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EUROCUP, Regular Season 2009-10, Group Analysis
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GROUP A
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When a European fan thinks German club basketball, the words Alba Berlin are usually the first to come to mind. A Korac Cup winner in 1995, Alba made it to the Euroleague Top 16 last season but could not survive the Qualifying Rounds, losing against Maroussi BC on points differential. That, however, gives Alba the chance to reach high in the 2009-10 Eurocup and challenge for the title. Alba managed to keep most of the players that reached the Top 16 last season. Steffen Hamman and Rashad Wright return at point guard. Hamann offers intensity and court sense while Wright thrives in transition game and open court situations. Julius Jenkins is back to do what he does best - fill the baskets all over the continent. Do-it-all swingman Immanuel McElroy provides explosiveness, defense or just anything his team needs to win. Its main addition is Kenan Bajramovic, a talented big man with incredible basketball IQ. He is set to share a lot playing time with starting center Blagota Sekulic, a solid big man with good rebounding skills. Old-school big man Adam Chubb and veteran forward Dragan Dojcin round Alba's frontcourt. Expect Alba to fight for the Eurocup title, backed by thousands of diehard fans at the O2 World. |
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Azovmash Mariupol
Ukraine
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Ukrainian champion Azovmash Mariupol missed the Eurocup Final Eight by one win last season and head coach Rimas Girskis’s men aren’t about to let that happen again. The roster may look different this season, with six new faces added to the rotation, but the talent level and commitment remains high as always. Girskis will entrust Juby Johnson with the keys to the engine, knowing that the combo-guard was a big reason Zadar reached the Final Eight last year. The likes of Simonas Serapinas, Oleksandr Skutyelnik, Marius Prekevicius and Rolandas Jarutis will spread the floor and knock down jumpers whenever left alone. Demetris Nichols can also provide points in bunches both with his outside shooting or moves to the basket. Now healthy, Erik Daniels could emerge as a star from the power forward position, where he combines the strength and rebounding skills of a big man with the shooting touch and court vision of a guard. Hasan Rizvic and rebounder extraordinaire Ejike Ugboaja will share the duties in the paint. The keys to Azovmash’s success will be making sure the wings knock down their jumpers, which will set up more opportunities for the rest of the team to capitalize on. And with so many fine shooters, it’s a safe bet that shots will be falling and Azovmash winning plenty this season. |
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Galatasaray Café Crown
Turkey
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Galatasaray Café Crown returns to the Eurocup after one season away hoping to pick up where it last left off. Two years ago, Galatasaray rode a star-studded cast with proven Euroleague-level talents all the way to the ULEB Cup semifinals, before coming up short against eventual winners DKV Joventut. Now the team has followed the same plan by signing several big talents to bring the team to those same lofty heights. Three players – big man Cemal Nalga and wing players Tufran Ersoz and Murat Kaya – remain from the club’s last appearance in the competition and will bring the spirit of success from then. Head coach Okan Cevik can take pride in a new-look backcourt led by the speedy and powerful Darius Washington at point guard and shooting star Simas Jasaitis at his side. Evren Buker adds scoring touch, while Can Akin’s all-around skills and Ersoz’s defense give Galatasaray some important backcourt depth. Big man Rado Rancik figures to be the team’s main man in the paint where he’ll join versatile veteran forward Mike Wilkinson and Nalga to give the club a solid frontcourt. Although Galatasaray may not enter the season as a favorite, the team’s depth and balance plus the experience of those three players should help bring the squad together and turn them into a candidate for another special season.
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BancaTercas Teramo is one of three Italian clubs in the Eurocup this season and though it may start the year as the least known, it has high hopes of being recognized by the end. Teramo has proven itself thus far as it edged Apoel Nicosia on Bobby Jones’s free-throw shooting to advance to the regular season via the qualifying rounds. Now Teramo aims to hit the ground running in the regular season. The club’s strength is in its depth as it features 10 players in its rotation. The backcourt is led by Giuseppe Poeta at point guard and Drake Diener at shooting guard, with pass-first veteran Ryan Hoover coming off the bench. Bruno Cerella and Gianluca Lulli round out the backcourt. The athletic Jones is a force at small forward, while Valerio Amoroso is a tough man to stop inside or outside at power forward. Jamel Thomas anchors the frontline with his rebounding work, while veterans Goran Jurak and Virgil Stanescu add important depth in the paint. Determination and teamwork are among the traits that define Teramo, which aims to build on last season’s third-place finish in the Italian League to launch a successful assault on the Eurocup.
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GROUP B
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After three consecutive Euroleague season, Le Mans Sarthe Basket hopes to use its valuable experience in its return to the Eurocup. Le Mans missed the chance to make it to the Euroleague through the Qualifying Rounds but has a good chance to shine in Europe's second competition. The club is already a reference in French basketball due to its solid organization and good results, but a good Eurocup run would add value to its results at home. Le Mans found a new franchise plater in Marc Salyers, a former Alphonso Ford Top Scoring trophy winner always ready to drive to the basket and pull the trigger from downtown. Athletic and fast, Salyers has his perfect complement in scoring guard Dee Spencer. Able to create his own shot and with unlimited range, Spencer should lead his team's backcourt. Le Mans landed Zack Wright as its new floor general. A good rebounder and leader, Wright thrives in transition and up-tempo game. Up-and-coming combo guard Antoine Diot and forward Maleye Ndoye will see playing time at both wings. Le Mans managed to keep old-school center JP Batista, a solid big man with a nice set of low post moves. Thierry Rupert offers rebounding skills and experience off the bench. With former player JD Jackson back as coach after winning the French Cup and the Semaine des As last season, expect Le Mans to be a tough opponent. |
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Few people thought that Hemofarm Stada would reach the Eurocup semifinals before the start of the 2008-09 season, but the club beat the expectations with attractive basketball and great determination. Hemofarm also made it to the competition semis in 2005 and 2006, turning the club into a reference in this competition. Hemofarm managed to keep its core of players and added a couple of new additions to make the team even better. Stefan Markovic returns as its starting point guard. A pass-first playmaker that does not hesitate to take responsabilities, Markovic is one of the best young guards in Europe. His backup will be Miljan Pavkovic, an excellent three-point shooter that is never afraid of anyone. Jarod Stevenson is a marquee addition at small forward, as he can open any defense with his one-on-one skills. Shooting ace Marko Sutalo, experienced swingman Bojan Krstovic and versatile forward Milos Borisov will share playing time at both wings. Last season's Eurocup Rising Star Milan Macvan and 222cm center Boban Marjanovic will see most minutes around the baskets. Macvan has a high basketball IQ and great post skills. Marjanovic is an outstanding rebounder and with the right development, he is set to become a dominant center. Milivoje Bozovic and Rasko Katic round a deep frontcourt in a solid, well-built team. |
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BC Triumph Lyubertsy
Russia
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BC Triumph Lyubertsy returns to the Eurocup after a one-year absence trying to beat the expectations and challenge for the trophy. Triumph won its regular season group in its only Eurocup appearance two weeks ago but had an early exit in the Last 32. Head coach and former legendary player Stanislav Eremin put together a deep, versatile team ready to make some noise in the competition. Egor Vyaltsev and Pavel Sergeev share the point guard duties in this team, that has its best scorer in Brion Rush. Vyaltsev and Sergeev have the right coach and the playing time required to take a step forwards and shine in Europe's second competition. Rush is a proven scorer with unlimited range and outstanding determination. Versatile swingman Vadim Panin and forward Nikita Shabalkin are set to see playing time at both wings. Panin is a tall guard that knows how to make the most of his size and ballhandling. Meanwhile, Shabalkin is a key piece for Triumph due to his versatility and three-point shots. Konstantin Nesterov and Paul Miller will see most minutes around the baskets, with Valery Likhodey offering a helping hand off the bench. expect Triumph to be a tough-to-beat team looking to reach as high as possible. |
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The original Eurocup champion is back in the competition for the third straight season ready to bounce back from its recent pass and try to bring the trophy back home. Valencia Basket was the then-called ULEB Cup champion 2003 and always reached the quarterfinals in each of its four previous appearances in the competition. Head coach Neven Spahija - that lost the 2003 ULEB Cup finals against Valencia with Krka Novo Mesto - leads a solid team with good players in all positions. Nando De Colo is the new floor general, offering creativity and quickness. Marko Marinovic and youngster Jose Simeon and Bozhidar Avramov are ready to step up if De Colo struggles or is used as shooting guard. Rafa Martinez is a key piece due to his range and determination. Versatile swingman Rawle Marshall is an interesting addition due to his quickness and all-around skills. European champion Victor Claver could make the difference for Valencia at small forward. Matt Nielsen leads his team's froncourt along with 217cm Kosta Perovic. Nielsen offers his all-around game and experience while Perovic provides size and post skills. Shot block specialist Serhiy Lishchuk and power forward Flo Pietrus provide intensity, defense and range off the bench. With the right chemistry and despite having played the Qualifying Round, Valencia can go far in the 2009-10 Eurocup. |
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GROUP C
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A trademark team in European basketball is back to the Eurocup hoping to bounce back from an underwhelming 2008-09 season in which the team missed the Last 16. Aris BSA 2003 already won three different European club competitions - Saporta Cup in 1993, Korac Cup in 1997 and FIBA Champions Cup in 2003 -, made it to three consecutive Euroleague Final Fours from 1988 to 1990 and reached the Eurocup title game in 2006, losing against Dynamo Moscow. Moreover, Aris has one of the most loyal fan bases in world sports. Aris opted to add experienced players that know how to play tough games. The club landed floor general Aaron Miles, a key piece in a very interesting backcourt that also features scoring machines Quinton Day and Kee Kee Clark. Swingman Jeremy Richardon and well-rounded veteran Nikos Hatzivrettas, that should play a decisive role due to his experience. Aris managed to keep Andy Betts and land Michalis Kakiouzis and Demos Dikoudis. All three players led AEK to win the Greek League title in 2002 and got together again to play for Aris. Versatile forward Nikos Barlos, swingman Corey Belser and veteran guard Nikos Argyropoulos round a deep team in which experience is out of the question. Expect Aris to do much better than last season. |
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Coming off its best Eurocup season since 2003, Zadar returns to the competition with the same ambition and ready to do even better. Zadar made it to the Final Eight last season and is ready to make more noise this season with legendary coach Zmago Sagadin as its main reference. Over the last couple of decades, Sagadin has shown that he can make the most of out the players he has - and is also an incredible scout, always ready to find new talent for his team. Rok Stipcevic is back as its starting point guard, offering clutch, court sense and incredible determination. Toni Prostan should step up as the team's backup point guard. Three-point specialist Damir Rancic, small forward Micah Downs and scoring guard Marco Car will share playing time at both wings. Car is ready to go from little-known to one of the most pleasant surprises in the 2009-10 Eurocup. Zadar reloaded its roster around the baskets with the addition of Vladimer Boisa and center Trent Plaisted. Boisa can open the court with his long-distance shots while Plaisted should shine after a much-needed adjustment period. Versatile forward Hrvoje Peric and well-rounded veteran Tomislav Ruzic round a deep, solid team ready to beat anyone, anywhere. |
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BC Siauliai may be the third team of Lithuanian basketball behind the great Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a serious force. Head coach Antanas Sireika has pieced together a promising squad with both young talents and accomplished veterans ready to made a serious run in the Eurocup. Arvydas Siksnius has assumed the point guard duties at Siauliai, taming up with Derrick Low to form a backcourt where both players can light it up from downtown and have the court vision and sense to find the big men inside. Small forward Deividas Gailius has made the most of practicing alongside former Euroleague champ Mindaugas Zukauskas, taking his game to new heights. Zukauskas’s experience and leadership has been a blessing to the whole team, giving Sireika an assistant coach on the floor. Mindaugas Kuzminskas is another forward who has shown great improvement so far this year. Rookie power forward Brandon Brown is paying dividends, while the center duo of Vytautas Sarakauskas and Raitis Grafs is a very efficient pairing. If the young players continue to develop at the pace they’ve shown, BC Siauliai could be on its way to brining Lithuanian basketball more glory in the not so distant future.
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A former competition champion, Hapoel Jerusalem returns to the Eurocup with a revamped roster ready for another long march deep into the competition. Jerusalem made a historic run to lift the ULEB Cup in 2004 and was among the most consistent teams in Europe’s second competition over the last decade. After a few dry years, Jerusalem is back and as hungry as ever. Led by head coach Guy Goodes, Jerusalem has almost an entirely new roster with only two rotation players back from last season, point guard Yuval Naimy and forward Sharon Shason. However the newcomers have jelled quickly as seen in their qualifying round win over Chorale Roanne. Naimy will team with another promising Israeli playmaker, Yogev Ohayon, to run the show. Tre Simmons and Dijon Thompson are a tantalizing pair of talents on the wings. They are both intelligent all-around players, who can seemingly do it all. Shason adds great shooting touch off the bench. Kevinn Pinkney and rookie Leo Lyons are modern power forwards, who can rebound well and hit outside jumpers. Brandon Hunter and Uri Kokia are bruisers who will create space and opportunities in the paint. All told, Hapoel has one of its best rosters in years and should be considered a serious darkhorse to advance several stages this season.
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GROUP D
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The 2008 Eurocup champion returns to the competition after a year in the Euroleague ready to challenge for the title as one
the main candidates to lift the trophy in April. Joventut has won five European club competitions, including a Euroleague
title in 1994, so the club knows what it takes to succeed at any level. Joventut kept Sito Alonso as coach and reloaded its
roster to be loyal to its guidelines: strong defense, up-tempo game, athleticism and fun-to-watch basketball. Joventut
brought in Kris Valters as its starting point guard. Valters has great court vision and is a good on-the-ball defender. His
backup will be Mario Fernandez, an all-around guard that always does the little things any team needs to win games and
titles. Joventut also brought in fire power with Uros Tripkovic and Clay Tucker. Tripkovic is a deadly shooter and a
natural-born winner. Tucker can create his own shot and is one of the best scorers in the competition. Up-and-coming
youngster Pere Tomas and athletic forward Christian Eyenga will see minutes at both wings, too. Edu Hernandez-Sonseca leads
his team's frontcourt due to his defensive skills and deep range. Henk Norel, Antonio Bueno and Alain Koffi are physical,
mobile big men while Luka Bogdanovic offers deep range and experience. In other words, Joventut can beat anyone, anywhere. |
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Perhaps one of main candidates to win the Eurocup next season may well be Unics due to its tradition, roster and recent history in Europe's second competition. Unics finished the 2008-09 regular season unbeaten but could not make it to the Final Eight. With former Olympic champion Valdemaras Homicius as head coach, Unics put together a deep roster ready to beat anyone, anywhere. Terrell Lyday is set to start at point guard, with Petr Samoylenko coming off the bench. Lyday is a good scorer that thrives in up-tempo game, while Samoylenko is an old-school playmaker with good defensive skills. With both players sharing the point guard duties, Marko Popovic is set to play off-guard, where he feels way more comfortable, coming off screens to pull the trigger from downtown. Artem Kuzyakin is also set to have an extended role in the team. Saulius Stombergas came back from retirement to help Unics this season. A deadly shooter, Stombergas is a major addition for any team due to his experience and incredible talent. Vladimir Veremeenko and Kresimir Loncar are ready to lead Unics' frontcourt once again this season. They will get some valuable help from left-handed center Fedor Likholitov, a blue-collar big guy that never gives up. Expect Unics to reach higher and with the right chemistry, fight for the Eurocup title. |
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Telekom Bonn returns to the competition for the first time in five years aiming to recapture its winning ways of old. Bonn was eliminated in the Eurocup qualifying rounds last season, but still had a strong season, reaching the German League finals in the end. Bon aims to build on that success with a strong Eurocup showing. Accordingly, head coach Michael Koch has the core of that team back, reinforced with several key additions. Playmaker Jared Jordan takes the keys to the engine, hoping to organize the attack and make those around him better. Shooting guard Bryce Taylor plans on being the recipient of many of those passes as he attacks the basket with regularity. Combo guard Johannes Strasser is their top guard off the bench. The athletic Vincent Yarbrough is a good defender and shooter at small forward, while fellow forward Patrick Flomo is an explosive, defensive whiz. John Bowler is a legitimate low post presence, while veteran Chris Ensminger and Tim Ohlbrecht fill the center spot. Ohlbrecht, long considered a promising talent, could be in for a big year in the middle. If the new and old faces mesh well, Jordan could maximize the talent on this roster and lead Bonn to Eurocup revival this year.
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Besiktas ColaTurka
Turkey
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Besiktas Cola Turka enters its fifth straight Eurocup season with one of its strongest rosters yet, and that’s saying something after the club reached the Final Eight just two years ago. With two players who were statistically speaking among the best five players in the Eurocup regular season, point guard Mire Chatman and power forward Cevher Ozer, back and more stars added to the roster, Besiktas and head coach Burak Biyiktay has plenty of reasons to plan for a serious Eurocup run. Center Lonny Baxter and swingman Brad Newley give Besiktas four bona fide scoring threats and make it practically impossible for any team to double-team them. Chatman is the on-court team leader as a seasoned point guard who knows what it takes to win. He is backed up by Engin Atsur, a blossoming young playmaker. Newley teams with the athletic Muratcan Guler and the sharpshooting Haluk Yildrim to generate points on the wings. Ozer is a classic inside-outside threat, coming off his breakout year and ready to produce big results again. Baxter is a mighty low post scorer who can also step out and make jumpers. Kevin Fletcher and Adem Oren add size and strength to an already deep frontcourt with all the tools needed to win big games. And Besiktas plans on plenty of those this season.
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GROUP E
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Belgian League champion Spirou Basket is nothing but a classic team in Europe's second competition. Spirou is entering its eighth Eurocup season - something that only FMP has done so far - since the competition started in 2003. Moreover, the state-of-the-art Spiroudome hosted the then-called ULEB Cup final from 2004 to 2007. It is safe to say that Spirou is a trademark Eurocup team - and is also hoping to do better than ever. Spirou kept most of the players that won the Belgian League title last season. Jerry Johnson and Justin Hamilton are back to share the point guard duties. Johnson is a best scorer and clutch player while Hamilton is a physical guard with great determination. Spirou landed a couple of great shooters such as Nick Jacobson and Christopher Hill. Both are expected to balance Spirou's offense with their scoring skills. Dwayne Broyles will offer defense and know-how off the bench. Spirou kept its entire frontcourt that worked really well together last season. Wes Wilkinson, Len Matela, Andre Riddick - that leads the Eurocup All-time standings in rebounds, blocks and steals -, Jure Lalic and Sacha Massot. Spirou is now ready to go one step higher and challenge its best Eurocup season ever. |
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A veteran team with experience in all kind of European club competitions - including one Euroleague appearance in 1998 -, Turk Telekom has earned a reputation as a hard-to-beat team all over the continent. In its fourth Eurocup appearance, the initial goal is none other than take one game at the time and reach as high as possible. Telekom completely renewed its roster to become even more competitive. Former Eurocup champion Demond Mallet is its new floor general, offering deep range and court sense. Veteran playmaker Tutku Acik and up-and-coming point guard Sonen Senturk will be ready to come off the bench. Serkan Erdogan and Andre Owens will be their team's scoring references. Erdogan is one of the best shooters in European basketball, a silent assasin with unlimited range. He can create his own shot or come off a screen to pull the trigger from any distance. Owens offers know-how, speed and range. Bekir Yarangume will offer help at both wings. Versatile forward Lamayn Wilson leads Telekom's frontcourt this season. A good rebounder with mobility and range, Wilson will get help from veteran centers Huseyin Besok and Kris Lang, as well as from forwards Ersin Dagli and Umit Sonkol. If head coach Murat Ozyer finds the right chemistry, Telekom has a nice combination of talent and experience that will work well this season. |
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Spartak St. Petersburg
Russia
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Not your average Eurocup newcomer, Spartak St. Petersburg is back to the European basketball elite trying to live up to its won tradition. Spartak won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1973 and 1975 with legendary center Alexander Belov as its own superstar and comes off its best season in 15 years. The club landed Aleksandar Trifunovic as its new head coach and reloaded its roster to be ready for the challenge. Levance Fields became its starting point guard, a fast, aggressive playmaker with outstanding court vision. Former Euroleague champion Zakhar Pashutin offers experience, know-how and unlimited range at both guards, while Vasiliy Zavourev provides scoring skills and talent to the mix. Spartak brought in superb scorer Evgeny Koleshnikov, who is ready to fill the baskets at any time. Anton Yudin will see playing time at both wings off the bench. The key player has to be Yahor Meshcharakou, a well-rounded, versatile forward that always does anything his team needs to win. An all-around player, Meshcharakou will be Spartak's silent leader. Sharrod Ford is a solid addition at center due to his size, power and intensity. Roman Levter, Milovan Rakovic and Alexey Zozulin round Spartak's bench. Expect Spartak to be tough, aggressive and ready to beat anyone, anywhere. |
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GROUP F
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Benetton Gioco Digitale
Italy
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A classic team in European basketball, Benetton Gioco Digitale enters its third consecutive Eurocup season as one of the top candidates to lift the trophy next April. Benetton, a two-time Saporta Cup winner in 1995 and 1999, made it to the Final Eight last season and hopes to do even better in 2009-10. Benetton landed up-and-coming playmaker Daniel Hackett to lead its offense. Combo guard Davor Kus is set to help him in a key veteran role. Benetton managed to keep scoring machine Gary Neal and added a new shooter in small forward Cartier Martin. Jasmin Hukic is set to provide unlimited range, leadership and experience off the bench. Rebounding ace CJ Wallace and wel-rounded veteran Sandro Nicevic will see most minutes around the baskets. Both players can open the court with their long-distance shots. Benetton made a smart investment with the arrival of top prospect Donatas Motejiunas, a mobile big man with interesting post skills and determination. Talented forward Andrea Renzi rounds his team's froncourt, but he must step up to earn playing time throughout the season. Longtime assistant Frank Vitucci faces a big challenge in this first season as head coach: showing that Benetton stays as a reference in continental basketball. |
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No other team has a longer active Eurocup streak, so it is safe to say that Crvena Zvezda is a classic team in Europe's second competition. In its seventh consecutive Eurocup appearance, Zvezda put together a balanced, interesting team that will try to beat the expectations yet again this season. The club landed veteran coach Aco Petrovic to lead its new project, as well as inking Maurice Bailey as its new point guard. A good scorer with above-the-average court sense, Bailey is set to lead the team this season, with combo guards Boris Bakic and Vuk Radivojevic backing him up. Zvezda landed scoring ace Filip Videnov, who has an unique chance to bounce back fro a couple of underwhelming seasons and prove everyone that he is one of the best shooters in Europe. All-around swingman Nemanja Bjelica is a natural-born mismatch due to his ballhandling, size and speed. Bjelica simply has unlimited potential. Versatile forwards Elmedin Kikanovic and Tadija Dragicevic are talented big men with unlimited range and great basketball IQ. Oliver Stevic is set to see interesting playing time at power forward due to his rebounding skills and aggresiveness. Vladimir Stimac should start at center as one of the most interesting big men in European basketball. Expect Zvezda to create mismatches, play attractive basketball and do well in the 2009-10 Eurocup. |
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A classic team in European basketball returns to the Eurocup for the first time since 2005. Cholet Basket is always proud of developing young talent and being able to compete at the highest level, and its return to the Eurocup in 2009-10 should not be an exception. Cholet looked for a floor general in the off-season and found it in John Linehan, a small playmaker with big determination and leadership. A good scorer with court sense that tried to keep everyone involved, Linehan is right at the prime of his career and ready to prove his value in the competition. Combo guard Fabien Causeur and playmaker Arvydas Eitutavicius will be ready to back him up - even when Causeur will see most minutes as off-guard. Up-and-coming swingman Thomas Larroquis and scoring guard Samuel Mejia are set to see playing time at both wings. Mejia comes off the bench to offer intensity and instant offense, as Alex Barnett is expected to be Cholet's starting small forward. Claude Marquis and Randal Falker will be their team's starting frontcourt duo. Marquis is a very effective big man that rarely makes mistakes while Falker offers rebounding skills, defense and athleticism. Youngster Kevin Seraphin should provide intensity and size off the bench. A Last 16 spot would not be out of the question for Cholet. |
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With a host of experienced and accomplished players, former ULEB Cup champion Dynamo Moscow returns to the Eurocup aiming for the top. Dynamo came close last season, reaching the Final Eight for the second year running. With a few veterans of those teams back on board, like Sergey Bykov, Dmitry Domani and Sergey Monya, Dynamo has the experience and talent needed to make another run. Bykov starts the season as the leading playmaker, using his size and scoring abilities to his biggest advantage. Anton Glazunof figures to be his prime backup. The veteran Domani remains a reliable shooter and scorer, while the younger Iliya Syrovatko and Dimitry Khvostov will spell him. Monya looks poised for a breakout season at forward with his fantastic all-around game. Two-time Euroleague champion Alexey Savrasenko promises to be a major factor in the paint at both ends of the floor. Dynamo reminded all of its home-court advantage by drubbing Amsterdam by 30 in Game 2 of the Eurocup qualifying round. The team’s strong fan base will help Dynamo when it needs a push as this team looks to make another run at Eurocup glory.
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GROUP G
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A reference in French basketball, Sluc Nancy looks for a good Eurocup season to confirm its status as a solid team in European club competitions. Nancy hopes that the experience the club gained in the Euroleague last season is a first step to have a solid Eurocup season. Longtime coach Jean-Luc Monschau put together an athletic team ready to compete against anybody. Steed Tchicamboud returns as his team's starting point guard, offering athleticism and determination. Nancy's floor general, however, will be no other than Ricardo Greer, a do-it-all swingman with basketball IQ that can play anywhere from point guard to power forward. His brother Jeff will start at small forward, making the most out of his athleticism and deep range. John Cox is also back at shooting guard, ready to help the team in many ways. Nancy has a very interesting frontcourt this season, with four players able to offer many different skills. Akin Akingbala is a force of nature, a blue-collar big man with great timing to rebound and block shots. Kaniel Dickens is extremely athletic but can also open the court with his mid-range shots. Stephen Brun is a three-point specialist while Marcus Slaughter is an old-school center with great power, strength and rebounding skils. Nancy already won a Korac Cup title in 2002 - and wants to reach as high as possible in the 2009-10 Eurocup. |
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A veteran team in the competition, Gran Canaria 2014 hopes to break with its recent past and have its best Eurocup season ever. Gran Canaria did not survive a tough regular season group last season and is ready to do better in its sixth Eurocup appearance. Former Korac Cup winner and ULEB Cup finalist Pedro Martinez is back as the team's coach. Marcus Norris will be once again its floor general, offering court sense and experience, with Tomas Bellas and up-and-coming talent Oscar Alvarado coming off the bench. Gran Canaria landed a great shooter in Jaycee Carroll but kept a core of backcourt players featuring combo guard Josh Fisher, defensive ace Jim Moran and natural-born scorer Melvin Sanders. Gran Canaria is really deep around the baskets with big men Sitapha Savane and Will McDonald as its main references. Savane offers defense and know-how while McDonald is a blue-collar player with outstanding determination. Daniel Kickert will open the court with his long-distance shots while James Augustine is a solid rebounder that rarely makes mistakes. Expect Gran Canaria to fight for a Last 16 spot and then set new goals in what could be a historical Eurocup season for the club. |
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PGE Turow Zgorzelec
Poland
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Turow
Two years removed from its greatest success – a spot in the ULEB Cup Final Eight in its European competitions debut – PGE Turow Zgorzelec is back for another run at the top. Loaded with head coach Sasa Obradovic on the sidelines and some of the competition’s best players in recent years, big man Michael Wright and playmaker Willie Deane, there is hope in Zgorzelec of taking another step forward to becoming one of the Eurocup’s top clubs. Obradovic had a hand in rebuilding the roster as Turow signed seven new faces over the summer. Deane partners with Justin Gray to form a dynamic backcourt duo. Both players are quick point guards with experience who can score and create for others. Shooter Michal Chylinski could develop into an important scorer off the bench. Krzysztof Roszyk returns for a second season at small forward, while Wright is a premier low post scorer and Robert Witka a mobile big man. Konrad Wysocki provides extra defensive punch and veteran big man Adam Wojcik may see fewer minutes due to age, but his experience makes him a very effective weapon to bring in during key situations. If Turow’s big name stars remain healthy and if Chylinski has his long-awaited breakout season, Obradovic’s squad could march deep into the competition and have a real shot at Eurocup glory.
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By making it to the Last 16 last season, Panellinios proved that it has the right structure to reach high in this competition. Panellinios is now ready to once again beat the expectations in what will be its third Eurocup season - the last two surviving respective Qualifying Rounds to make it to Europe's second club competition. Panellinios is set to compete at the highest level again due to its deep roster, with well-rounded veteran player. Rod Blakney will be the team's starting point guard, with Vasilis Xanthopoulos and veteran Giorgos Kalaitzis coming off the bench. Panellinios landed Devin Smith, a good scorer with nice driving skills, to start at shooting guard. Three-point specialist Kostas Charalabidis and 2004 Eurocup finalist Manolis Papamakarios will come off the bench to provide intensity, deep range and experience. Britton Johnsen is a key piece for Panellinios, a natural-born mismatch with post moves and range. Center Ian Vougioukas has a key season in his development. With playng time, Vougioukas could go from intriguing prospect to a solid big man. Josh David, veteran center Djuro Ostojic and forward Markos Kolokas round Panellinios' frontcourt - giving coach Elias Zouros many options in offense. Expect Panellinios to be a tough team to beat anywhere, as the club fights to rewrite its own history. |
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GROUP H
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BK Ventspils won the Latvian League last season after a two-year absence, earning the right to play the Euroleague Qualifying Round. A loss against Benetton Gioco Digitale on points differential relegated Ventspils to play its sixth Eurocup season. Ventspils had a reputation for developing young talent and being a extremely tough team to beat at home - and it won't be any different this season. Ventspils relies on 20-year old playmaker Janis Strelnieks to be its floor general next season. His court sense and leadership, however, is out of the question. Tony Lee is set to help him at the point guard duties. Scoring guard Dairis Bertans is also an interesting prospect, a great shooter with unlimited range and no fear, anytime. Athletic swingman Mareks Jurevicus - a young veteran in this team at age 24 - and Arturs Strelnieks round Ventspils' backcourt, with Ernests Kalve hoping to have a breakout season at small forward. Aaron Pettway is a solid choice at center, as he is an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker. Blue-collar forward Ronalds Zakis and up-and-coming center Arturs Berzins will help Pettway down low. As usual, Ventspils is ready to fight and beat the expectations in the 2009-10 Eurocup season. |
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CEZ Basketball Nymburk
Czech Republic
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Perennial Czech League champion CEZ Basketball Nymburk returns to the Eurocup ready to bounce back from an underwhelming 2008-09 season. Nymburk missed the LAst 16 by a single basket last season, but reloaded its roster with the ambition to please its many fans in an up-and-coming basketball country like the Czech Republic. Arthur Lee is back as its starting point guard, providing good court vision, driving skills and leadership. Mike Lenzly is set to be his backup but both players will probably share playing time together. Ron Lewis is a natural-born scorer ready to fill the baskets all over the continent. With Lewis as its main scoring reference, small forward and three-point specialist Ladislav Sokolovsky and off-guard Michal Kremen will also see playing time at both wings. The team got much stronger around the baskets with Phil Ricci and Ian Hanavan. Even when Nymburk's frontcourt may be a bit undersized, Ricci is a good post player and rebounder while Hanavan runs the floor well and can help the team in many ways with his all-around game. Petr Benda provides mid-range shots and solid post skills while Radek Necas can provide size, defense and intensity off the bench. Nymburk will look for a Last 16 spot and try to take it from there. |
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Lauretana Biella makes its European competition debut this season with a promising cast of characters that could turn lots of heads. Head coach Luca Bechi presides over a deep roster hungry for more success after reaching the Italian League semifinals last year. Though only three rotation players return from last season, Bechi and co. sparkled the squad with fine additions more than worthy of the Eurocup stage. Two of the clubs returnees are in the backcourt, where combo guard Pietro Aradori is a rising star and Joe Smith a bona fide scorer. They are joined by athletic swingman Fred Jones who can dominates games from both sides of the ball, and veteran shooter Matteo Soragna, who adds important experience for a team with lofty goals. Carl Ona Embo is a top prospect at point guard, who could be ready to contribute this season. Inside, Pervis Pasco is an excellent rebounder to anchor the froncourt, where he’ll play alongside inside-outside threat Luca Garri, the seasoned Sven Schultze and Kieron Achara, who may be on the verge of becoming a top European big man. All signs point to victories and a strong campaign for Biella, which could be on the road to becoming the next great force in Italian basketball.
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It was not a season to remember in the Eurocup for Brose Baskets Bamberg last year, but that means the club is all the more inspired to put it behind and move on in a big way this year. Last season saw head coach Chris Fleming’s squad finish the regular season without a win, despite a handful of close games. We already know that the 2009-10 edition can win close games, evidenced by its advancing through the Eurocup qualifying rounds by a single points on aggregate. That achievement could propel Brose Baskets to a positive start to the Eurocup season. The squad features a number of well-known faces, led by former German League MVP Casey Jacobsen and veteran forward Predrag Suput. John Goldsberry and Brian Roberts will do most of the ball handling, though Goldsberry is more of a natural playmaker and Roberts a slasher and scorer. Robert Garrett joins Jacobsen on the wings, while Suput is an old-school small forward who can do a little bit of everything. Elton Brown is a big presence and solid scorer in the paint. He will team up with promising center Tibor Pleiss and power forward Eric Taylor to form a healthy frontcourt rotation. There is no doubt that the talent and attitude are in place for Brose Baskets to return to its winning ways in the Eurocup.
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