MIES (Switzerland) - Group B remains one of the most intriguing races in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Group B
# | TEAM | GP | W | L | For | Agt | +/- | Points |
1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 328 | 296 | 32 | 7 | |
2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 307 | 307 | 0 | 6 | |
3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 339 | 343 | -4 | 6 | |
4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 307 | 335 | -28 | 5 |
Japan currently sit atop the standings at 3-1, while Korea and China are tied at 2-2 and Chinese Taipei remain alive despite their 1-3 record.With only two games remaining for each team, every possession could prove decisive.
Here's why all four teams still have a path to the Second Round.
Playmaking make Japan the team to beat
Japan enter Window 3 in the driver's seat and could punch their ticket to the Second Round as early as Friday. They will qualify if they defeat China or if Korea beat Chinese Taipei.
It's easy to see why the Akatsuki Japan are in such a strong position. The core of Yuta Watanabe, Josh Hawkinson, Yudai Baba and Keisei Tominaga gives them arguably the deepest and most balanced roster in Group B.
Hawkinson has once again been the engine of the team, averaging 17.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during the Qualifiers.
But it's their trademark ball movement that has given them an advantage so far in these Qualifiers.
Passing statistics among teams in Group B
Teams | AST | APG | AST/TO |
81 | 20.3 | 1.6 | |
71 | 17.8 | 1.3 | |
69 | 17.3 | 1.4 | |
60 | 15 | 1.2 |
Among the teams in Group B, Japan have a clear lead in assists. This notes how well the team shares the ball and is a product of their fast-paced style of play.
Even if results do not go their way on Friday, Japan will not be eliminated and will still control their own destiny heading into the final game day.
Shooting will keep Korea in the race
The equation is simple for Korea: beat Chinese Taipei and they are through to the Second Round.
Led by some key veterans, Korea possess the experience and continuity that often prove decisive in FIBA competition. Their offense can be particularly dangerous when their perimeter shooting gets going, and few teams in Asia can score in bunches quite like the Koreans.
The stats back this up as well.
Three-point shooting in Asian Qualifiers
# | Teams | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
1. | 41 | 105 | 39 | |
2. | 42 | 118 | 35.6 | |
3. | 31 | 93 | 33.3 | |
4. | 50 | 153 | 32.7 | |
5. | 49 | 151 | 32.5 | |
| 40 | 123 | 32.5 | |
7. | 26 | 81 | 32.1 | |
8. | 33 | 109 | 30.3 | |
9. | 28 | 95 | 29.5 | |
10. | 35 | 123 | 28.5 | |
11. | 27 | 99 | 27.3 | |
12. | 28 | 103 | 27.2 | |
13. | 29 | 109 | 26.6 | |
14. | 30 | 113 | 26.5 | |
15. | 32 | 121 | 26.4 | |
16. | 26 | 103 | 25.2 |
Korea are not only the best three-point shooting team in Group B - they are one of the best in the entire Asian Qualifiers. They are one of only four teams to average over 10 three-pointers game and only one of two teams knocking them down at a clip higher than 35 percent.
Even if they do not secure qualification on Friday, Korea will have another opportunity to finish the job on the final game day.
Size and emerging talents could power China's surge
China's route to early qualification is the narrowest among the top three teams, but their upside may be the highest. To secure a place in the Second Round on Friday, China need two results: a victory over Japan and a Korean win over Chinese Taipei.
Few teams can match China's size and interior depth and that will continue to be their advantage here in Group B.
Over the past two windows, China's 12-player final roster in each of the four Gamedays were the tallest on average among all teams in the Asian Qualifiers.
Size is China's advantage and they are not afraid to use it.
If the likes of Yang Hansen and Hu Junqiu establish themselves in the paint, China can overwhelm opponents with their rebounding and scoring around the basket.
Like Japan and Korea, China cannot be eliminated on Friday, meaning their destiny remains firmly in their own hands.
Fearless Chinese Taipei always have a chance
Chinese Taipei may sit at the bottom of the standings, but they are not out of the race. The only scenario that eliminates them on Friday is a loss to Korea combined with a Chinese victory over Japan. Any other result keeps their hopes alive heading into the final game day.
And if there is one team capable of producing another surprise, it may be Chinese Taipei.
They already stunned Korea earlier in the Asian Qualifiers and have shown they can compete with anyone when their offense is firing. Veteran guard Ray Chen, along with Benson Lin and Justin Lu, gives Chinese Taipei plenty of scoring punch, while Brandon Gilbeck's presence inside has added toughness and rim protection.
Chinese Taipei's fearless approach make them one of the most dangerous underdogs in the competition. This is displayed in the result of how aggressive they attack the basket - a high number of free-throw attempts.
Free-throw attempts leaders in Asian Qualifiers
Rank | Team | FTM | FTA | FT% |
1 | 80 | 106 | 75.5 | |
2 | 79 | 98 | 80.6 | |
3 | 69 | 94 | 73.4 | |
4 | 65 | 94 | 69.1 | |
5 | 62 | 90 | 68.9 | |
6 | 64 | 86 | 74.4 | |
7 | 52 | 84 | 61.9 | |
8 | 62 | 81 | 76.5 | |
9 | 51 | 75 | 68 | |
10 | 57 | 74 | 77 | |
11 | 49 | 66 | 74.2 | |
12 | 41 | 64 | 64.1 | |
13 | 45 | 62 | 72.6 | |
14 | 36 | 52 | 69.2 | |
15 | 39 | 50 | 78 | |
16 | 35 | 49 | 71.4 |
China are the top standard in the Asian Qualifiers - mainly because of their size advantage as highlighted above, but Chinese Taipei are not far behind as one of four teams averaging over 22.5 free-throw attempts per game. It might help if they make their charity stripe attempts at a higher clip, but at least they are giving themselves the opportunity.
With their backs against the wall, nobody should expect this team to go down without a fight.
Three teams could celebrate qualification on Friday, but no team can afford to relax in what has become one of the most competitive groups in the Asian Qualifiers.
Japan have the stars and depth. Korea possess experience and shooting. China boast size and emerging talent. Chinese Taipei carry the momentum and belief of a dangerous underdog. With three tickets still up for grabs, Group B's race to the Second Round is set for a dramatic finish.
FIBA