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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Count Brazilian legend Oscar?Schmidt among those eager to see the United States and Spain reunite in Olympic basketball one round earlier than normal.In a rematch of the previous two gold-medal games, Team USA (6-0) meets Spain (4-2) in Fridays semifinals at 2:45 p.m. ET at the Carioca Arena 1.The United States should win, said Schmidt, who ranks as the all-time leading scoring in mens Olympic basketball and works now as a TV broadcaster.But Spain can win.Much will depend on the health of Spanish center Pau Gasol, who, at 36, remains his countrys most important player at both ends. Coach Sergio Scariolo told Spanish reporters Thursday that, because of a lingering calf injury, Gasols participation in the game cant be guaranteed.The Americans, of course, are convinced theyll see Gasol in uniform anchoring both Spains offense and defense, especially since his brother, Marc Gasol, couldnt join the national team this summer thanks to his ongoing recovery from foot surgery.Yet even with Spain fielding only one Gasol, no one will have to convince Team USA that Schmidt is right about the threat posed by the Spaniards. Coach Mike Krzyzewski knows it better than anyone after Team USA narrowly defeated Spain in the past two Olympic title games, in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.The Americans achieved those victories by just 11 (118-107) and seven points (107-100), respectively, then dodged a highly anticipated showdown with the Spaniards on Spanish soil -- with a weakened U.S. roster -- at the 2014 FIBA World Cup when the host country was stunningly ousted in the quarterfinals by France.We know who they are, Krzyzewski said.Spain is playing with -- they should and they usually do -- a great deal of confidence.The Spaniards have won their past four games in Rio by an average margin of 25.8 points, dramatically reversing their fortunes after going 0-2 to start pool play with losses to Croatia and host Brazil. To reach the semifinals, Spain pounded France by 25 points in Wednesdays quarterfinals.Every player on the 12-man Spanish roster except Felipe Reyes either plays in the NBA, has NBA experience or, at the very least, has been drafted by an NBA team. Its a highly motivated group as well, thanks to many critics who wrote Spain off as too old to threaten Team USA entering the tournament.They were wrong, Spain guard Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves said of the critics.?Said Spanish teammate Jose Calderon, who has been traded twice since the 2015-16 NBA season ended and will soon join the Los Angeles Lakers: I think this generation was [written off] eight years ago. And were still here.We know each other. We know when to support, when to yell to a teammate, when to say the right things. I think that helps us. ... I think thats why were better than some teams. Just because of that friendship, relationship, whatever you want to call it.The chemistry and continuity Calderon describes have been areas of concerns for the Americans, who are the only unbeaten team in the 12-nation field but endured three straight nervy fourth quarters in pool play against Australia, Serbia and France, with the lack of familiarity on a roster featuring 10 first-time Olympians widely cited as a chief culprit.Asked what he made of watching Team USA in a few close games already, Calderon said: Hopefully well have another one.Said Team USA star Kevin Durant of the Spaniards: Just like the Spurs, you can count em out as much as you want, but theyre always gonna be there.When have they not been? Krzyzewski added. They show up and show up big time. They have their key players from 08 and 12. Beating them would be a huge accomplishment for us. 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BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- The Latest on lawsuit by ex-coach against Penn State (all times local):5:50 p.m.A prosecutor, a longtime aide to head coach Joe Paterno, a Penn State lawyer and a university spokeswoman are the witnesses called to testify during the first day of trial in a former assistant football coachs lawsuit over his treatment by Penn State.Mike McQueary alleges the university retaliated against him because he became a key witness who helped convict Jerry Sandusky of child molestation four years ago.The trial began on Monday.The first day focused on McQuearys role in the Sandusky investigation and the decision to put him on paid administrative leave after Sandusky was first charged during the 2011 football season.Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers says she helped fine-tune a press release by then-President Graham Spanier that defended two of Spaniers top lieutenants -- a statement the lawsuit claims made it appear that McQueary had lied.---1:10 p.m.A lawyer for Penn State says its not the universitys fault that a former assistant football coach who reported Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing a boy cant find a new coaching job.University lawyer Nancy Conrad said during opening statements Monday in Mike McQuearys defamation and whistleblower lawsuit that by spending his entire career at Penn State he hasnt developed the network of contacts needed to find a new position.ddddddddddddShe says he was put on leave out of safety concerns, and she blamed national media and public opinion for ruining him.McQueary seeks more than $4 million in lost wages.His lawyer says Penn States actions have led coaches in other programs to conclude McQueary must have done something wrong.The trial is expected to last about two weeks.---12:15 a.m.A civil trial thats set to begin will determine if Penn State should pay for a claim it mistreated a former assistant coach who provided key evidence used to convict child molester Jerry Sandusky.Opening statements in Mike McQuearys lawsuit against the university where he played quarterback and coached are scheduled for Monday in a courthouse near the Penn State campus.McQueary claims the school defamed him, retaliated against him and misled him into thinking his report about Sandusky would be handled properly.He is seeking more $4 million in damages. A jury of nine women and three men was selected last week.McQueary testified during Sanduskys 2012 criminal trial that he saw Sandusky sexually abuse a boy in a team shower one night in early 2001. ' ' '