2008 Top 16 Profile: Lietuvos Rytas
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Regular Season:
1st, Group B, 11-3
Team Rankings
6th Points
6th 2-point %
3rd 3-point %
2nd FT %
2nd rebounds
3rd steals
6th ranking
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Aleksandar Trifunovic
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A budding European superpower, Lietuvos Rytas took Group B by charge this season as it looks to reach new heights in Euroleague Basketball. L. Rytas started the season by winning its first four games, added a five-game winning streak later on and earned key road wins at Maccabi Elite and Aris TT Bank in going 11-3, winning Group B and establishing itself as a contender. All this while being led by head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic, point guard Hollis Price and big man Marijonas Petravicius, who all were tasting Euroleague Basketball for the first time. L. Rytas also made a splash two years ago, when the club first took part in the Euroleague and as an underdog used team basketball and spirited road wins to advance to the Top 16, where it petered out. There is a different feel this time, although the club will face a tough challenge in the next stage by trying to win without big man Matt Nielsen, a pillar of the team’s success. Nevertheless, L. Rytas remains a force to be reckoned with, espe
cially at the Siemens Arena in Vilnius, one of the rowdiest atmospheres in the league. Trifunovic has preached defense to his charges and the results showed, as L. Rytas limited teams to 71.3 points per game. On the other hand, with Price among the league leaders in three-pointers made and assists and Petravicius second in two-point shooting, the foundation was laid for a fruitful attack. Forward Chuck Eidson, swingmen Arturas Jomantas and Mindaugas Lukauskis and big man Kenan Bajramovic round out a balanced offensive effort where anyone who has the hot hand can expect to get the ball and the chance to lead the team to victory. L. Rytas has proven it can win close games – seven of its victories came by 8 points or fewer – as well as having the killer instinct – winning two others by 34 and 35 points. Now the only question that remains is how the team will rebound from the loss of Nielsen. If it hurdles his absence like it has all other challenges, L.Rytas could go past most people’s wildest dreams. |
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Lietuvos Rytas head coach Alexander Trifunovic: "I had said before the season and I can repeat it now that there are no weak teams in the Euroleague. Furthermore, there are no weak teams in the Top 16. Teams that got through here are deeply motivated, ambitious, have strong rosters and specific goals. We know Aris perfectly, while Tau Ceramica and Fenerbahce Ulker are very experienced teams. It's not going to be easy but I think we can reach the quarterfinals." |
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Lietuvos Rytas general manager Jonas Vainauskas: "It was agreat draw in which all teams are competitive. I am sure we will be able to see great basketball games and with a bit of luck, we will qualify for the next stage. It is a very balanced group, with three good opponents and everyone has a chance. I hope that we keep playing they way we did throughout the regular season and become one of the top 2 teams to advance to the playoffs. The first game at home against Tau Ceramica is the most important in the Euroleague so far, as a win would get us closer to our goal. We cannot make mistakes in the Top 16. Our good results are not a coincidence. We will be a serious opponent for everyone." |
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Euroleague.net
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