Well, most of the damage has already been done, and the tournament has definitely not gone down as most would have suspected. Some big games tomorrow as teams jocky for positioning in the knockout round.
The biggie: Group D, France vs New Zealand. If France and Greece win tomorrow, Spain would finish 3rd, playing Greece in the knockout game, then getting USA in the quarter match!!! Wow. Spain is praying for a New Zealand victory tomorrow you can be sure!
France has to beat New Zealand to guarantee the 2nd seed, but with a New Zealand victory over France, a three-way tie would result between France, Spain, and New Zealand (going to a tie-breaker based on point differential).
So France could end up anywhere from 2nd to 4th seed if they lose. The 4th seed plays Turkey in the knockout round. The 3rd seed plays Greece-Russia winner, ending in Team USA's bracket for the quarters. The 2nd seed places Greece-Russia loser, ending in the top bracket against group A winner (Argentina/Serbia). That second seed is the best place to be, for certain.
Lithuania has earned the top spot in group D, with the unfortunate "gift" of facing the dangerous Puerto Rican squad in the knockout round. ***update: wrong, PR blew it against a weak African squad, China took their spot.
We also have a nice match in Argentina - Serbia for 1st in group A.
Australia-Angola is also big in group A, as the loser becomes the sacrificial lamb for Team USA in knockout round.
In group B, Brazil and Croatia play for the all-important 3rd seed. Loser faces the 1st seed from group A (Serbia/Argentina) in knockout.
In group C, Greece and Russia play for the 2nd seed. The placement really doesn't matter much, as they will both end up facing a tough squad from group D in the knockout round, possibly Spain.
Showing posts with label World Championships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Championships. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
World Championship friendly updates
Greece is looking great. Last weekend they beat Croatia by 9, Germany by 28, and Russia by 38. Nice addition they found in former Florida Gator Nick Calathes, who led them in scoring.
--In a surprise to me, Serbia ended up beating Turkey fairly easily 83-70, led by Nenad Krstic.
--Angola, the African champions, got crushed over the weekend by Brazil 59-89. So much for African basketball superiority!
--Germany is not looking strong. They always have a great defense, but they are not getting any scoring punch, and appear to be stuck at the lower levels of the comp: losing by one to Croatia, winning by 3 over Russia (also, Russia beat Croatia by 1).
--Puerto Rico, lost the best of three with Argentina over the last week, although they played without Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman (and the last game without their big man Ramos). They lost the first game in overtime by five, then won by 7, but lost the final in the series by 13.
--Argentina played their three games against P.R. without Oberto and Nocioni, and the first two without Prigioni, who will all be with them for the Worlds. Luis Scola continues to play like a monster, scoring 33 in their final victory over P.R. Scola may be the best player in the tournament at the Worlds.
--Spain has beaten three quality opponents fairly easily in the past week, still looking like the tourny favorites: beating Ivory Coast by 15, Lithuania by 21, and Slovenia by 20. JC Navarro, Rudy Fernandez, and Marc Gasol look to be the keys to their success.
--Lithuania beat Slovenia by 3, considered a slight upset the way they have respectively been playing lately, led by Kleiza and Javtokas. Dragic continues to pour in points for Slovenia.
--New Zealand squeeked out a victory over Iran 69-68, led by Kirk Penney's 28. In their 71-76 loss to Serbia, Penney poured in 34.
--Iran now has Hadaddi in action, and are a very tough squad with him on the floor.
--In a surprise to me, Serbia ended up beating Turkey fairly easily 83-70, led by Nenad Krstic.
--Angola, the African champions, got crushed over the weekend by Brazil 59-89. So much for African basketball superiority!
--Germany is not looking strong. They always have a great defense, but they are not getting any scoring punch, and appear to be stuck at the lower levels of the comp: losing by one to Croatia, winning by 3 over Russia (also, Russia beat Croatia by 1).
--Puerto Rico, lost the best of three with Argentina over the last week, although they played without Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman (and the last game without their big man Ramos). They lost the first game in overtime by five, then won by 7, but lost the final in the series by 13.
--Argentina played their three games against P.R. without Oberto and Nocioni, and the first two without Prigioni, who will all be with them for the Worlds. Luis Scola continues to play like a monster, scoring 33 in their final victory over P.R. Scola may be the best player in the tournament at the Worlds.
--Spain has beaten three quality opponents fairly easily in the past week, still looking like the tourny favorites: beating Ivory Coast by 15, Lithuania by 21, and Slovenia by 20. JC Navarro, Rudy Fernandez, and Marc Gasol look to be the keys to their success.
--Lithuania beat Slovenia by 3, considered a slight upset the way they have respectively been playing lately, led by Kleiza and Javtokas. Dragic continues to pour in points for Slovenia.
--New Zealand squeeked out a victory over Iran 69-68, led by Kirk Penney's 28. In their 71-76 loss to Serbia, Penney poured in 34.
--Iran now has Hadaddi in action, and are a very tough squad with him on the floor.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
World Championships 2010
Looks to be a great tournament shaping up for White basketball fans.
Spain is the prohibitive favorite. They are the defending World Champs, as well as the European Champions from last year. Of course, the big minus is Pau Gasol not playing, but the entire rest of the team is coming back, and better than ever.
The United States has to be considered a dark horse. After the loss of David Lee and coach Dantoni, as well as both Lopez brothers, they are looking especially weak down low. Kevin Love looks to be the only White player to make the team.
Argentina all-White squad is currently the number one ranked team in the world, so they cannot be overlooked.
Brazil's integrated team also looks very powerful and should give Team USA a solid beating in their group.
Serbia's all-White squad looks to be dark horses, having turned around their national program and taken 2nd in the Euro 2009 Championship.
Slovenia looks to be an up-and-coming squad as well, led by the surging Goran Dragic, although it would be a major shocker to see them make the medal stand.
It is with great sadness for me to report that the Italian team did not make the tournament. Although ranking in FIBAs top 10, and better than most teams that did make the field, they could not make it out of the tough European qualifying.
Puerto Rico's integrated team also looks to be a dark horse, bring a very high-powered and mentally tough team to the tournament.
France's all-Black team looks good on paper, and includes the addition of Joachim Noah, but like all all-black teams, will probably underperform.
The "friendly" pre-tournament games heat up this weekend, so look forward to frequent updates.
Spain is the prohibitive favorite. They are the defending World Champs, as well as the European Champions from last year. Of course, the big minus is Pau Gasol not playing, but the entire rest of the team is coming back, and better than ever.
The United States has to be considered a dark horse. After the loss of David Lee and coach Dantoni, as well as both Lopez brothers, they are looking especially weak down low. Kevin Love looks to be the only White player to make the team.
Argentina all-White squad is currently the number one ranked team in the world, so they cannot be overlooked.
Brazil's integrated team also looks very powerful and should give Team USA a solid beating in their group.
Serbia's all-White squad looks to be dark horses, having turned around their national program and taken 2nd in the Euro 2009 Championship.
Slovenia looks to be an up-and-coming squad as well, led by the surging Goran Dragic, although it would be a major shocker to see them make the medal stand.
It is with great sadness for me to report that the Italian team did not make the tournament. Although ranking in FIBAs top 10, and better than most teams that did make the field, they could not make it out of the tough European qualifying.
Puerto Rico's integrated team also looks to be a dark horse, bring a very high-powered and mentally tough team to the tournament.
France's all-Black team looks good on paper, and includes the addition of Joachim Noah, but like all all-black teams, will probably underperform.
The "friendly" pre-tournament games heat up this weekend, so look forward to frequent updates.
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