Head-to-Head matchups: FC Barcelona Regal vs. Unics - News - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL

Head-to-Head matchups: FC Barcelona Regal vs. Unics

Mar 14, 2012 by Euroleague.net Print

FC Barcelona Regal

FC Barcelona Regal vs. Unics
Head-to-Head matchups

Unics

Guards
Marcelinho Huertas	The unquestionable leader of FC Barcelona Regal’s magnificent squad is Juan Carlos Navarro, who in addition to being a former MVP and the Euroleague’s all-time leading scorer, is a team player and a go-to guy in clutch situations. Starting point guard Marcelinho Huertas leads the team in assists and brings an exciting flair to the attack. Backup point guard Victor Sada is a homegrown talent, a great athlete and a disruptive force on defense. Unics’s most important player is also its shooting guard. Henry Domercant, the only Unics player to start every game, is enjoying his finest season as one of the league’s best shooters and most lethal scorers. Backcourt mate Petr Samoylenko has also turned in a fine campaign at both ends of the floor. Combo guard Terrell Lyday is second on the team in scoring, assists and steals. Sixth man Lynn Greer, a former Euroleague scoring champ, is simply instant offense.	Petr Samoylenko

Forwards
Chuck Eidson	Barcelona’s most productive player this season has been power forward Erazem Lorbek, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding and seems to conduct a shooting clinic every game. No player is more complete than swingman Chuck Eidson, who has a superb basketball IQ and can seemingly do it all, however a knee injury could limit his availability for the series. Small forward Pete Mickeal is the perfect glue player for Barcelona and adept at meeting the team’s needs in any given game. In his first full Euroleague season, fearless forward Joe Ingles has impacted many a game off the bench with clutch shooting. Though C.J. Wallace’s minutes have been limited, there is no questioning the impact he brings to the floor as a stellar rebounder good shooter. Veteran small forward Kelly McCarty is among Unics’s leaders on and off the floor. His all-around game and experience make him a serious threat. Starting power forward Mike Wilkinson is a tireless worker and efficient scorer, while reserve Vladimir Veremeenko’s energy in the paint and rebounding skills are both game-changing traits. Mid-season signing Boki Nachbar has the scoring ability to carry Unics for stretches.	Kelly McCarty

Centers
Boni Ndong	Perhaps the deepest frontline in the Euroleague belongs to Barcelona. The giant Kosta Perovic has good feet and a smooth touch, which make him almost impossible when he gets the ball inside. Likewise, his shot-blocking skills impact the game at the other end. When it comes to shot-blocking, Fran Vazquez is the Euroleague’s all-time leader. He is also among the best ever at lifting his team by throwing down powerful alley-oop jams. And veteran Boni Ndong has become a fan favorite because of his tough play and great energy. The first half of Unics’s center tandem is Aleksey Savrasenko, who is among the most experienced centers in the competition. He is also an efficient scorer and an intimidating presence on defense. Nathan Jawai, who is playing just his second Euroleague season, is among the most powerful players in the Euroleague, though foul trouble has plagued him at times.	Aleksey Savrasenko

Coaches
Xavi Pascual	Two of the great young coaches in the Euroleague meet in this series, though it is not the biggest stage they have squared off against each other on. Barcelona coach Xavi Pascual led his team to a 64-54 victory over CSKA Moscow, then coached by Evgeny Pashutin, in the semifinals of the 2010 Euroleague Final Four in Paris. Barca went on to win the title. In their brief careers, each has accomplished almost unparalleled results. Pascual took over the head coaching duties at Barcelona midway through the 2007-08 season and has led the team to the playoffs in five straight years, two Final Fours, one Euroleague title plus two Spanish League crowns and two Spanish King’s Cup successes. Pashutin, who had a successful career as a player, served as an assistant coach under Ettore Messina on CSKA Moscow’s Euroleague winning squads and won the gold medal with the Russian national team at the 2005 European U-20 Championship in his first head coaching gig. He took over for Messina at CSKA in 2009, led the team to the domestic championship and the Euroleague Final Four. The last season, his first with Unics, he captured Eurocup glory.	Evgeny Pashutin

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