THE first round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup has wrapped up, with only half of the teams advancing to the second round after some intriguing results in the first week of play.
The second round sees the results of the first carry over, and the groups have been combined to see some new and exciting matchups.
The Australian Boomers have advanced to the second round after defeating Finland and Japan, while sustaining a three-point loss to Germany. This puts the Aussies in Group K, where they will face off against the likes of Slovenia and Germany in a bid to advance to the quarter finals.
Slovenia is where the true challenge lies for the Boomers, given it has been undefeated so far in the tournament.
It also boasts the best player in the tournament in Luka Doncic, who has the ability to win games on his own. Doncic has been dominating for Slovenia in the first week, leading the team to a 3-0 record, and dropping 30-plus points in two of the three games, while still dropping 19 points and nine assists in the final game of the first round.
Doncic’s ability to impact the game will have a huge say in Slovenia’s matchup against Australia, with the Boomers likely to look to keep the ball out of his hands as much as possible. One thing in the Boomers’ favour is the number of matchups it has for the Slovenian guard.
Matisse Thybulle is a great one-on-one defender, as is Josh Green, who plays with Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Green will likely get the matchup on him, given he was moved into the starting lineup, and will know Doncic’s tricks and movements better than anyone.
The likes of Dyson Daniels and Jack White could see more court time given their play style could match up well against Doncic. Australia will be looking avoid him switching on to Patty Mills, who can guard backcourt players well, but will struggle size-wise.
The aim for Australia will be to force Slovenia to put up shots via players other than Doncic. The game looms as do or die for the Aussies given results carry over from the first round and Germany and Slovenia are both undefeated.
Groups
Group I
Serbia
Dominican Republic
Italy
Puerto Rico
Group J
United States
Lithuania
Montenegro
Greece
Group K
Slovenia
Germany
Australia
Georgia
Group L
Canada
Spain
Brazil
Latvia
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