POLL: what would be the most surprising outcome of this WC?

[Federoy]

Tunisia or the others making the top 10 wins for me. Bad luck happens sometimes, but to make the top 10, you not only have to get out of your group you have to have a good elimination round.

Stranger things have happend. Though it's highly unlikely that Tunisia, Jordan, or Ivory Coast will make the top 10, the WC brings out the best (and worst) in teams. Nigeria was one point away from upsetting Germany and making it into the quarterfinals in 2006, and who would have thought New Zealand would've finished 4th in 2002? Cinderella is just waiting to put on that slipper.

Lithuania don't generally have great World Championships, and had a pathetic Eurobasket last year. It'd be a shock, but this team isn't their best.

Yes, its possible they won't advance, but I have a hard time believing they can't beat the likes of Lebanon, Canada, New Zealand, and France (especially after watching their pitiful display in NYC) to move forward. For what it's worth, their A team has a 6-1 exhibition record, losing only to Spain, so they certainly have some talent left in the cupboard.

US losing by 20. They've been blown about before (usnt). Durant goes stone cold, and jumpers just not falling. A team like Spain could light them up.

The US would have to have a monumental collapse to get beat by that margin. The 2004 Puerto Rico massacre was a perfect storm: Young, inexperience, incohesive team with a mixed bag of players that didn't compliment each other going up against a veteren squad with a slick backcourt. I'd like to think this new batch of players are better versed then their 2004 counterparts. Actually, I believe their upcoming "friendly" against Spain sets the stage for a potential blowout more so than any match during the tournament.

Greece giving up 100 points. To get gold they have to either go through Spain, or the US. Both teams can't put up huge points, so it's certainly possible.

Greece's defense is a tough nut to crack. Even with all the offensive weapons the '08 US squad had, Greece still held them to under 100. Greece almost NEVER gives up 100, so either Spain or the US would have to shoot 70% from the field and knock down a dozen or more 3s to break them. But I agree, it's possible, even if it's a remote possibility.

Spain not winning a medal. Upsets happen, and we saw last year sometimes Spain starts slow (Great Britain game). All this means is someone caught them napping in the round of 16 or 8.

I would be VERY VERY surprised if Spain doesn't win a medal. In what is a relatively weak WC field, to not medal after they have clearly established themselves as being one of the best teams on the planet would be a considerable shock. This team has the talent to repeat as WC, so anything less than a medal of any type would be major step back.

[CKR13]

The host Turkey on the Semi-Finals.

[Alvertis4]

Spain not winning a medal for me. Though it won't be that surprising given that they probably face the Americans in the semis and might lose the 3rd place game as well(maybe Greece/Serbia/Slovenia/other)

Voted that as Spain has been, medal-wise, the most successful team in the last 4 years

[Adon]

The most surprising outcome?
WBC Final :Tunisia-Jordan

My vote:Greece allowing +100 points in one or more games

[CG]

for me even if i vote USA to lose by 20
will be if Turkey cant make it to top 8

[usausa]

For me, suprising to me would be France getting to the knockout, Turkey not making it, and an African team making it to the knockout stages. No offense intended, just an honest opinion.

[Dtown]

Tunisia or the others making the top 10 wins for me. Bad luck happens sometimes, but to make the top 10, you not only have to get out of your group you have to have a good elimination round.

Lithuania don't generally have great World Championships, and had a pathetic Eurobasket last year. It'd be a shock, but this team isn't their best.

US losing by 20. They've been blown about before (usnt). Durant goes stone cold, and jumpers just not falling. A team like Spain could light them up.

Greece giving up 100 points. To get gold they have to either go through Spain, or the US. Both teams can't put up huge points, so it's certainly possible.

Spain not winning a medal. Upsets happen, and we saw last year sometimes Spain starts slow (Great Britain game). All this means is someone caught them napping in the round of 16 or 8.

[Federoy]

What would be the most surprising outcome of this tournament?