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PREVIEW: SENIOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM LOOKS TO CLINCH AMERICUP 2025 BERTH IN FINAL QUALIFIER
SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico (Feb. 24, 2025) – The path to qualification for the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 reaches its decisive moment as Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team takes on Mexico in the final game of the qualifiers.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What: FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers
Who: Canada vs. Mexico
When: Monday, Feb. 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Where: Arena Potosí, San Luis Potosí City, Mexico
Watch: LIVE on Sportsnet 360
QUALIFICATION SCENARIOS
Canada (4-1) controls its own fate heading into Monday night’s contest. A victory over Mexico (3-2) would secure a top-two finish in Group C and a ticket to the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025.
Canada can also qualify if Nicaragua (0-5) upsets the Dominican Republic (3-2) in the other matchup of the group. If Canada falls to Mexico, they will still advance as long as the margin of defeat does not exceed 19 points.
However, a loss by 20 or more points would see Canada eliminated from contention.
BOUNCING BACK FROM FRIDAY'S LOSS
Canada’s qualifying campaign hit a roadblock on Friday night in Santo Domingo, as the team fell 74-65 to the Dominican Republic in a hostile road environment.
“[It’s] a great place to play. Great fans. We expected it to be a really loud arena,” said Senior Men’s National Team head coach Nathaniel Mitchell. “It’s always tough to play on the road, no matter where you are. I think it’s a great atmosphere. It’s something that we prepared for, but you can’t simulate this crowd.”
Despite the loss, Canada remains in a strong position to qualify and will look to regroup for Monday’s high-stakes contest.
LOOKING BACK: CANADA VS. MEXICO (NOVEMBER 2024)
Canada and Mexico last met on Nov. 24, 2024, in Saskatoon, where Canada pulled away late in the fourth quarter for an 83-73 victory.
Captain Trae Bell-Haynes led the charge with 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while Thomas Kennedy made his first start of the qualifiers, contributing 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Mexico, led by Karim Rodriguez’s 21 points, kept the game close into the final minutes before Canada’s defensive pressure sealed the win.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
With Nicaragua already qualified as the tournament’s host nation, the top two remaining teams from Group C will earn their spots for this summer’s AmeriCup. A win would remove any doubt for Canada, while a loss would make qualification dependent on tiebreaker scenarios.
Head coach Nathaniel Mitchell emphasized the importance of staying focused and bouncing back from Friday’s defeat. “It’s going to be very important. We’ve got to regroup from this and continue to get better.”
Tune in to Sportsnet 360 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT to watch the action live.
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