Division B Team Guide

BENGALURU (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - Seven teams will vie for glory and promotion from Division B at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017.

India are the clear favorites to come out of this division, but there are at least a couple others who may be able to spring a few surprises and join the confident Indians for promotion.

We will profile them and more here as we present all you need to know about the seven Division B teams.

Group Games (local time):
Sunday 23 July
Fiji v Singapore - 15:00
Kazakhstan v Lebanon - 18:00
Uzbekistan v India - 20:00

Monday 24 July
Lebanon v Fiji - 15:00
Singapore v Kazakhstan - 18:00
Sri Lanka v Uzbekistan - 20:00

Tuesday 25 July
Kazakhstan v Fiji - 15:00
Lebanon v Singapore - 18:00
Sri Lanka v India - 20:00

INDIA
2015: 6th Place
Best Finish: 5th Place (2013)
How they qualified: Host nation and relegated to Division B in 2015.

One to watch: Anitha Paul Durai
- With stars like Jeena Skaria and Smruthi Radhakrishnan not playing this year, the onus will be on Anitha Paul Durai to carry the load for India. She was second on the team in scoring in 2015, but she will probably be their main weapon this time around.

Outlook: With only five holdovers from the 2015 squad, India will have to rely on a lot of greenhorns this year. That may be a bit of a disadvantage, but it is offset by the fact that the Indians will be playing at home and that they have one of the most experienced teams in the division. When all is said and done, they should be able to get that promotion back to Division A.

SRI LANKA
2015: 12th Place
Best Finish: 7th Place (1992)
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Anjalee Ekanayake
- Ekanayake actually led Sri Lanka in scoring in 2015, averaging 10.4 points per game. Once again, she should be Sri Lanka's main offensive option this year.

Outlook: This is an almost new and revamped team from 2015. Two of their best players then - Solange Gunawijeya and Kumarine Silva - aren't on the roster this year, so Sri Lanka will really have to step up to avoid tumbling all the way down to the bottom of the barrel.

UZBEKISTAN
2015: Did not participate
Best Finish: 7th Place (2001)
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Aliya Samatova
- At 1.94m, Samatova is the tallest among the Kazakhs, and she may well be among the tallest in the women's side of the league. She last played at the continental tournament two years ago, but she is definitely going to be one of the possible prospects to catch here.

Outlook: Uzbekistan will be one of the main contenders in the Women's Asia Cup Division B. Samatova's size makes her quite the imposing figure, and other teams may find it very challenging to stop he.

FIJI
2015: Did not participate.
Best Finish: None yet (1970, 2013, 2015).
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Leba Korovou
She will be key for Fiji and is one of the team's tallest here at 1.87m If she can impose he will in the paint, things may get easier fo Fiji's speedy backcourt.

Outlook: Things will be tough for Fiji in Group B, but as long as they are able to compete well and maybe fight for the #2 spot, they should be happy already.

KAZAKHSTAN
2015: 9th Place
Best Finish: 6th Place (4 times)
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Tamara Yagodkina
- Kazakhstan's leading scorer from 2015 is back in the fold and ready to lead the team once again. The 1.70m shooting guard put up nearly 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, and she should be a marked man fo Kazakhstan's foes.

Outlook: This team will go only as far as where Yagodkina will take them. They should contend for the top spot in their group, but getting promoted to Division A is a whole another story altogether.

LEBANON
2015: Did not participate.
Best Finish: 5th Place (2011)
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Chanita Jordan
- Pending eligibility approval, Jordan is going to be a huge addition the Cedars' campaign. She gives them much-needed size and tenacity in the paint and will be a matchup nightmare for almost every team in Division B.

Outlook: Lebanon apparently are quite pumped and optimistic about their national team, but there are concerns about their fitness, chemistry and experience. If Lebanon are to overcome those, however, they may just be able to make it to the Division B Semi-Final.

SINGAPORE
2015: Did not participate
Best Finish: 5th Place (six times)
How they qualified: One of the early registrants for Division B.

One to watch: Yukie Yoshida
- The 1.75m combo forward looks pumped and excited for the Women's Asia Cup, and she is also the tallest player on their roster. This is her fist major continental tourney, however, so inexperience could b huge.

Outlook: Singapore are not the favorites in their group, and they will need to really play vey efficiently for them to even have a small chance of moving to the Semi-Final.

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