FIBA Round of 16 preview: Spain heads strong Madrid bracket
The group stage of the FIBA World Cup is over and the top 16 teams have advanced to the single-elimination bracket. Spain leads the way in the Madrid-based half of the bracket. Tap here for a preview of the Barcelona bracket.
France (3-2) vs. Croatia (3-2), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET
This will be a stylistic matchup, as a low-scoring French squad will run into Croatia's shooting buzzsaw.
Bojan Bogdanovic has led the way for a team that has shown no hesitation to launch outside shots. Eight members of the team averaged two or more three-point attempts per game, leading a barrage that can pile up points in a hurry.
France does boast size on the wing, with Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, and Boris Diaw lurking. If they can limit the Croatians' perimeter attempts, they will put themselves in a favorable position to advance.
Spain (5-0) vs. Senegal (2-3), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
With all due respect to the United States, Spain is the country that looked toughest to stop in the group stage.
They allowed a tournament-low 62.8 points against, and did so while scoring 88 points per game. They boast a dominant frontcourt duo with Pau and Marc Gasol. When they decide to flip the switch defensively, they are able to trot out Serge Ibaka alongside Marc, leaving little room for opponents at the rim and on the glass.
Offensively, Pau has looked especially rejuvenated, scoring at a 61.9 percent clip from the field while gleefully taking three-pointers and enjoying the chemistry the Spanish program has built in the last decade.
Senegal was a feel-good story in the group stage, with 6-foot-11 center Gorgui Dieng posting 18 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. When Senegal faced Argentina - a team with a quality frontcourt - Dieng was neutralized, and the team lost by 35. Expect more of the same against Spain.
Serbia (2-3) vs. Greece (5-0), Sunday, 12 p.m. ET
A relatively unheralded Greece side calmly strolled through a solid Group B with a +65 plus-minus and a 5-0 record.
Serbia will be in tough to advance past a Greek side that oozes with chemistry and experience. The Serbs picked up their two group stage wins against Egypt and Iran, while Greece battled Croatia, Argentina, Senegal and Puerto Rico. The higher quality of group stage competition puts Greece in the driver's seat to continue rolling.
Brazil (4-1) vs. Argentina (3-2), Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
Easily the marquee game of the round of 16, these teams are as evenly matched as any two in the stage. Just 0.8 points separate Brazil and Argentina on a per-game basis, and the matching styles should make for a beautiful matchup.
Both squads are built around NBA-level frontcourt pieces. Nene, Tiago Splitter, and Anderson Varejao have patrolled the paint for the Brazilians, while Luis Scola, Walter Herrmann and Andres Nocioni have handled business for the Argentinians.
Brazil's defensive effort was superior through the group stage, and if they can get stops, the full-speed skill of leading scorer Leandrinho Barbosa could be the difference.