Olympic Notes: Redd versus Bogut

by Alex Boeder on Aug 19, 2008 1:10 PM CDT in Daily Notes Comment 4 comments

In a showdown of the two highest-scoring teams, Team USA play Australia at 7:00 a.m. central time on Wednesday morning. You can watch the quarterfinal matchup live on USA. If you can't catch the game live, take a little trip to NBCOlympics.com, which offers full replays of events. One Buck will march on to face the winner of Argentina/Greece, one won't.
Australia, sans Andrew Bogut, gave the currently assembled Team USA its most difficult game, on August 5 in a pre-Olympic match. The Americans pulled out an 87-76 (recap/quotes) victory, but were outscored 47-43 in the second half.
Michael Redd and Team USA are coming off a dominating 106-57 (recap/quotes) win over Germany in the team's final game of group play. Team USA stands as the only undefeated team after five games.
Meanwhile, Australia was perhaps even more impressive in crushing previously undefeated Lithuania. Charlie recaps the 106-75 victory in which Bogut led the charge with 23 points.

Bogut's revived jumper has done wonders in opening the offense up for both he and his teammates. Instead of receiving a pass at the top of the key, and holding the ball in hopes of finding a cutter, Bogut is going into instant attack mode. He can either pull up for a three if no one's on him, and when he guarded on the perimeter he's used various shot fakes to drive all the way to the basket, where he's been able to do things like this.
Sure, Team USA is firing on all cylinders, but Australia is getting hot at the right time too. Prior to beating Lithuania, they handily defeated reigning European champions, Russia, 95-80.
Luke McIlveen of The Australian reports on Australia's preparation for Team USA.
The Australian also has a video interview with Andrew Bogut following the team's latest win.
USA Basketball's Team USA/Australia preview includes quotes from Tony Ronzone, American Director of Player Personnel.
ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan warns that Australia is the team's toughest challenger thus far.
X's & O's of Basketball offers excellent analysis of Australia's offense.
SI.com's Alexander Wolff evaluates each Team USA player following pool play.
Wolff also breaks down Team USA/Australia rematch and predicts winners for the all the games.
In FanNation, Bryan Armen Graham adds quarterfinal predictions.
A Stern Warning 's Team USA/Australia preview reveals keys to victory for each team.
Numbers, live from Beijing: Michael Redd is averaging 4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 28.6 % shooting from the field and 25.0 % on three-pointers. He's playing 11.6 minutes per game. Andrew Bogut is averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 61.7 % shooting from the field and 71.4 % on three-pointers. He's playing 21.4 minutes per game. Yes, Bogut is 5-7 from outside. And yes, that's four more three-pointers than he's made in his career with the Bucks.

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I have no idea how Dwight Howard plans to guard Bogut. He’ll foul out in 5 minutes.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Aug 19, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aren’t you glad you won the lottery in 2004 and not 2005?

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Aug 20, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Boomers

Am hoping for an upset, but downunder the Aussies are $1.85 at 30+ surely we can cover that! Think they need to start a fight, maybe get Matty Neilson or Mark Worthington to annoy Le Bron – get him start throwing haymakers, get kicked out. Maybe Melo might try be a tough guy too and get tossed, that might help. Am looking forward to Mills, hope he performs like he did in the warm-up. And of course, the Bogey-man to continue his hot shooting. Go Boomers!!!

by Snoopwogg on Aug 20, 2008 2:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs