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CAN - Canada to use FIBA Americas U16 loss as teaching tool for U17 Worlds
TORONTO (FIBA U17 World Championship) - Canada coach Dave DeAveiro plans to look back at a bitter defeat before looking forward to building a winning group as he readies to prepare his team for the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship.
Last summer, Canada lost to Argentina 65-64 in overtime of the Semi-Finals at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Even though Canada had clinched its place for this year's U17 Worlds by reaching the game, it was the third straight time they failed to take the next step at the continental U16s.
After losing to the USA at the Semi-Final stage in both 2009 and 2011, Canada claimed a spot on the podium by knocking off Venezuela and Puerto Rico respectively.
Last summer, DeAveiro led Canada past Puerto Rico once again to take another third place - this time in Uruguay.
He wants to make sure his players get that bitter taste in their mouths and plans on showing the team that game at the start of the preparations for the FIBA U17 World Championship taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 8-16 August.
"We were disappointed that we didn't get to the Final. Playing Argentina in South America in a meaningful game is a big step for many of these guys in terms of knowing how hard you have to play to basically win on the road," said DeAveiro, whose team took the lead with 24 seconds left in regulation before conceding a game-tying score with 9.3 seconds left to play and eventually losing after the extra period.
"We're going to use that game as a great teaching tool when we start our camp and do film for our camp. We're going to watch that game as a group and we're going to see about how we can get better and things you can do when you play on the road."
And that is exactly what Canada will face at the U17 Worlds - a series of road games.
"It's going to be basically our team, our group of kids, and staff against everyone else in the world. Understanding each other will be key," said the coach.
Canada are drawn into Group B with Australia, France and Japan.
"You talk about Australia and you're talking about one of the three to five best teams at every level; the way they run their offense with precision and their cuts and the skills that each one of the young guys have. But again, you know what you're getting. You have to be able to defend your man and defend concepts on defense," DeAveiro said of the Aussies.
The coach said he expects France to be athletic and feature players with some size and skills.
"With the history of France, you know they'll be athletic and strong up front and will probably have one or two guys who can break you down and shoot the ball," said the Canadian, who will get a chance to see both France and Australia shortly before the U17 Worlds in a warm-up tournament with both teams on French soil.
Japan, DeAveiro emphasized, offers a whole different style of basketball.
"We're not accustomed to it. We saw a little bit two years ago when we played Korea and China. It's a different brand of basketball. We have to prepare a whole different way, because they're probably small, quick and can shoot the ball.
"I think we're in a very difficult pool to start with, but we're looking forward to the challenge."
When asked about the team's goal in Dubai, DeAveiro said: "We definitely want a medal. But we really have to defend and share the ball on offense."
FIBA