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FINGERS, toes and any other multiple body appendages remain crossed that our Boomers can from tomorrow night at the 2023 FIBA World Cup return to the medal podium they first stepped upon at the recent Tokyo Olympics.

But like most, the confidence our Australian men’s basketball team would eclipse the mighty Matildas’ fourth place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup took a big hit when starting centre Jock Landale was ruled out at the eleventh hour with an ankle injury.

Yes, the Boomers have a huge NBA contingent – second only to the USA! – but Landale was a lynchpin in the middle with his size, versatility and athleticism.

His absence means serious time for Duop Reath, Nick Kay, Xavier Cooks and Jack White, plus considerably more “small ball” than the Boomers may have planned to play.

But then by Tokyo, Andrew Bogut had called “time” on his career, then Aron Baynes was injured early in the tournament and subsequent “small ball” lineups carried the Boomers to Bronze.

And unlike with the mid-tournament loss of Baynes, at least this time around the Boomers have had a chance to make the necessary adjustments, as opposed to running repairs. Beating France in a warm-up game – though ultimately meaningless in the real scheme of things – still could not have hurt the team’s belief in its ability to rise to the occasion.

Finishing first or second in their group phase should be a certainty. Pool “E” opponents Finland (tomorrow, 6pm AEST), Germany (Sunday, 630pm AEST) and Japan (Tuesday, 9.10pm AEST) are ranked 11th, fifth and 22nd respectively to Australia’s current FIBA world rating at #3.

Taking into consideration the fact that every team at a World Cup comprises arguably the 12 best players that nation can produce – or near enough except in the case of the USA – you know every game has a level of national pride attached to it.

But if Australia cannot beat its three intragroup opponents – easily or otherwise -  then any talk of medalling becomes redundant.

Assuming the Boomers win Group E, they would face the runner-up of Group F in the next stage, Venezuela or Georgia. Slovenia should win Group F convincingly and avoiding the team the Boomers beat for the Olympic Bronze would obviously be preferable.

Anyone still wondering if Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian erred in handing the keys to his World Cup team to Josh Giddey just hasn’t been paying attention.

He’s more than ready and expect to be surprised by what Josh Green brings as well. He should have a breakthrough in much the same way Matisse Thybulle already did in Tokyo.

You know exactly what to expect from the veterans Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Chris Goulding, but also always consistent is Nick Kay.

Dante Exum is fulfilling his undoubted potential, Jack White’s all-round energy has won him admirers, Reath will flourish and Xavier Cooks will provide punch and athleticism.

Where Dyson Daniels fits or sits in Goorj’s rotation remains to be seen but there is more than enough talent and, perhaps more importantly, enough buy-in to the bigger picture, to fill us with excitement ahead of tomorrow night’s tip-off.

INTRAGROUP STAGE
GROUP A: Angola (28), Dominican Republic (10),  Italy (8), Philippines (20).
GROUP B: China (19), Puerto Rico (18), Serbia (9), South Sudan (25).
GROUP C: Greece (14), Jordan (27), New Zealand (17), USA (1).
GROUP D: Egypt (26), Lithuania (12), Mexico (15), Montenegro (21).
GROUP E: Australia (3), Finland (11), Germany (5), Japan (22).
GROUP F: Cape Verde (31), Georgia (23), Slovenia (4), Venezuela (24).
GROUP G: Brazil (13), Cote d’Ivoire (32), Iran (30), Spain (6).
GROUP H: Canada (7), France (2), Latvia (16), Lebanon (29).

SECOND ROUND STAGE
GROUP I: A winner, A runner-up, B winner, B runner-up.
GROUP J: C winner, C runner-up, D winner, D runner-up.
GROUP K: E winner, E runner-up, F winner, F runner-up.
GROUP L: G winner, G runner-up, H winner, H runner-up.

The USA of course, then France, Canada, Slovenia and Serbia are all among the contenders for the podium, the French and Canadians starting together in Group H and opening the tournament with arguably its biggest game.

Germany on Sunday will give the Aussies their biggest early test.