FIBA investigating Australia for loss to Angola

FIBA announced Monday it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Australia after its 91-83 loss to Angola on Thursday in the final game of the group stage at the FIBA World Cup.

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From the FIBA announcement:

"The on-court behavior displayed by Australia in that game generated huge disappointment by basketball fans and experts. It is widely suspected that Australia lost that game in order to avoid having to face the reigning world champions USA until the semifinals.Basketball Australia has an opportunity to state its case before FIBA decides what and to what extend disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed."

With a win, the Aussies could have been in line to face the Americans in the quarterfinals, as they would have finished second in the group ahead of Slovenia, who faces the U.S. on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

Goran Dragic of Slovenia, and the Phoenix Suns, called out the Aussies after Thursday’s game:

Australia rested its two top players, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes of the San Antonio Spurs, against Angola.

The issue isn’t whether or not Australia threw the game against Angola. Of course Australia threw the game against Angola.

The question will be what FIBA does in response to the controversy and why FIBA puts scenarios in place that benefit teams for intentionally losing games.

I mean, who does FIBA think it is? The Philadelphia 76ers?

Australia’s plan worked, to a degree. They did not have to play the U.S. in the quarterfinals. But they won’t play the Americans in the semifinals, either.

Turkey beat Australia Sunday in the round of 16, 65-64.