stay at a real high level for a long, long time. We have an organization in the United States that's committed in so many ways, both emotionally and financially.

"There is a tremendous commitment to winning gold medals. That probably accounts for a lot of our success. We have a system of college basketball that helps players grow during their four years."

Diana Taurasi has won two Olympic golds with Auriemma as USA coach

The USA have won the gold medal at every Olympics since 1996. As for the college experience that Auriemma referred to, it turns out that he coaches the best team in the NCAA, too, the University of Connecticut.

Just like the Americans, UConn are the gold standard of women's college basketball. The Huskies are winners of the last four national titles and 11 in all since 1995. Just as Auriemma's American squad runs roughshod over the competition, so do his college players.

In every one of those UConn title triumphs, Auriemma has been at the helm. It's not surprising, therefore, that many of his former UConn players are the ones capturing gold medals with the national team. Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird were champions with Auriemma at Connecticut and have won three titles with him as USA coach. They captured the last two Olympic gold medals and also won the world title.

Taurasi and Bird were also on American teams that captured gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

The cycle of excellence is proving to be a long one for the USA. In 1994, the Brazilians won the world title and in 2006, following the Americans' upset defeat to Russia in the Semi-Finals, Australia's Opals captured the world title.

Brazil were the hosts of the Rio Olympics and didn't have to qualify. They did not win a game. Russia did not qualify for Rio.

Auriemma accepts that some powerhouses have slipped, yet insists the situation is not as bleak as it may appear.

"For every Brazil that isn't as good, Canada is way better," Auriemma said. "For every Russia that is not as dominant, now Spain was in the Final of the World Championship and they were in the Final (of the Olympics).

Spain have lost to the USA in the Final two of the last three years

"For every maybe Australia that struggles, Serbia, such a small country, has their men and their women playing in the (medal round). Those other countries will come back... There is a cycle that you go through."

No team appears to have a chance against the USA, at least for the foreseeable future.

"We're at a real high level that maybe no one has ever seen before," Auriemma said. "That's not because necessarily they've gotten weaker. I think it's because women's basketball just keeps getting stronger, stronger and stronger in the US..."

There is no such thing as mission impossible in sports, but it has gotten to the point that many crown the USA as champions before they even run onto the court.

"If you just took us out of the tournament, this would be an amazing tournament," Auriemma said.

"But unfortunately (for everyone else) we're not going anywhere."

FIBA