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Steadily, if not always impressively, the U.S. basketball teams plowed through their preliminary games in defense of the Olympic championships they won in 1984. The men were inconsistent, crushing Spain 97-53, Egypt 102-35 and China 108-57, but struggling to subdue Canada 76-70. Against Brazil, which upset the Americans in last year's Pan Am Games final, the U.S. trailed early. But a suffocating full-court defense led by Vernell ("Bimbo") Coles and muscular moves under the basket by J.R. Reid shook the Brazilians' rhythm. By half time the U.S. had moved ahead 63-55, and a 21-7 tear at the start of the second half put the game beyond even the reach of Brazilian superstar Oscar Schmidt, who managed 31 points despite close coverage. (In a later losing effort, Schmidt sank 55 points, an Olympic record.) This week the Americans will probably face strong challenges from Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.

The American women may also find the Soviets blocking their path to gold. They struggled to beat Czechoslovakia 87-81, stunned a tough Yugoslav team 101-74, then disposed of China 94-79 to reach the medal round. The tall and talented Soviets bombed Bulgaria 91-62. Thus the stage seemed to be set for two dramatic U.S.-Soviet showdowns in the final week.