WOMEN’S PREVIEW

There is work to do for the United States women to win a seventh straight gold medal in Tokyo. Like the men’s team, the women scuffled during their exhibition calendar, dropping games to Australia and a WNBA All-Star team. Still, Team USA — which carries a dominant 49-game Olympic winning streak dating back to the bronze medal game in 1992 — is the overwhelming favorite.

The team is experienced and loaded with talent. Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, one of six first-time Olympians on the roster, and reigning WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart lead the way while Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are each looking for a fifth gold medal, unprecedented for a team sport. Hall of Fame South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who won three gold medals as a player, is tasked with mixing and matching all of this talent.