FIBA World Cup Group F Preview: Doncic-led Slovenia are Clear Favorites

• Group F is one of the tournament's most one-sided groups
• Slovenia is the clear favorite to win Group F
• Group F will play their matches at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa City, Japan

Group F may feature one of the world's biggest stars in Luka Doncic, but it does project to be a one-sided affair for Slovenia. One of Europe's most consistent performers, Slovenia is the odds-on favorite to win Group F of the FIBA Basketball World Cup's first round.

FIBA World Cup newcomers Georgia are looking to make a name for themselves in their first appearance at the tournament. Led by their most talented generation of basketball players with some NBA experience, Georgia was surprised when they earned their place in Japan.

Rounding out the group are longtime World Cup competitors Venezuela and another debutant in Cape Verde. Venezuela qualified for the FIBA World Cup after failing to earn a place at the Tokyo Olympics. And Cape Verde qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their country's history!

Odds to Win Group F at the FIBA World Cup

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on August 18, 2023.

Group F Schedule

26 August 2023: Cape Verde vs Georgia (4:00 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

26 August 2023: Slovenia  vs Venezuela (7:30 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

28 August 2023: Venezuela vs Cape Verde (4:00 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

28 August 2023: Georgia vs Slovenia (7:30 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

30 August 2023: Georgia vs Venezuela (4:00 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

30 August 2023: Slovenia vs Cape Verde (7:30 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

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Who Is the Favorite to Win Group F at the FIBA World Cup?

Slovenia (-1800)

FIBA World Ranking: 7

Odds to win the World Cup: +2100 BET HERE

Odds to win Group F: -1800 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 4

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 12-10 (.545)

Best World Cup Finish: 7 (2010)

Head Coach: Aleksander Sekulic

Key Players: Luka Doncic, Klemen Prepelic, Mike Tobey

NBA Players: Luka Doncic (DAL)

Slovenia entered the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a point to prove after failing to qualify in 2019 despite winning the Eurobasket Champions. They qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup from a Semi-Final run in the 2020 Olympics. Despite being eliminated in the Quarter-Finals of Eurobasket 2022, Slovenia punched their ticket to the World Cup with an extra qualification window to spare.

Sporting one of the world's most talented basketball players, Slovenia will march to the beat of superstar Luka Doncic. How Doncic plays will determine Slovenia's success, but he'll still have the support of veteran Zoran Dragic and Klemen Prepelic. Center Mike Tobey will handle the paint for Slovenia against the frontcourt presence of Group F.

Slovenia had one of the most beneficial group draws of the tournament. While it won't be easy, Slovenia are expected to dominate their group en route to the next round. The consistency of their supporting cast's production will be critical to their success.

Who Are the Contenders to Win Group F at the FIBA World Cup?

Georgia (+1100)

FIBA World Ranking: 32

Odds to win the World Cup: +40000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group F: +1100 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 1

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 0-0 (.000)

Best World Cup Finish: n/a

Head Coach: Ilias Zouros

Key Players: Tornike Shengelia, Thad McFadden, Goga Bitadze

NBA Players: Goga Bitadze (ORL), Sandro Mamukelashvili (SAS)

Georgia has qualified for their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup despite a qualification run until the very last day. Despite an up-and-down qualification campaign, Georgia's 88-80 win over the Netherlands was crucial. That victory provided just enough point differential for their 80-77 loss to Iceland to still result in a World Cup spot!

Much of Georgia's qualification efforts and success can be attributed to the production of Tornike Shengalia, Giorgi Shermadini, and Thad McFadden. The trio was crucial throughout the qualification campaign and is now supported by NBA talents in Goga Bitadze and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Georgia is looking to make an impact in their first appearance at the World Cup, but their shot at the group's top spot is filled with challenges. The World Cup debutants will need to deal with the similar ambitions of Venezuela and Cape Verde, who don't project to be easy outings for the European representatives.

Venezuela (+1700)

FIBA World Ranking: 17

Odds to win the World Cup: +40000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group F: +1700 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 5

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 8-15 (.348)

Best World Cup Finish: 11 (1990)

Head Coach: Fernando Duro

Key Players: Jhornan Zamora, Nestor Colmenares, David Cubillan

NBA Players: n/a

Continuity in their participation and some luck from other competitors helped Venezuela lock down its place at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Despite losing games to Canada and the Dominican Republic late in the qualification window, Venezuela earned and booked their ticket in Japan through Argentina's defeat to the Dominican Republic!

Through their qualification process, head coach Fernando Duro benefitted from the regular participation of David Cubillan, Nestor Colmenares, and Jhornan Zamora, who, among others, were available for all 12 matches. Others like Gregory Vargas and Michael Carrera will be crucial to efforts against a group that significantly outsizes them.

Venezuela has the third-best odds of winning the group, but they'll have a difficult time. They barely scraped by into the World Cup, and each of their Group F opponents sports frontcourt lineups that can directly exploit their weaknesses.

Cape Verde (+4000)

FIBA World Ranking: 64

Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group F: +4000 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 1

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 0-0 (.000)

Best World Cup Finish: n/a

Head Coach: Emanuel Trovoada

Key Players: Edy Tavares, Ivan Almeida, Will Tavares

NBA Players: n/a

Cape Verde has earned their first berth at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and they've made history as the least populated nation to compete in the tournament! After being eliminated in the Semi-Finals of FIBA Afrobasket 2021, Cape Verde earned their ticket to Japan on the final day of the African Qualifiers.

Fans and bettors will be able to see the center of Cape Verde's game plan, as 7'3 Edy Tavares is their focal point on offense and defense. It isn't a one-person show, though, as Tavares will be supported by the efforts of Ivan Almeida on the wing and Joel Almeida from range.

Cape Verde could surprise Group F as they sport talent that has experience at the top of Africa, Europe, and the NBA. While they lack experience, Cape Verde's quality at the rim is undeniable. Their shooting from range may be an issue, but the debutants' ability to find a win isn't unrealistic.