| WNBA.com 2004 OLYMPIC POWER RANKINGS: Week 1 | |||||
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COUNTRY
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REC.
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NOTES
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| 1 |
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3-0 | The United States has dominated
its three opponents thus far with stifling defense, inside scoring and rebounding.
Both the starters and the second wave off the bench have sparked demoralizing
runs to put opponents away early on. All of this, and the U.S. has not even shot
the ball tremendously well from 3-point range. But Katie Smith is on the mend
and the Americans could be ready to take it to another level. Upcoming: vs. Spain, vs. China |
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| 2 |
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3-0 | Aside from the U.S., no team is as big, as
strong or as deep as the Australians. With six WNBA players, including 2003
MVP Lauren Jackson, they have outscored opponents by an average of 16.7
ppg and Jackson leads all scorers over the first three games with 24.3 ppg.
Brazil could prove a challenge for Australia in the final game of the preliminary
round, but all signs point to a U.S.-Australia rematch at this stage. Upcoming: vs. Greece, vs. Brazil |
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| 3 |
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3-0 | Spain has been the surprise
of the tournament thus far, starting off with upset victories over the Czech
Republic and China. Spain has been led by Amaya Valdemoro, whose 18.0 ppg.
is currently sixth among all female Olympians. A showdown with the fellow
Pool B leader United States awaits on Friday, but regardless of the results,
Spain is already in prime position to qualify for the quarterfinals. Upcoming: vs. USA, vs. South Korea |
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| 4 |
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2-1 | The Russian women have held
form thus far, beating Greece rather easily in their opener, losing to Australia
in their second game, and beating Brazil in a critical contest on Wednesday.
While both Russia and Brazil will likely qualify for the quarterfinals along
with Australia, beating the Brazilians could ensure them the second seed.
Led by longtime veteran and Liberty center Elena Baranova, both
Maria Stepanova and Anna Arkhipova have also helped the Russians find success
thus far. Upcoming: vs. Japan, vs. Nigeria |
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| 5 |
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2-1 | Brazil looked most impressive in its opening
two games, victories over Japan and Greece. However, in its first legitimate
test, Brazil fell to Russia and still has Australia on the horizon. Former
and perhaps future Houston Comet star Janeth Arcain has been carrying a
huge load for Brazil and got little offensive support from her teammates
in the loss to Russia. However, once the elimination rounds begin, Brazil
is more than capable of making a medal run. Upcoming: vs. Nigeria, vs. Australia |
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| 6 |
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1-2 | The Czech Republic came into the Olympics with
legitimate medal aspirations, but find themselves in a precarious position
with two must-win games coming up. After starting 0-2, four players scored
in double figures as the Czechs rebounded on Wednesday to beat China by
15 points. Think they might be re-thinking their decision not to invite
Seattle's Kamila Vodichkiva? Perhaps, but the Czechs should still advance. Upcoming: vs. South Korea, vs. New Zealand |
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| 7 |
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1-2 | Since China's opening game
win over South Korea, not much has gone right. In the losses to Spain and
the Czechs, China has been badly outrebounded and unable to score consistently
on the inside. Nan Chen has been the only credible scorer for the Chinese,
but the lack of a reliable second and third scorer has plagued China down
the stretch. The upcoming game against New Zealand could decide whether China stays in the red of advances from Group B. Upcoming: vs. New Zealand, vs. USA |
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| 8 |
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1-2 | Along with Greece, Japan is fighting for fourth
place in the more difficult Group A and it could come down to the final
preliminary game between the two countries on Sunday. Japan lacks the size to compete with Russia and lost badly to Brazil and Australia, the two
strongest teams in the group, but did what it needed to against Nigeria. Upcoming: vs. Russia, vs. Greece |
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| 9 |
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1-2 | The Tall Ferns got off to
a tough start in losing to the United States by roughly 50 points, but they
were able to rebound nicely and take out South Korea in their next game. With a win against China, New Zealand could put itself in position to clinch the fourth
seed in Pool B, as their path is slightly easier than China (who still must
play the U.S). Now could be a good time to mention that in te event of a
tie, it comes down to head-to-head matchups and point differential. Upcoming: vs. China, vs. Czech Republic |
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| 10 |
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1-2 | After dropping their opening two games to Russia
and Brazil, the host nation finally gave its fans something to cheer about
on Wednesday. Anastasi Kostaki scored 25 points and Evanthia Maltsi talled
24 points in an 83-68 victory over Nigeria. Greece can still qualify for
the quarterfinals, but is not expected to threatan the group's top three
teams. Upcoming: vs. Australia, vs. Japan |
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| 11 |
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0-3 | In its three games, former
Houston Comets forward Mfon Udoka has been a force for Nigeria, including
28 points and 18 rebounds in Wednesday's loss to Greece. Unforunately for
the Nigerians, no other player has stepped up to provide assistance for
Udoka. The Nigerians have been all but eliminated from advancing to the
elimination rounds Upcoming: vs. Brazil, vs. Russia |
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| 12 |
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0-3 | Despite entering the Olympics as the No. 6
ranked team in the world by FIBA, South Korea has dropped its first three
games and is in jeopardy of finishing the tournament without a win. Yeong
Ok Kim has kept the Koreans in games with her 3-point shooting, but they
have been overpowered inside by their opponents. Upcoming: vs. Czech Republic, vs. Spain |
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