Asian Games 2010 -Format change?

According to SBP executive director Noli Eala, the format will likely change. Though Kuwait has not officially told FIBA-Asia, all signs point to their withdrawal. The format is said to be as such:
7 "unseeded" teams will be split into groups of 3 and 4...the group is a round robin...top 2 teams in each group advance to the next stage. See article here:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...bCategoryId=69
Personally, I think both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have withdrawn due to the fact that they would travel all the way to Guangzhou to play one game and most likely be done. The costs and the value of going wouldn't be worth it. I can understand the possible frustrations of KSA and KUW since they are below average sides going up against a team arguably one of the top 6 or 7 in Asia and they have a very slim hope of playing after that game. Perhaps the organizing committee could have made an effort to put a classification tournament together for the losers of the qualifying round, in order to give the losing nations a chance to play and get the Asian Games experience.

I also think that the format is unfair for the nonseeded teams. They are forced to play at least 1 or 2 more games than originally scheduled. This not only gives the "seeded' squads a chance to scout possible opponents but it also adds fatigue. Any team that progresses will already have 2 or 3 games under their belt in under a week plus 4 more games in the preliminary round robin plus any games in the knockout stage.

GAGOC has done a poor job so far organizing the tournament and releasing any relevant information. I think that a classification tournament for losing sides in the first roun would've been great incentive to enter and see how tey compare and play. In terms of information, it took  long time just to find out the original 19 teams that entered and now, any information regarding the change in formats an withdrawals of teams has come from SBP's Noli Eala, not GAGOC or FIBA-Asia. Overall, very disappointed and so far the tournament is off to a bad start, and we haven't even played a game.

Asian Games 2010 -Kuwait withdrawn?

According to a memeber on the InterBasket forums (Butata), Noli Eala stated in an on-air radio interview that Kuwait has also withdrawn from the men's basketball tournament and Smart Gilas might be forced to play more qualification games before entering the preliminary round. 7 unseeded teams now remain: North Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, India, and Afghanistan. Details to follow when released.

Asian Games 2010 -Kuwait capsule

Kuwait

Last major tournament:  11^th out of 16 at FIBA Asia 2009 (2-6)

Key Players: SF/PF Mohammad Ashkanani (6’4, 185), F Rashed Al Rabah (6’2 ½, 191), G Shayee Saeed (5’11, 189)  

Head Coach: Zoran Kreokovic

Review: Kuwait was 2-6 at FIBA Asia ‘09, right about where they belong…beat an average Uzbekistan 69-64 and sub-par UAE 65-61...tallest player was 6'7 ½, 176 PF/C Mohammad Al Mutairi and he wasn't a starter (granted not all heights were found)...their biggest players only weighed in at 194… They kept offense on the perimeter…Kuwait didn’t shoot a high percentage (39.2% in FIBA Asia ’09 ranked 13^th out of 16)...and their 3pt shooting ranked 14^th…assist-turnover ratio was a pitiful 0.54:1 which T11th…T13th in assists per game…rebounding ranked 14^th…blocked shots 13th

Outlook: Kuwait might give the Philippines a challenge for a half but this is not a very talented team. They are short in height and lacking in weight. Also they are young as the core is between the ages of 23-21. They want to keep the offense on the perimeter but they are not sharpshooters and ballhandling is suspect so it will be difficult for them to score consistently. Kuwait will be out on the break when they can where their lack of size and poor shooting won’t affect them. In the half court, Kuwait seems disciplined, make decent cuts and will run the shot clock down looking for a good midrage-perimeter shot. There is no defense in the post, people will get open due to lapses and lack of communication leaving good shooters open. Kuwait is agressive with screen and rolls so spacing and good shooting is key. Mohammad Ashkanani was their leading scorer at just under 15 points a game and leading rebounder at 7 rebounds per game. Also had most free throws made and attempted, fouls, and turnovers. He is the number one threat on offense. He won't shoot threes but he's got a midrange game and is he closest you'll get at a post player. Rashed Al Rabah is their best guard. He isn't a good outside shooter (2/16 3pt) but overall is a 42% clip, most of it on layups and drives. Guard Shayee Saeed is the team's designated three point shooter but at 12/51 (23.5%), he won't present much of a threat if you get a hand on him. 

Prediction: L to Philippines by 19

Asian Games 2010 -Saudi Arabia withdraw from men's tournament

 Preliminary reports say Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from the fray. Kuwait has been redrawn into Group B. The groups as of now look as such:

Group A
Hong Kong
North Korea

Group B
Philippines (Smart Gilas Pilipinas)
Kuwait


Group C
Turkmenistan
Mongolia

Group D
India
Afghanistan

Kuwait is high tempo squad that likes the perimeter shots. They may lack big size in the post but this doesn't mean they won't be physical. Gilas should pound it inside and play physica defense. Expect an intense match. Also adding to the intrigue is the fact that two warm up matches were previously scheduled agaisnt Kuwait but it is unknown whether these matches will still be played. Kuwait will present a tough test for Gilas and even though opponents will be able to scout them, the team will be warmed up and have a game under their belts when they hit the preliminary stage.

Asian Games 2010 -Noli Eala

According to Noli Eala's twitter, here is what Smart Gilas' schedule will look like:
11/13- Saudi Arabia
Assuming they beat Saudi (although there is rumor they will withdraw which could lead to several plans which I don't know of and will not explain)
11/16- Iran
11/17- Qatar
11/19- Japan
11/21- winner of Afghanistan/India
11/22- Chinese Taipei

Asian Games 2010

So in 2 weeks time or so, the Asian Games will open and the race for Asian basketbal supremacy will take hold.
Here are the qualification matches scheduled so far (note that I have read rumors that this may change due to withdrawal of Saudi Arabia)

Group A
Hong Kong
Kuwait
North Korea

Group B
Philippines
Saudi Arabia

Group C
Mongolia
Turkmenistan

Group D
Afghanistan
India

And the preliminary round:
Group E
China
Jordan
South Korea
Uzbekistan
A1
C1

Group F
Chinese Taipei
Iran
Japan
Qatar
B1
D1

Schedule hopefully to be released soon.