Team in focus - Senegal

DAKAR (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is just around the corner. In the lead-up to the biggest international basketball event, we take an individual look at all 24 teams.

Country: Senegal
FIBA bwin Ranking Men: No. 41
Last participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup: 2006 (0 wins, 5 defeats; 21st place)
Best result in the history of the FIBA Basketball World Cup: 14th Place (1978)
Result in qualifying tournament for 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup: 3rd place at AfroBasket 2013 (5 wins, 2 defeats)

There is an unpredictability about Senegal that makes the Africans dangerous for all of their Group B opponents in Sevilla at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

At times, the Senegalese can overcome the best teams in Africa, as was the case one year ago.

In the Quarter-Finals at the AfroBasket in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal surprised Nigeria, 64-63.

Nigeria had gone into the event after a hugely impressive 2012, a year which saw them knock off international powerhouse Greece at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to advance to the London Games.

But after their victory over the Nigerians at AfroBasket 2013, Senegal fell flat against Egypt and lost 70-63.

Next time out, however, and Senegal showed themselves once again to be a tough team to figure out.

Against hosts Cote d'Ivoire, a team that had thumped them 74-46 in the Group Stage of the AfroBasket, the Senegalese won, 57-56, to finish third and reach the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

One of the players who was an asset to the team was Saer Sene.

Having recovered from knee injuries suffered while playing for Spanish Liga Endesa side Fuenlabrada, Sene not only made the Senegal team but led it in rebounding with an average of 6.7 per game.

Injuries again plagued Sene in 2013-14, this time with Antibes in France.

Coach Cheikh Sarr had a good look at Sene in the preparations but decided to leave the big man out of the World Cup squad.

There is nevertheless plenty for Senegalese fans to be excited about.

Gorgui Dieng has made the roster after a productive first campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, one that saw the 2.11m center earn selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Sarr will expect the athletic Dieng to be a rim-protector.

Dieng can corral plenty of rebounds on both ends of the floor.

The biggest question marks will involve the backcourt, and specifically the point guard position.

Which players are going to bring the ball up the floor, organize the offense and be Sarr's "coaches on the court"?

Thierno Niang and Mamadou Ndoye should log most of the minutes at the playmaker position.

Ndoye, 34, had 13 points in the big win over Nigeria last year.

He has been a vital member of the side since AfroBasket 2005.

Niang, 24, wrapped up his America  collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2013-14.

Senegal didn't do well at the FIBA World Championship in 2006, losing all five of their games in Sapporo.

After coming up well short of qualifying for 2010, the Senegalese are back.

Tough games are ahead of them as Argentina, Greece, Puerto Rico, Croatia and the Philippines are their Group B foes.

FIBA