Olympic Men's Basketball Predictions

With the Olympics officially starting today I thought it would be proper to do a post on something about it.

Predicted Order of Finish
Group A
1. Argentina
2. Lithuania
3. Australia
4. Russia
5. Croatia
6. Iran

Argentina is just too much to handle with 4 NBA stars in Manu Ginobli, Luis Scola, Fabricio Oberto, and Andres Nocionoi. The Argentines have the size and shooting ability to beat anybody. I think they have too much firepower to be beaten in group play. Lithuania and Australia could both give them a run for their money though, but both should be vying for second place.

Group B
1, United States
2. Spain
3. Greece
4. Germany
5. China
6. Angola

The USA will come out of Group B undefeated. This is their year, they finally have the chemistry, better overall talent, and shooting to get it done. Spain could give them fits with their zone defense and size but I think USA will come out on top with their athleticism and skill. Greece could also pull off some upsets after stunning the USA in 2004.

Quarterfinals:
Spain over Australia
Argentina over Germany
Lithuania over Greece
United States over Russia

Semifinals:
Spain over Argentina
United States over Lithuania

Finals:
Gold: United States over Spain
Bronze: Argentina over Lithuania


In the end I really do think the United States will get it done. This is their year to bring gold back to the states. The tandem of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard will not be stopped. U.S. Basketball is starting to look like its old self again. Mike Krzyzewski has put together a team that knows how to play true fundamental basketball. They finally have the talent, firepower, team play, defense, and shooting to get it done. The talent is there and now they finally have all the keys. The USA team will bring gold back to America for the first time since 2000.

USA Olympic Team Thoughts

Since the roster for the USA Olympic Basketball team came out on Monday, I would like to give a few thoughts.

Overall, it looks like a very talented and great squad. We all saw how they blew out the competition at the America's Tournament so things are looking great for the Olympics later this summer.

I think they can and definitely will win the gold. I don't see why not. They should be the favorites and I have a feeling they will get U.S. basketball back to the top.

It's good to see Kobe Bryant on the team. We've needed him the last several years, a star player who can get it done and score some points, plus he is a true leader. He can keep the younger guys together and if they are struggling on the offensive end he is talented enough to get them over the hump.

It's good and all to see a veteran PG on the team. Jason Kidd may be out of his prime but this team needs his experience at the PG position. He is a tremendous passer and they need a veteran like him, especially at the PG position. Chris Paul and Deron Williams will be excellent backups at PG with their youth and overall talent. I don't think any opposing team can match up with the PG depth of the United States'.

I find it kind of puzzling that they took Tayshaun Prince over Tyson Chandler. They are lacking in size and at the international level you need depth and defense down low. I can see if they had plenty of big men but that's not the case. Prince won't be able to match up with strong PF's. They only have Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, and Carlos Boozer. They need another big man for down low; the international big men play pretty physical and Prince isn't going to solve that problem.

But overall, I like the talent and make up of this team. They should be the favorite and I think they will pull off their first gold medal since 2000.

Adding to a Rivalry

We all know UNC-Duke basketball is one of the greatest rivalries in sports, and the greatest in College Basketball. UNC coach Roy Williams and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had a war of words on Monday, already adding to an intense rivalry.

Coach K had something to say (love the rhyme?) about the Tar Heels, taking an unnecessary jab at their injury problems, saying that Duke doesn't discuss injuries "unlike other schools."

Williams had something to say about that on his radio show Monday. "Well, it's not, and regardless of what somebody else says about them having injuries too, which is a bunch of bunk, so I don't give a [crap] what somebody else says. They can coach their own darn team and I'll coach my team — in case anyone had heard some statements about that."

Williams had more to say on Wednesday after being questioned by the media: "Well, it struck a nerve because I don't — if you guys would leave me alone, I wouldn't tell you anything," he said. "It's not like I'm getting a dadgum plane and flying it around and saying, Roy fell against a wall and banged his nose.' We have to do those things. And everybody's hurt, but there's different stages of being hurt. If you're hurt and missing games, I mean that's not exactly like having a hangnail. And so we do have some people that are getting hurt and missing games, and I don't think that somebody should say we're putting it in front of the public."

Whether you're a Duke or UNC lover or hater, we all love the rivalry and nothing is better than making it that much more intense, so I'd like to show some videos on this intense rivalry as we await their next meeting on March 8th.

"The Rivalry"



2005 Duke vs. UNC. UNC comeback



We all remember this one...



1998 Duke vs. UNC #1 vs. #2