Repeat? Spain reigned, US upset last time Japan hosted hoops

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2006, file photo, Spain's Pau Gasol, left, goes after a rebound along with Argentina's Andres Nocioni during the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2006, file photo, USA's Dwyane Wade (9), right, is fouled by Greece's Dimos Dikoudis during the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - In this Sep. 1, 2006, file photo, Greece's Sofoklis Schortsiantis, left, drives to the basket as USA's Dwight Howard (12), right, NBA's Orlando Magic, and Shane Battier, of NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, ceneter back, guard during the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2006, file photo, Spain team members celebrate after defeating Argentina in the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)