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Kara Lawson nearly pays for holding Caitlin Clark and USA back
It was more of the same from the USA and that was barely enough. Kara Lawson once more went with her underperforming vets over the impressive trio of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. It nearly cost her team a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup final. Emmet Ryan says that, if […]
USA have too many stars and nobody in charge
Italy came oh so close to the greatest upset in the history of basketball at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 30.5 favourites USA looked utterly rudderless against an Italy team that came with organisation as well as belief. The way the USA is playing right now, is putting an unnecessary ceiling on their […]
Preview: USA vs Canada – 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
It’s the battle for bronze at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks seek lead Canada to victory over the USA. Who will recover from their semi-final defeat to finish with a win? Key details Who: USA (5-2) vs Canad (5-2) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: Sunday Septembner […]
Deutschland delivers: Germany outmuscle and outgun USA for victory
Every concern about USA Basketball came home to haunt them as Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner, and, especially, Daniel Theis, delivered to put Germany in the final of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup A shock before we even started I had picked Germany to win this game based on the USA being at full strength. […]
Preview: USA vs Germany – 2023 FIBA World Cup
It’s the final four of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The USA and Germany will do battle in Manila on Friday to see who progresses to Sunday’s final. Emmet Ryan breaks down the big match-ups and makes his prediction. Key details Who: USA (5-1) vs Germany (6-0) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: Friday […]
USA crush hapless Italy but learn little
The USA made light work of Italy in the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter final but don’t read too much into it. For all the hope of Luigi Datome bringing the magic, it was Jalen Brunson and the gang who took charge from the off. Paint and Paolo There was certainly some promise for the […]
Video Preview: Germany vs Latvia and Canada vs Slovenia
It’s quarter finals time at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and Emmet Ryan is here to recap the battle between Lithuania and Serbia plus the match-up of Italy and the USA. It’s also time to look ahead to the clashes of Germany vs Latvia plus the duel of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Luka Doncic as Canada […]
Preview: Italy vs USA – 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter final
The elite eight of basketball have been decided as the quarter finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup get under way. The second game sees Italy take on the USA. Key details Who: Italy (4-1) vs USA (4-1) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: 5 September at 20.40 Manila/14.40 Rome/13.40 London/8.40 New York How […]
A harsh lesson for the USA
The USA won against Montenegro but the problems in this roster and the style of play they have opted to play with were all too evident as the tiny nation gave them one hell of a game in Manila No efficiency from deep, no impact in the paint, and, quite simply, no half-court offence. The […]
Steve Kerr may regret not testing Kessler
It was another easy win for the USA as they took care of Jordan with ease at the 2023 FIBA World Cup but Emmet Ryan thinks Steve Kerr missed a golden opportunity to test his emergency option It’s not like the USA appear to need much help so far at this World Cup. Comfortable victories […]
USA coast past Greece but that may be a worry for the Americans
It felt like a glorified exhibition from early on and that’s bad news for the victors, writes Emmet Ryan. Austin Reaves may be beloved by the locals but cruise control in Manila isn’t ideal even if it lead to a comprehensive win over Greece Take your pick really. Staring down the interior D of the […]
Turkey’s heartbreak ends dire day for Europe in China
Turkey got as close as anyone possibly could to an upset for the ages but it just wasn’t enough and, Emmet Ryan writes, it was a gut punching end to a rough day for European teams at the 2019 FIBA World Cup In the summer of 2017, Sertaç Şanlı was meant to be dropping to […]