'Why you compete': Crocs primed for Asia Cup quarters

• Australia remain undefeated after three games heading into the FIBA U16 Asia Cup quarter-finals
• The Crocs beat Bahrain by 91 points, India by 89 points and Lebanon by 12 points
• Ultimate guide to Aussie Crocs FIBA U16 Asia Cup tilt

Having to fight tooth and nail to beat Lebanon in their last pool game was exactly what the Australian Crocs needed heading into the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup quarter-finals, according to coach Greg Vanderjagt.

After monstrous wins by 94 points and 89 points over Bahrain and India to start their tournament in Mongolia, the Crocs found themselves in a contest against Lebanon on Tuesday but came up with the plays when it mattered most to earn a 73-61 win to remain undefeated after the group stage.

Australia will face the winner of Korea and Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals on Friday (AEST) and Vanderjagt said the team was excited about the challenges the next stage would bring but also admitted the Crocs had areas to improve on.

"This is why you compete, the enjoyment and pride that comes with wearing the green and gold is unrivalled," he told basketball.com.au from Mongolia.

"It’s about harnessing those feelings and channelling them into behaviours on the floor that are representative of Australian basketball. Our focus will be on playing our style of basketball at all times, we present a distinct challenge at this tournament and if we can collectively maintain control of the game by playing the Crocs brand of basketball we’ve developed this group it will put us in a great space to have success.

"As a staff we will leave no stone unturned to prepare this group of young men and ensure they have all of the information and tools they need to be successful at the back end of this tournament, that’s our responsibility."

Australia's best young talent has been on show at the Asia Cup with the likes of Lucas Byrne, Luke Paul and Isaiah Jorgenson leading the way for the Crocs, who were heavy favourites to take out the gold medal going into the Asia Cup with Australia winning every tournament since joining the region but faced a tough challenge against Lebanon.

Vanderjagt said that challenge was what FIBA basketball was all about.

"The challenge Lebanon threw at us was exactly what we needed at this stage of the tournament. They are a good basketball nation and they threw everything at us... it was great for our group to have to make adjustments in game, fight through some adversity and have a collective intent to play the right way," he said.

"We learned a lot about ourselves in that one, which allows us to prepare the right way for what’s next. I’m pleased that the group found a way to always respond when we were challenged however, it shows the toughness that this group is developing internally as they learn more about what this level of competition is about."

Following their first close game of the tournament, Vanderjagt – who is an NBL assistant coach with the Brisbane Bullets – said the Crocs were in a "good space" as they progressed to the next stage.

"We’ve had the time together we’ve needed to learn about the group and for them to learn about each other," he said.

"We have a clean bill of health going into the back end of the tournament as well which is a huge strength for us when we can utilise the depth of the group to play the game we want to in this tournament.

"I think we’ve still got some work to do offensively as a group, but we have time over the next two days to sharpen some of the reads within our system, so we are prepared for the finals push."

Australia were one of four teams to automatically qualify for the quarter-finals with New Zealand, China and Japan all having two days off before their crossover match-ups.