On paper Nigeria might be stronger?

Games aren played on paper. I look more to what the teams as a group have proven they can do. Australia has been around, has a lot of high IQ players, has a great defensive system. Whereas Nigeria is athletic, might trouble us inside, but if their 3 point shot isnt dropping they're going to be pretty easy to contain because they looked poor in their last two warm up games.

It's a danger game and it is one the Boomers can potentially lose but for me, Boomers by 7.

Didn't say they were ME.

Quick props to Scott Beker from Newcastle reffing the opening game of the tournament. Congrats Scott.

Boomers by less than 10.

What I like about this particular team is their low-key but determined approach, which has kept the media fairly quiet and sensible on the medal front.

"What's the pass mark v Nigeria ?"

IMO, we should give them a belting!

No doubt there's talent, skill and athleticism in bucket loads. But is there ANY will to win?

These guys (and girls) have been recruited to play for a country, it seems, that most know very little about. No, "Burning desire to play for 'your' country".

I am thinking it's a bit of post-season, paid-for, fun for the Nigeriyanks teams.

RobT I think you're jumping to conclusions there. Just because they might have sketchy, if any, connection to Nigeria, that doesn't mean they're coming in there not looking to medal. I mean what kind of connection do NBA players REALLY have to the cities they play for? They just go where they're paid to go for the most part. Lebron James cared so deeply about his hometown of Cleveland that he left TWICE when it became inconvenient for him. I wouldn't be judging this team on that alone.

This is going to be a tough game and make no mistake - it is a danger game. if we drop this game we have an uphill battle to the medals. Instead of crossing over against someone like Slovenia or Argentina you're looking at USA, France or Spain. I wouldn't be coming into this game thinking it would be easy and I am sure the Boomers know that what they saw in the exhibition wasnt a real reflection of that team.

Australia by 7 but I am very wary.

You're more than likely right. They did get to the final dance, after all.

Italy v Germany is just a 3 ball battle at present. Germany 7/10 in the first Q.

I dont rate either Germany or Italy. Germany is garbage and Italy is too small and unathletic. I think australia v Nigeria tonight will decide the pool. I really cant imagine either of those other teams beating us.

Regarding Italy, I'd like to see a few minutes of Nico Mannion vs Josh Green. Potential for some fireworks.

Argentina are usually great at these tournaments and made the World Cup final. Slovenia have Doncic and some other very good players. Not convinced they're easier than France. Argentina beat France in the World Cup semi, for example.

Don't underestimate Italy or Germany

Italy are too small and unathletic to get near the Boomers. I'm expecting our bigs to dominate again, Baynes Landale and Reath have pulverised everyone so far and will dominate those chumps Melli and Gallinari. Delly and Ingles will be out-leaping Tonut, Fontecchio and co. It'll be slow, hal-court, low post grind fought out in the paint. It wont be boring, as there will be highlight reel fast aerial fast break aerial dunks from our Uber athletic veteran Aussie wings. Can't wait to tune in and watch the Aussie's pound those slow, small Italians by 40.