and we are live this is the Canada Hoops daily podcast my name is Shan Alexander thank you for tuning in as we wrap up Canada versus Australia at the Olympics our Canadian women's team needed a win in the worst way they're unable to get it done against a very good Australian Squad 70- 65 is the final score as Australia is Victorious they improveed to one and one in group play Canada Falls to 0 and2 so far during these Olympics now all is not lost for Team Canada as the way that this tournament works you know Olympics I'll break it down for you here but essentially how this all works is there's three groups the top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals and then the next two best third place squads also advance to the quarterfinals so all is not lost for Canada as they can still Advance the quarterfinals it's just going to take some help and by help I mean it's all going to come down to one they have to win their well first off they need Nigeria to lose to France later on today and then if France wins then Canada has to beat Nigeria by a certain amount of points and hope that the point differential in the other groups are in their favor and they're able to advance so it's a lot it's very convoluted there there is still a path forward for Canada but it took a huge blow today as they fall to Australia 70 to 65 again my name is Shel Alexander thank you for tuning in to this the Canada Hoops daily podcast just a note you can find the Canada Hoops daily podcast on Apple and on Spotify all you got to do is search Canada Hoops daily for the Canada Hoops daily video content go to YouTube and subscribe to the Sheldon Alexander page that's how you keep up to date with all of our video content we've been doing the wrap-up pods for the Canadian men's and women's games but also uh we've been doing live Hangouts in which we watch the games together take your comments and questions and we discuss what going down during the game as it happens live reactions like we just did this morning what we've been calling The Breakfast Club and it's just been an interesting time for sure things not going well for the women's program things going well for the men's program we'll get to the men in a second but right now we have to try and digest what just happened to our Canadian women's Squad their path forward to their Olympic run a metal hope a Podium Hope just took a huge huge blow I mean we talked a lot heading into this summer olympics about how the Canadian men and women had a real opportunity to both medal but it was going to be tough for on both sides and the women losing a huge game 70 to 65 they had a chance right they had a chance I think they got they did a good job I think in the first half their game plan was they were going to run a lot of substitutions and they're going to try to force a whole lot of pressure and you know you forced a lot of turnovers right you forced Australia now look at this box score Australia turned the ball over 20 times and if you watch the like don't pay attention so much to the minutes but what I'm talking about is the frequency of the substitutions in the first half by team Canada you could tell the goal was we're going to try to keep everybody fresh we're going to have quick substitutions and we're going to play pressure defense and you know it kept them in the game it really did keep them in the game in the first half um the flip side of that though is it was tough to find offensive cohesiveness and Canada struggled offensively throughout this game everyone not named Bridget Carlton I probably gone too far in this Pod without mentioning the name Bridget Carlton who I mean credit where credit is due she showed up and showed out for Team Canada in this game I know they take the L in this one but it is of no fault of Bridget Carlton who finishes this game with 19 points eight rebounds four assists three Steals and a block she shot Seven of 12 from the floor hit five three-pointers in this game just a massive massive game for Bridget Carlton and you saw it moments where she just looked exhausted and you know it's because again the game plan was to apply so much pressure on defense that it me it meant that you know your offense might take a hit as a team but Bridget Carlton did not struggle Canada did not lose this game because of Bridget Carlton in fact it's a five-point game because of Bridget Carlton she was the only consistent scoring for Team Canada and it's not even that you know she put up the points she hit five threes but it was the way that she was getting her buckets as well she was working hard at the offensive end nothing came easy for Team Canada I mean my opinion is they really struggled on offense and they lost this game because they were outplayed at the point guard position I just think the guard play for Australia whitcome had 19 points 10 assists six rebounds two steals in this game but what she was able to do for Australia they were just able to get easier baskets that was a theme throughout Canada would make these pushes Canada would get their buckets but they would work so hard to get all of their points meanwhile Australia would come down run a set get some dribble penetration and once you get the dribble penetration and the ball's moving Canada's defense going side to side you know you're losing track of offensive players somebody was getting an easy basket and you know when you're working so hard to get points and the other team is scoring so easily it can be deflating and then once you're down double digits and you're trying to make a comeback you're just making that task so much more difficult because you're already putting in so much effort into the defense and then now you get close you need an extra boost to get over the hump right to actually erase a 10-point lead and like tie the game or keep it at a one possession game give yourself a chance to take the lead you're putting out so much effort to get it to that point you just don't have the legs to get it over the hump and I really feel like that's what happened to Canada and listen I saw interesting tweet from Michael Grange he was talking about this was in the first half and he said I don't understand either play Fields or not I don't get the to play her for two minutes and then bury her for the rest of the half same with Amah here why put them on the floor if you only trust them for 90 seconds at a time that's a very interesting point and I mean I would tend to agree with that thought process as well because I feel like your offense is struggling to find a flow and the thing that's not GNA help that at all is the fact that you're switching up the players at such a frequent play Pace right it's going to be tough to find some cohesiveness on offense to find some chemistry on offense and that was Canada's biggest flaw in this game I mean it ends up being a five-point game and you know that's makes it seem a little closer than it actually was down the stretch and again you know the only reason it's that close is because of Bridget Carlton she willed her way to like keeping Canada in it in the first half Canada had no business being in this game but Bridget was just doing it all it wasn't even just scoring it was if you know me you follow the Podge you know the stats that I like to follow that really show you know the level of effort and like hustle and commitment being put in uh it's tough watching her right now I I see her getting interviewed right now and it looks like she's getting emotional cuz that's someone who's who's laid it on the line for this program and you know this era of Canada basketball the women's program Bridget Carlton Kia nurse Natalie aona you know they've taken this program The Heights that have haven't been seen before from the senior team and you could tell she left it all out there on the floor and you know I point to these stats rebounds steals blocks assists Bridget Carlton had all of that from the from the tip off and then to to fight her way through a 19point eight rebound four assist three steal performance I mean that's a tough one and the whole way through watching that game everyone's sentiment watching that game was the same in the sense that he just needed somebody else anybody else to step up and help out Bridget Carlton on a consistent basis and no one could do it you know there was a couple possessions there where you saw Kia nurse got it and one um you know na uh Kayla Alexander had an and one and you saw spurts from other players but it just wasn't a consistent enough offense by the Canadians not named Bridget Carlton and that that was a problem you know that is what did the men I just think you know if it's tough right you watch K and nurse who's been obviously such a driving force of this program for so long right and to see her struggle in these Olympics it it was tough to watch right because she's one of the key people that Canada relies on and if we're being honest it just wasn't a good enough performance for a Kia nurse in this tournament at all three of 14 in this game you know she finishes with 12 points she got to the line six times but three of 14 isn't going to cut it you know and that's one of the people that Canada relies on and you look overall Canada shot 35% from the floor that's not gonna cut it right as mentioned Kia nurse three for 14 Leah Edwards one for five Sammy Hill Off the Bench one for five you know you look at your starters it's just not a good look for a Canada but you start at the top you know after Bridget Carlton if this team is going to be successful it was going to be you know Natalie AA Kayla Alexander uh Kia nurse Aaliyah Edwards but right at the top of that list is Kia nurse and she struggled you know she struggled to find her offensive game and you know whether it was three-point shooting she struggled there 0 for three in this game but the more concerning part was even getting layups you know they ran a lot of actions where she would get back door cuts and get a good look at the cut cup and she wasn't able to get those to fall as well and I just thought at that point that's where things become difficult when you're missing layups so you know Kia nurse struggled in this one for Canada that in part is one of the major reasons why they probably will not advance to the quarterfinals and you know at this point I think that the the real interesting part was you look at Canada's guards and Shay colie again I think she was hobbled it looked like she struggled she was a step slow on offense you saw spurts from her but overall she really struggled you didn't really get much from fields in this game and then you know those are two guards that the past few years that Canada's women's team has been putting in work those were key names that gave them a lot of offense gave them a lot of production and Shay call Shay colie and naira Fields really struggled Samy Hill who was a lone bright spot in Canada's first game she struggled in this second game and you know that's a lot of names that you're hearing struggles from you know and it makes it difficult for you to win games at this level but the one thing I want to bring up though you know we got a glimpse fourth quarter minutes from Cass Prosper Silas schars you know that was big you know you're throwing them out there to gain some much needed experience as you know those that's a 19-year-old and an 18yearold out there getting minutes at the Olympics like that's a face going towards your next Olympic Games so getting them that experience was massive for sure but also you know you're witnessing kind of a Changing of the Guard here my assumption is it's probably Natalia a chona's last Olympic Games could be Kia nurse's last Olympic Games so you know four years from now this team could look very very different so seeing Aaliyah Edwards get major minutes you know swords and prosper that's really going to be the faces of your team going forward and you know I think the toughest thing to do in real time is make those key adjustments in the moment where you're trying to figure out okay well who do I play here what's my rotation these are my vets these are my vets that relied on multiple years in a row but do they still have enough in the tank that they're able to produce for me at this level right now it's a tough decision to make right it's easy for people on the outside to to try to say hey maybe Kia needs to take a seat you're just not going to do that in the moment you're just not you're you're gonna you owe it to her because of what she's done to the program because of her stature still in the game that she is going to play she is going to get minutes and even through the struggles you live with that because you've seen her shake out of it so many times before that you know you trust that process going forward either way a tough loss for team the team Canada women as they fall again 70 to 65 to Australia Australia just with a much better game than Canada everything working offensively for Australia they had 24 assists on 29 made field goals again 24 assists on 29 M field goals that tells you a team that is executing offense at a high high level right Canada doing the same you know 18 assists on what 21 field goals so it it it's just the the level of buckets in terms of how difficult can was getting their points getting their shot attempts that was a difference in the game Bridget Carlton with 19 points eight rebounds four assists three Steals and a block shot for Bridget you know she did all she could but she didn't really get much help outside of that and that's why Canada falls again their tournament most likely will be coming to an end they have one more game against Nigeria but here's how it works going forward if Canada or sorry if Nigeria wins tonight against France Canada cannot Advance if France beats Nigeria then Canada has a shot if they win against Nigeria on Sunday and get some help Point differential wise a lot of help actually Point differential wise they theoretically could advance to the quarterfinals but a tough go for Canada as they lose 70 to 65 this is a Canada Hoops daily podcast a tough going for the Canadian women's team and you know this is an interesting point for the women's program where you have you know some different players at different stages of their career Natalie a Chona is this her final Olympics you know Bridget Carlton Kia nurse Kayla Alexander you know those are players that have been at the Forefront of this team for the last few years the last few you know Olympic runs World Cup runs is that the last go that we've just seen with this team time will tell we also got a glimpse into the future with Cass prosper and swords and Aaliyah Edwards and it was tough you know I think Aaliyah Edwards is someone that if you were Team Canada you probably needed a lot more from Aaliyah Edwards if this team sorry if this team was to advance and make a run you probably were expecting more and needing more from Aaliyah Edwards and you didn't get it but I really think the international style of play is tough for like it's just such a guard driven style of play and so if you're having a big guard or sorry a big a forward and putting them into the offense it's going to be tough to figure out ways for them to contribute just because of the style of play is so different and you're running sets and you know do the sets that you run play towards the strengths of the style of your big you know Canada really faltered in the game against France because they weren't able to get the ball inside to Kayla Alexander to Aaliyah Edwards to Natalie a Chona and I think as much as they did a little bit of a better job in this game kale Alexander at least getting the double digits you know overall it was still a struggle on this team and you know relying so much on Kia nurse and Kia nurse not being able to produce that's how you end up in this situation where Canada Falls but you know I'll round this out on a positive you know Bridget Carlton she put in mega work for Team Canada and you know I think she should be applauded for the game that she had for Canada because she showed up she balled out she's 27 years old now right and so that means four years from now the next Summer Olympics she will be what 31 years old so there's a chance she should still be on this national team you know if she wants to be she will still have her spot on this national team going forward and Bridget Carlton I mean she balled out in this game I think though if you as you look forward you're really going to have to supplement the scoring from Bridget Carlton to other facets of the younger players coming up you know Kia nurse is 28 so she's going to be 32 you know come the next Olympics and you know you don't know different players once they get to 30 it's going to be a little different you never know what they have in store do they want to still play are they still playing at a high enough level but the point remains you're going to be looking towards the Silas swords Cass Prosper Aaliyah Edwards those are the face that you're going to see so you know interesting times for this Canadian women's program but just want to give a big salute to you know uh Natalie aona Kia nurse uh Bridget Carlton for the work that they've done for this program and you know shout out Bridget Carlton because that was an epic epic epic performance and if somehow Canada was able to to pull this game out and win Bridget Carlton I mean would be getting all of the Applause right now because she put in work for Team Canada it's tough that it came in a losing effort and it was heartbreaking if you're a Canadian fan and just watching her in that postgame interview as you see her get all emotional because you know the women's program came into this tournament with high expectations right they're trying to medal they had a disappointing Olympics last time out and so you know that they were looking forward to making a met and really making a push in this tournament and it just didn't go well so big shouts to Team Canada and Bridget Carlton for putting up a good fight in this one but they fall short 70 to 65 thank you for tuning in to this Canada Hoops daily podcast big shouts to the people that tune in to watch the Canada versus Australia live hangout that we did a reminder we will be doing a live hangout for the men's game tomorrow morning at 11 15 what time do that game start I think it's 11: will be up and running watching that game as Canada's men looked for a three and0 start in their Olympic play as they take on Spain they'll be looking for top spots in their group as they make their push towards the podium we'll need the Good Vibes on the court if you're a Canadian basketball fan for sure as it's a tough go as Canada Falls the women's team Falls to 0 and2 in their group we'll shift our hopes to the men and we will cheer on Team Canada the women's next game is Sunday against Nigeria time will tell as we won't know what they need I mean they'll need a win period but we'll know more later on this day maybe by the time you hear this pod you'll know whether Canada's women's team has a chance to advance or not either way thank you for tuning in my name is shell Alexander you can find me on Twitter shell Alexander on Instagram Sheldon Alexander and of course big shouts to the people listening to the Canada Hoops daily podcast on Apple and on Spotify rate US review us you know like subscribe all that fun stuff and of course make sure you subscribe to all the Canada Hoops daily video content which you can find on the YouTube page just search Sheldon Alexander thank y'all for tuning in we really appreciate you rocking with us as we enjoy summer basketball the stakes were here we waited for these Olympics for a long time they they're here and it's tough It's not all smooth sailing it's difficult to win an Olympic competition and the Canadian women are figuring that out I'm closing this out by shouting out and saluting Bridget Carlton one more time just for the work that she did in this game she balled out for Team Canada 19 points eight rebounds four assists three Steals and a block just because she's that nice big time game for Bridget not so much for the rest of Team Canada but we'll be back to discuss that and more tomorrow morning make sure you tune in to our Canada Hoops daily live hangout we'll be back to do that and of course Canada Hoops daily pod all that fun stuff you know the deal as I like to say as I always say I used to pray for times like this to rhyme like this this is Canada Hoops daily podcast as always polished and Unapologetic till next time see [Music] you he hey hey hey hey he hey hey