Olympic Basketball 2012: Expectations for Team GB Men and Women

Although London is hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, don't anticipate Great Britain's basketball teams lasting too long in the competition.

In other words, the expectations are quite low for Britain as it's only the second Olympic appearance for the country's men's team and it's the first for the women. Interestingly enough, this bid to the Summer Games also only happened because London is hosting as well.

According to Rob Dugdale of BBC News back in March of 2011:

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Basketball is the only Olympic sport where a decision on host participation has to be approved by the world governing body.

Had GB's teams not been granted host spots, they would have had to reach the finals of their respective EuroBasket competitions.

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Now with that in mind, let's take a look at what to expect from Britain's basketball teams in the 30th Olympiad.

Full view of men's rankings and women's rankings courtesy of FIBA.

Great Britain men's and women's results courtesy of GBBasketball.com.

Men: Worst-Case Scenario, One Win

Despite the low odds at making some noise during the 2012 Summer Olympics, Great Britain's men's team will come away with at least one win.

Right now that victory is most likely going to occur against China, as the British did manage to defeat them in the London Invitational tournament last year. Elsewhere unfortunately, Britain failed to win against any teams now competing in the Olympics and are also in a tough group with Spain, Brazil and Russia.

Anything more than a single W would be nice for the hosts, but this is one men's team you can safety bet against.

Women: Worst-Case Scenario, Fail to Win

At the 2011 EuroBasket tournament Great Britain's women went 1-5 and the lone victory was over Israel.

Looking at their Olympic group, the British have Russia, Canada, Brazil, Australia and France to face. Unfortunately, all five are inside the top 11 of the FIBA world rankings while Britain sits way down at No. 49.

Now Great Britain's women did manage to defeat Canada and France earlier this summer, but the French had already qualified for the Olympics by then so they had nothing to play for. As for Canada, they immediately avenged the loss to Britain with a big win the next day.

It may not be a surprise if Britain comes close to multiple wins, however, a drastically low ranking combined with their first Olympic appearance does work against them.

Men: Best-Case Scenario, Two Wins

If everything falls into place for the Great Britain men's team, a spot in the quarterfinals is possible.

The expected victory of China already provides one victory and another could come over Australia. The British lost to the Australians 91-90 last August and both will face off in Group B.

During that game, Luol Deng and Joel Freeland accounted for 48 of Britain's 90 points. No one else scored into double-digits and Australia dished out seven more assists. If the British can improve their ball movement and get one more guy like Kyle Johnson to score, a second W will happen.

All the British have to do is finish fourth in their group, because the top four from each qualify for the quarterfinals. From then on Britain would be a dangerous team as they'd have much confidence combined with nothing to lose.

Women: Best-Case Scenario, One Win

Considering that Great Britain's women's team did defeat France and Canada earlier this summer, it's reasonable to suspect they possess a solid amount of confidence.

Still, the British women have much to prove in the Olympics when you count their losses against non-Olympic teams like Belarus, Lithuania and Cuba (dating back to 2011). Then again, Britain is also in arguably the more difficult of the two Olympic groups so getting a win does weigh more.

Canada is the likeliest of wins as well, because they are the most known of opponents. Splitting two games in June, Britain won then lost in convincing fashion. Thanks to two reliable scorers in Natalie Stafford and Jo Leedham, Britain was also able to control the paint and capitalize off turnovers.

Provided this performance occurs in the Olympics, Britain's women will get at least one win, if not two.

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