The Emu's are in Group B along with Argentina, Latvia and Chinese Taipei.

Mitch Creek is from Vic (horsham) is he not, or has he relocated his state - and yeah I know he lives here now

Good chance to get a medal!

no, cos his name is Mitchell he has to be from Queensland!

Creek is definitely a VIC...BA always seem to muddle club/team etc up for at least 1 player.

Very good chance for a medal of any colour.

Im really excited to see what happens in this tournament.
There are a number of good prospects here so the quality of basketball should be high.
Valanciunas, Davis Sartens, Raul Neto, etc.

Alot of people seem to think Lithuania are the favourites, and its hard to argue that.

Brazil should be a really tough team! They could easily medal IMO.
At last years FIBA Americas, they lost to a USA Team featuring Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers by 3 points.

Once again though, you could argue that the whole "certain numbers from each FIBA region" waters-down the event.
Europe is obviously the toughest area to qualify out of, hence good teams like Italy, France and Germany miss out.
But then teams like Korea, Tunisia, Egypt and Chinese Taipei qualify. There would be alot of Euro teams that could easily defeat these Asian and African teams.

Or reduce number of teams from Asia, and maybe one from the Americas, and use the available spots to stage a reparchage tournament.

Only problem would be the cost..

It should be a great tourney and I personally cannot wait!

Interesting to see mitch creek play both games for south, 2 days before he left for worlds, then again money talks and emus walk.

South Australia's Philip Haines is also representing Australia at these Championships as a referee... Congratulations to him, and all the players/coaches/staff members selected and good luck for the Tournament!

Obviously, the Americans are the favorite. That is a constant.

Zephyr, not in this case.
They fielded their best team possible at the FIBA qualifyers (Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers) and still only beat Brazil by 3 points.

Their team for the WC's is much weaker.

Lithuania are favorites IMO.

Their size (Average height of 6"6-6"7), Skill and knowledge of the International game will make them tough. Especially considering they have Jonas VALANCIUNAS who will go in this years draft

USA won in NZ in 2009, but look at the team they had to have there. They had players like Shelvin Mack, Seth Curry, Gordon Hayward, Klay Thompson.

From the US Scouts I have spoken with, this year team isn't as strong.

MACDUB is on the money. Lithuania are the ones to beat in this WC. They have a massive front court with legit 7 footers who can play, and boast a very deep bench. And of course they too have some serious NBA prospects on their team as well.

Team USA have a solid and very athletic team (as always) that will be in contention, but Lithuania are the ones everyone will be hunting in this tourney.

Emus defeat Brazil in Global Games

Emu's defeated Brazil's U19 WC team in a warm up tournament 88-64 in what was a commanding performance.

Hugh Greenwood and Anthony Drmic top scored for the Emus with 12 points apiece. Also in double figures were Mitch Creek, Lewis Thomas, Daniel Trist with 11 points each and Jackson Hussey with 10. The Emu's shot the three-ball at a sizzling 71% in this game, but their effort was dampened by a foot inuury to Mitch Norton. Hope he comes good quickly.

Hugh Greenwood has been named Australian Captain, whilst Mitch Creek has been named as ahis deputy.

The Emu's next game in the 'Global Games' is against the powerful Lithuanian's, so this could be a really good indicator of what our chances may be at the WC's.

Australia lost overnight to Lithuania 70-80 in the Global Games.

Mitch Creek led the way with 22 points whilst Hugh Greenwood was next best with 14 points & 8 rebounds.

Lithuania started strongly and led by 11 at aurter time and never looked back, leading by as much as 16 points at 3 quarter time.

And last night they lost to canada by 70-76
Mitch Creek 22 points, 8 rebounds, Lewis Thomas 14 points, 6 rebounds, Hugh Greenwood 12 points, 12 rebounds

These two losses should serve as an awakening for the boys, who can hopefully now find some better rhythm and tempo when the World Champs start in a few days.

30/6/11 - Argentina
1/7/11 - Latvia
2/7/11 - Chinese Taipei

http://latvia2011.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/11/fu19m/news/p/nid/47481/article.html

Lithuania too strong for Emus

BA recap of game vs Lithuania.

Worth noting that Mitch Norton has been diagnosed with a broken bone in his foot and has subsequently been ruled out of the WC's. He would be devastated.

Lithuania thrashed USA 101-72 at the Global Games. An opening 32-8 first quarter had the USA on their back heels from which they never recovered.

Was that the Lithuanian U20 team though?

Was it? I would have assumed their U19 team was playing given the WC's start within a week.

I think both their U20 and U19 teams are playing in the tournament.

Just checked, it was the U20s. It was 32-8 at 1/4 time!

Lithuania U19 beat USA U19 overnight 108-75.

They will be tough to beat Lithuania. However they were upset by Croatia overnight in the 1st round of the WC's.

Emus chase gold at U19 Men's World Champs

Owen Odigie has been sent over to replace the injured Mitch Norton who will be out for 3-5 months with his broken foot.

Norton out 3-5 months, Replacement Arrives

Overnight, Australia opened their World Championship campaign with a big 73-49 win over Argentina.
Anthony Drmic led the way with a game-high 25 points on an efficent 9/12 shooting including 5/8 from downtown to go with 6 rebounds. Hugh Greenwood was next best with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. I'm not sure how accurate the boxscore actually is as it lists Drmic as only playing 3 minutes!

Australia vs Argentina Boxscore

Drmic: 'It was my night tonight'

Day 1 Review

I should have also mentioned that Australia plays host nation Latvia tonight.

Watch games live on FIBA TV

You can watch the games live on FIBATV.COM, however there is a cost...

LC - are you sure they are streaming all of the U19 games? I heard it was just QFs onwards?

It is just Quarter Finals onwards

And it's only $15 for a months access I think.. Will be purchasing once Australia is confirmed making quarters.. Which is very likely at this stage I reckon

Australia crashed to home nation Latvia last night, going down 68-78. A 17-29 third quarter hurt the Emu's and they never recovered.
Creek had a team-high 20 points alongside 7 rebounds, Hadziomerovic 14, Drmic 12 and 5 rebounds, and Greenwood with 10 points.

Australia vs Latvia Box Score

Day 2 Review

Australia take on Chinese Taipei tonight in a must win game.

Australia defeated Chinese Taipei 93-65 to win their way through to the next round.
Drmic lit up with 34 points on 11/15 shooting including 7/9 from downtown alongside 8 rebounds. Hadziomerovic was next best with 27 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Australia vs Chinese Taipei Box Score

In good news for the Aussies, Argentina upset Latvia, and in the end Australia ended up in 1st place in Group B.

Day 3 Review

Australia is now in Group F as follows:

Australia
Brazil
Poland
Russia
Latvia
Argentina

We next play against Russia on Monday night.

Greenwood hurt his ankle in the loss to Latvia. Not sure how bad it is and how it will place him for the rest of the tournament.

Boise State would be very impressed by the work of their two incoming Freshman in Drmic and Iggy so far...

I should have also mentioned that Dmric is so far the leading scoring in the tourney at 23.7ppg!

It's good to finish first, but the loss to Latvia will carry over so it could still come back to bite us. All teams in our group have gone 2-1 so far.

We have Russia, Brazil and Poland over the next three days, all games at 11.45pm EST if my conversion is correct.

It has been a fascinating tournament so far, China giving Serbia and the US a good run for their money but losing to Egypt! Croatia beating Lithuania but then losing to Korea. Russia beating Brazil but then losing to Poland by 17.

Future Broncos Lead Australia to Next Round

Butler's Marshall Helps USA To 82-66 Win Over China

And Aldridge gets a one-line mention in a report on Butler's website...

As reported on the offical FIBA WC's website, Hugh Greenwood is expected to suit up for tonight's big game against the Russians.

Emus defeat Russia 85 - 78
they were down most of the game but never let the Russians get too far ahead and then with about 5 minutes to go snuck ahead and got the win!
Drmic and creek top scoring

Emus defeat Russia 85 - 78
they were down most of the game but never let the Russians get too far ahead and then with about 5 minutes to go snuck ahead and got the win!
Drmic and creek top scoring

Great come from behind winn by the Emus to win 85-78 after trailing for most of the game.
Drmic continued his outstanding tourney to date by leading all scorers with 22 points on an efficient 7/10 shooting (3/5 3PT, 5/6 FT), Creek had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, Hadziomerovic 15 points, Greenwood with 12, and Odigie had 11.

Aussie battler mentality wins games and friends

Australia vs Russia Box Score

Drmic brings victory to Australia (Video)

Australia vs Russia Post Game Interviews (Video)

Australia next takes on Brazil tonight who accounted for Latvia last night.

Day 4 Review

What a great result. Well done boys. Good to see Greenwood playing after his injury scare, and very happy for McKinnon boy Owen Odigie!

Boise State: Drmic, Hadziomerovic Lead Australia to Victory

Basketball Australia: Emus take down Russia in 2nd phase of World Champs

The emus get the win again in another close game against brazil.
63-57
Creek 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals
Greenwood 17 points, 5 steals

Drmic 0/10 FG :o/ he must have been getting hounded.

Just bought a months access to fibatv.. cant wait for friday night for some live video!

Great win by the Aussies! Australia as a whole shot poorly at just over 30% and still managed to eke out the win. Creek hit 11/26 from the field whilst Drmic was hounded into submission, but I'm sure he will bounce back. Aldridge had his best game to date with 9 points and 6 rebounds and Hussey added spark off the bench with 7 including 5 late in the 3rd to give the Aussies an edge in what was a tight game.

Australia vs Brazil Box Score

Australia cement quarter final berth

Australia can secure first place in their group by defeating Poland tonight.

Day 5 Review

Some more content on Australia's win over Brazil:

Post game interviews (video)

Basketball Australia: Emus set clear path to WC finals with win over Brazil

Boise State: Australian Broncos Win Again at World U19s

CBS Sports: Boise State boasts leading scorer in U-19 Worlds

From Butler's website: "In the game following the U.S. victory, Australia defeated Brazil, 63-57. Butler recruit Jackson Aldridge finished with nine points and six rebounds to help Australia to its fourth win at the Championship."

Top of the table clash with Poland. A win will be crucial for the cross-over quarters as a loss could see the Aussies drop to third.

Good to see Creek playing well. Drmic was bound to have a game like that after shooting the lights out all tournament. Even after that game he is averaging over 56% for the tourny.

He is 19/40 against the four better teams they have played though (and 10/23 3pfg), which is still pretty good but a bit more in perspective.

XY, we will finish 1st or 2nd in our group. We are 4-1 and have beaten the two teams below us on 3-2 so even if we lose to Poland we will have the tie breaker against any team we may be tied with. Doesn't make for an easy game either way, Serbia or Croatia are both very tough.

Paul.

He is 19/40 against the four better teams they have played though (and 10/23 3pfg), which is still pretty good but a bit more in perspective.



I dont think it does put it in perspective. It just skews the on poor shooting game last night more into his stats. Take that game out and he was 19/30 against the other 3 better teams.
Will be interesting to watch what happens from here on in. He will certainly have the shit scouted out of him and IF Brazil did find an answer others will attempt something simlar. As for using the caliber of oposition to downplay his F/G%, 3PT% stats until last night they were at almost unheard of levels for that amount of games.

Drmic will get more attention no doubt but you'd think he was also due for an off-night and he will bounce back. Both teams shot poorly last night, it was obviously one of those hard-fought games. Funny how basketball can work like that.

Worth noting though that in the three close games he has been 10/26 and in the two blowouts he has been 20/27. That puts it into perspective for me on a number of levels ie: more open shots in blowouts, but also his hot shooting a big part in the blow outs.

Statistically (given I only have boxscores and game reports to go on) Creek has been the best player for mine in those three games - 20p at 41%, 7r, 3s, 2a. Drmic has 12p at 38%, 3r, 2a.

Of course, it isnt really about that, we just need them both firing so we can get a medal.

Australia defeated Poland 72-52 overnight to clinch first place in their group ahead of the sudden death finals.
Jackson Aldridge exploded for a game-high 21 points on 8/14 shooting including 3/5 from long range. Hadziomerovic bounced back with 14 points, Creek had 12 points and 8 rebounds, and Greenwood had 10 points.

Australia vs Poland Box Score

Ausralia take group E honours

Jackson Aldridge on an ever improving Australia (Video)

USA were upset by Croatia overnight. I think this means will face Serbia in our next game.

Some more online content following Australia's win over Poland:

Boise State: Drmic, Hadziomerovic Headed to U19 Quarterfinals

Butler: Incoming Freshman breaks out vs. Poland

New Mexico: Greenwood Looking for U-19 World Title

Basketball Australia: Emus beat Poland to top their group before finals

And yes, we now face Serbia in our sudden death Quarter Final. Serbia's only two losses to date have been to the USA by just 2 points and Lithuania - arguably two of the tournament favourites for gold. They will be tough. A win will give us a crack at the medal rounds.

Thanks Juno, forgot about FIBA's curious head to head rankings.

Another great win to the Aussies, excellent to finish on top of their group. That said, Australia was clearly in the weaker half of the draw, but you can only beat the teams you meet. Serbia will give us a run for our money.

On a quick calculation, the Aussies rank by far as the stingiest defence in the top 8:
1. Aus: 63 ppg
2. Bra: 69
3. Arg: 69
4. Pol: 71
5. Srb: 72
6. Ltu: 73
7. Usa: 75
8. Cro: 79

Interesting to note that the top four teams were all Group E teams. As you would expect, for points scored per game it is reversed somewhat, with the Aussies dropping to 6th:

1. Usa: 92 ppg
2. Ltu: 92
3. Cro: 80
4. Bra: 78
5. Srb: 77
6. Aus: 76
7. Pol: 76
8. Arg: 69

This suggests to me comparatively that the strength and scoring power of Group F was quite a bit higher than Group E. I would like to think the Aussies can beat Serbia, but it could be a clean sweep for Group F in the crossover quarters.

If Australia were to beat Serbia tomorrow night, then I blieve we would face the winner of Lithuania vs Poland in the semi finals.

Day 6 Review

I think I was wrong. If we beat Servia I now believe we play the winner of Croatia vs Argentina.

XY, all your calculations have brasil in the top 8. Their loss to Argentina in overtime meant that Russia went through after defeating Latvia earlier in the day, as they had already defeated Brasil and progressed in the event of a tie.
1/4's are Poland v Lithuania, Russia v US, winners to cross, Australia v Serbia, Croatia v Argentina, winners to cross.
I know which half of the draw I'd rather be on.

Brilliant news, and great to see a spread of contributors too. When the 2009 tournament hit the knockout stages we didnt have enough guys who could pout points on the board and we relied on Dellavedova to create shots, it doesnt look like that will be an issue this time around.

Sports Illustrated: Aussie recruits eyeing Butler, Boise state as top destinations

(I picked up on this from another thread)

Basketball Australia: Emus poised for World Champs quarter final with Serbia

The Australian Emus U19 Men's Basketball team are on the doorstep of the biggest opportunity of their blossoming careers, as they prepare for their quarter final match-up with Serbia tomorrow morning (AEST), the winner going through to the semi-finals and a guaranteed play-off for a medal.

Tip-off for the Australia V Serbia clash is at 2.00am AEST tomorrow morning.

European TV Broadcast Network EuroSport 2 will be televising all finals games, including this clash on pay tv.

Otherwise you can watch the game live online via FIBATV.com

Quick catch-up summary:

Australia lost to Serbia 74-93 in the quarter finals.
Greewood scored a game-high 25 points (7/12 3PT), Drmic had 15, Creek 11 and Aridge 10.
Australia vs Serbia Box Score

Basketball Australia: Emus succumb to Serbia in Quarter Finals

Australia defeated Croatia 90-63 to earn the right to play off for 5th place.
Greenwood once again led all scorers with 21 points, Creek had 20 & 10, Drmic scored 13, Odigie 12 and Trist 11.
Australia vs Croatia Box Score

Australia play off for 5th against USA.

Australia lost to USA 77-78 in a heart-breaker, ending the WC's in 6th position.
Greenwood was again the leading man, scoring a game-high 26 points (6/14 3PT) supported by Creek with 11 & 9, Aldridge with 11 and Drmic with 10.
Greenwood had a three point chance to win at the buzzer that missed.
Australia vs USA Box Score

Basketball Australia: Emus finish sixth after nail-biting loss to USA

FIBA: USA clinch fifth spot in dramatic classification game

FIBA: Interview with Anthony Drmic (Video)

Lithuania took out the gold medal by defeating Serbia 85-67.

Russia won the bronze in beating Argentina 77-72.

It was a tough tournament for Australia, as we beat the Silver and Bronze medallists, and also the team that finished 4th.

Final placings for the top 8:

1. Lithuania (Gold)
2. Serbia (Silver)
3. Russia (Bronze)
4. Argentina
5. USA
6. Australia
7. Poland
8. Croatia

MVP: Jonas VALANCIUNAS (Lithuania)

All Star 5

PG: Aleksandar CVETKOVIC (Serbia)
SG: Hugh GREENWOOD (Australia)
SG: Dmitry KULAGIN (Russia)
SF: Jeremy LAMB (USA)
C: Jonas VALANCIUNAS (Lithuania)

Good to see Greenwood get in the All star 5, Drmic's hot shooting cooled off and Greenwood got better and better after an early ankle injury scare.

Great effort by the guys. They might have finished sixth but their performances showed they were as good as the best teams there. Also excellent effort by Greenwood (and Lamb), generally players from outside the top four teams dont make the All Star Five.

New Mexico: Greenwood Named First Team All-u-19

Yahoo Sports: Five breakout college performers at U19 World Championships

Greenwood ranked #1 & Drmic ranked #3!