2023 FIBA World Cup Group I Predictions, Picks, and Preview: Teams, Key Players, Odds, and Schedule

• The first round of 2023 FIBA World Cup is done
• Serbia and the Dominican Republic share similar 3-0 records in Group I
• Italy and Puerto Rico carry similar 2-1 slates in Group I
• Bogdan Bogdanovic and Karl-Anthony Towns helped their teams go undefeated

The stage is set for the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The Dominican Republic and Serbia qualified for Group I after topping Groups A and B, respectively.

Italy and Puerto Rico completed the cast after finishing runners-up in those two groups.

Let us preview the four teams in Group I.

Group I records

Serbia lead Group I with a 3-0 record after sweeping their first three matches in Group B, per FIBA.com.

Their point differential currently stands at +91 after crushing China 105-63, beating Puerto Rico 94-77, and defeating South Sudan 115-83 in their group matches.

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They are pegged at +1200 to win the FIBA World Cup.

The Dominican Republic are in second place. They also hold a 3-0 record with a point differential of +19.

They swept Group A after beating the Philippines, Angola, and Italy.

They are pegged at +8000 to win the World Cup.

Italy carry a 2-1 slate into Group I with a point differential of +16.

They recorded victories against Angola and the Philippines and lost to the Dominican Republic by five points in Group A.

They are pegged at +5000 to win the World Cup.

Puerto Rico are ranked fourth in Group I with a 2-1 record and a +6 point differential.

They recorded wins against South Sudan and China, and suffered a 17-point loss to Serbia in Group B.

They are pegged at +20000 to win the FIBA World Cup.

Key players in Group I

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Leading the way for Serbia in this tournament is Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Atlanta Hawks star leads his country in scoring with an average of 18.0 points per game.

Nikola Milutinov has also been a force down low for Serbia, averaging 13.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Nikola Jovic has been outstanding as well for Serbia, averaging 17 points per game in the group stage.

Karl-Anthony Towns has been good as advertised for the Dominican Republic.

He’s averaging 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest in this year’s World Cup, per The Inquirer.

Simone Fontecchio is the one keeping Italy afloat in this World Cup.

He averaged 16.7 points per game in the group stage.

One thing he needs to address is his poor outside shooting. He shot just 5 of 25 from the 3-point area in the games in Group A.

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For Puerto Rico to advance to the quarter-finals, they will need Tremont Waters to continue his outstanding play in this tournament.

He’s the focal point of his team’s offence, averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 assists per game in this year’s World Cup.

He dazzled in the must-win contest against South Sudan, scoring 19 points and dishing out 11 assists.

Group I schedule (EST)

September 1

Serbia vs. Italy (4:00 a.m.)

Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico (8:00 a.m.)

September 3

Italy vs. Puerto Rico (4:00 a.m.)

Dominican Republic vs. Serbia (8:00 a.m.)

Writer’s Prediction

Serbia and the Dominican Republic qualify for the quarter-finals.

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FIBA World Cup: Asian teams struggle

Sports Brief recently reported on the Asian teams' struggles in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

They combined for a 1-17 record in the group stage, with all six Asian nations failing to advance to the second round.

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Japan recorded the only win for Asia, beating Finland in the group stage.

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