WUHAN (China) - Argentina and Russia sound like the biggest names in Group B, but they will not yet book their tickets from Wuhan to Foshan and the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. Nigeria and Korea are also here and may fancy their chances of going deep in this event.

With injuries slowing down Russia's progress, and Nigeria looking more impressive than ever in their training camp, seems like the two could be in the battle for the second spot in the group behind presumed front-runners from South America. But that doesn't mean Argentina are safe and sound, nor that Korea are without a chance in Wuhan.

Team to beat: Argentina

Winners of the inaugural FIBA Basketball World Cup in 1950 are looking strong again and eyeing more silverware in China, with three podium finishes already next to their name. In addition to winning the first event ever, they also finished second in 2002, and with a pair of Olympic medals also arriving in the 2000s, Argentina are a certified juggernaut in the basketball world.

They warmed up for China by winning the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the prospect of having Spanish Liga Endesa MVP Nicolas Laprovittola together with Spanish Liga Endesa Finals MVP Facundo Campazzo makes Argentina a fan favorite for neutrals in Wuhan. Luis Scola is still unstoppable, Nicolas Brussino, Luca Vildoza and Gabriel Deck suggest that the role players will also be on a high level for Coach Sergio Hernandez.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	ZONE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
5.	Argentina	2.	ARG	626.5
10.	Russia	8.	RUS	525.3
32.	Korea	5.	KOR	300.0
33.	Nigeria	1.	NGR	296.0

Key matchup: Argentina v Russia

Even though Russia and Nigeria could've gotten the nod in this part of the preview, the historical component of Argentina and Russia is too big to be ignored. In fact, in four of their five matchups in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympics, the winner of Argentina v Russia ended up on the podium!

In 1994 in Toronto, Russia defeated Argentina 84-64 and went on to register a runner-up finish. In 2002 in Indianapolis, Argentina won the duel 100-81 and register a runner-up finish. In 2008 in Beijing, Argentina won 91-79 and finished third. In 2012 in London, Russia won the Third-Place Game 81-77 to take home the bronze.

The only game they played with nobody picking up a medal at the end of the summit was the one in Istanbul in 2010. At the FIBA Basketball World Cup nine years ago, Argentina won the Classification Game 5-8 73-61.

Click here for the full schedule of Group B.

Star: Facundo Campazzo (Argentina)

Real Madrid's point guard is a lively character, both on and off the court. Campazzo started his career with Penarol in Argentina, picking up four Argentine League titles and two Finals MVP awards, before making the trip to Europe in 2014.

But the early years in Real Madrid were hard for the floor general, and a two-year loan to UCAM Murcia was the solution to get him back to his best. He returned to Madrid in 2017, and nowadays it is hard to imagine Real playing without the Argentine magician running the show.

Don't blink when he's coming up the floor with the ball in his hands in an Argentine shirt, either. Campazzo will be one of the candidates to pick up the most assists in China, and expect most of them to be spectacular no-looks or bullet passes that somehow find their way to his teammates.

Campazzo turned 28 in March - the best age to add some international silverware with El Alma Argentina to his trophy cabinet.

Top prospect: Josh Okogie (Nigeria)

The 20th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Josh Okogie is set to make his official debut for the Nigerian national team. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard had to wait for all the paperwork to be done this summer, because he had represented the USA at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2017, averaging 4.6 points and rebounds per game.

But Okogie, who will turn 21 on the second day of competition in China, is now back with his homeland, as he was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His defensive presence will make life difficult for Argentina, Korea and Russia, but that doesn't mean he cannot score in bunches at the other end. In fact, Okogie averaged 16.9 points per game in his two Georgia Tech seasons, and had 7.7 points each night for the Timberwolves in his rookie season in the NBA.

This event could help him grow in confidence as Nigeria have their sights set on being the best African team, not only in China, but also in the history of competition. Egypt were fifth in 1950 and that's the mark Okogie and teammates are chasing.

Familiar face: Luis Scola (Argentina)

Death, taxes and - Luis Scola playing for the national team. Those are the three certainties of life. The perpetuum mobile is still active, no signs of slowing down either, and at the age of 39 he will play his fifth FIBA Basketball World Cup, looking for more international glory after winning silver in his debut in 2002.

Scola will be the man in the middle for Argentina's loaded backcourt and talented wing options. Five years ago he finished fifth in scoring, trailing only JJ Barea, Bojan Bogdanovic, Andray Blatche and Pau Gasol, and the fact that he had 19.5 points per game at the age of 34 speaks volumes for his stamina.

Scola will also have homecourt advantage in China. He played for Shanxi Brave Dragons in 2017-18, then moved to Shanghai Sharks on club level.

FIBA