It really wouldn't have helped the Australians if they had Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Luc Longley and Olivia Newton-John in the line-up. Unless Hugh Jackman had his Wolverine powers, then maybe they'd be in business. But those claws would get him in foul trouble.

This could be my imagination, but maybe one of you could help me confirm it. Was this a tape-delayed broadcast that ESPN tried to pass off as live? I could have sworn that I got online and ran across the final score while the ESPN broadcast was still in the third quarter. I know that they have no intention of telling us that Jim Durham and Fran Fraschilla are nowhere near Japan, but the tape delay transgression seems worse. And if that did happen, did they really delay this broadcast because of an MLS game on ESPN2?

Up next for the United States will be Dirk Nowitzki and his merry band of Germans, who beat Nigeria 78-77 yesterday. That one's happening Wednesday at 6:30 a.m., or whenever ESPN gets around to showing it.

WBC : USA v.s Australia [Bench Renaldo]
USA vs AUSTRALIA (Group 66) [FIBA.com]

You could tell within the first two minutes that this game would be completely different from the Puerto Rico game. China just seemed to take the attitude of, "Well, we have Yao and a bunch other guys with similar haircuts, so we should be okay. Hey, let's just all have fun, because this is really all about brotherhood." They seemed content to just show up and take their beating.

Next up for Team USA are the Slovenians, who should actually provide a much tougher test. I'm also guessing that you'll see ESPN find a way to get Stephen A. Smith on a broadcast before Tuesday morning, just so he can say "Rrrrasho. Nesterovic." Other NBA names on the Slovenian roster that you might be familiar with (if you really like the NBA) include Primoz Brezec, Bostjan Nachbar, and Beno Udrih.

USA go 2-0 after blitz of China [CNN International]

Team USA looked a little bit like a one-trick pony last night. When they're forcing steals and getting into transition, they look great. But their halfcourt offense and their halfcourt defense both look pretty shaky. High screen-and-rolls kills them, dribble penetration kills them, and there's almost no flow to the offense when they're forced to slow things down. When they play a team with experienced guards that won't turn the ball over, they're going to have to be a lot better than they were tonight.

Of course, the upside is that the 10-point margin of victory leaves Chris Sheridan plenty of room to continue with the Gloomy Gus routine. To be fair, he's absolutely right about much of what he's written, but he's been about as bright and cheerful about Team USA's chances as a Sylvia Plath novel. At this point, he almost has to be rooting for them to lose, because if they do happen to get on a roll and romp through the tournament, he's going to look like a doofus. But check out #9 from his list of ten reasons that Team USA won't win the gold, from ESPN Insider:

9. The smell factor. This is a little disgusting, but it's true: Some of these teams stink, literally. Players on international teams travel to and from the arenas in their uniforms, and many players forsake showers as a result. I got a really close look at Argentina during the Worlds in Indianapolis, and I do not believe Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola or Andres Nocioni bathed during the entire tournament. BO may be repulsive, but it also keeps defenders a few extra inches away.

We'll have to get Chris Bosh to confirm it for us, but yeah, Peter John Ramos looks pretty stank.

U.S. shows up late to World party, survives Puerto Rico [ESPN.com]

Sanrio Far East Company, Ltd. Managing Director Andy Y. Toyama stated: "BAD Badtz-Maru has a wicked personality, which is very unique for this kind of character, but he is widely loved throughout consumer markets not only in Japan but also in Asia, the United States and Europe."

Remember their mascots from when Japan co-hosted the World Cup? Yeah, this is one screwed-up island. And please note the ball that the penguin is holding, which will be the actual ball used in competition. Did the penguin poop on the ball? No, it's called a "molten" ball, features something called "magnetic touch," and reminds us of the face-sucking creature in the Alien movies. This seems like unnecessary tampering; there is no need to change the basketball. It's perfect in its simplicity; orange and round is all that's required. Don't get fancy on us, FIBA.

Anyway, the fun begins on August 19. LeBron James is playing, and Dwyane Wade. And the U.S. will likely lose in the semifinals.

BAD Badtz-Maru Launched As Official Mascot For Japan 2006 [FIBA.com]

USA Practice The 'Best Pickup Game In The World' [MSNBC]