Oceania series should be great viewing.

I agree with you Mystro, NZ went 5-4 on their tour but could easily have been 8-1 if they had closed out the close games that they were in a position to win. I guess the question is have they learned from that for Oceania or are they a bit spooked in tight games now?

Penney was held to quite low numbers (by his standards) in all of those games. Great that they didn't get blown out but disappointing that they had a chance at a top scalp and let it slip. Closing tight games out is what separates an average team from a great one. The Tallblacks have played quite a few games together now and especially considering most of the team played together @ the Breakers, team chemistry must be whats keeping them in these tight games against top opposition.

Losing Pero Cameron is a big hole (literally and figuratively!) to fill in terms of poise though. In practice games Vucinic seems to have some nights where he runs a lot for Penney ala a meaningful game, but quite a few others where they practice their counters to that for most of the night.

They will have plenty up their sleeve, but I think the defensive ability of Abercrombie on Newley and Pledger on Maric and Ogilvy will go a long way to deciding their fate. If those two get in foul trouble it's good night nurse.

I would also add that Turkey finished 2nd last year courtesy of their home court advantage, I would rate them as a team at the level of Croatia, Slovenia, Australia, Brazil, Serbia etc rather than one of the absolute powers of world basketball.

WC's they also had the services of Hidayet Türko?lu. Turkey are currently ranked at 6th in the World compared to Australia at 9th and New Zealand at 18th.

I agree that they are not the USA, Argentina or Spain but still a very strong Basketball nation especially compared to NZ Paul.

Agreed, like I said they are in the second tier for sure, and on individual talent and size well ahead of NZ. But the Tall Blacks keep being competitive with good teams like this so my expectations of them have gone up somewhat.

Not disputing that getting so close to Turkey in Turkey is a strong performance though.

"I would rate them as a team at the level of Croatia, Slovenia, Australia, Brazil, Serbia etc rather than one of the absolute powers of world basketball. "


I think Turkey are on a tier above all these teams. Turkey is a very talented team; last years WC's was their first opportunity in a while to put in their best team. When they put in their best team, they are well and truly better than Australia, Brazil, Croatia etc. The reason why their ranking is 6 is because often in the past they have sent their B Teams to EuroBasket and FIBA sanctioned events.

There's no way Australia is on the level of Turkey. If you say that and your adamant that Turkey got as far as they did because of home court advantage, then that must mean Australia would perform similarly if the WC's were down-under. However, I can't see the Boomers coming second in a WC event anytime soon, even if they had home court advantage or not.

No it doesnt Macdub, for starters Australia would never get close to the home court Turkey enjoyed. Check Turkey's long term results, they are good but not great.

They have a lot of middle of the road pros in their team.