Last 16 groups breakdown, Group J 2 january 2012
Eurocupbasketball.com
Three traditional teams in continental competitions and one of the fastest-growing teams in recent years meet in Group J, in what promises to be a tough battle to make it to the playoffs. No team will be more motivated than still-undefeated BC Khimki, as the Eurocup Finals take place in its own arena and lost the Eurocup title game in 2009. It leads the competition in assists (20 apg.) and has a nice mix of youth and experience — coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, Matt Nielsen and Thomas Kelati won the Eurocup in the past. Asvel Basket gets to the Last 16 with a core of young, ambitious, talented players ready to keep showcasing their skills all around the continent. It was the last team to reach the Last 16 — and wants to keep surviving. Aris BSA 2003 is playing a very attractive, athletic basketball that is making its fans go crazy. It needed an overtime win to qualify, but Aris won't be an easy opponent to anyone. Donetsk is the sleeper in this group, as it has well-rounded, veteran players ready to challenge anyone, anywhere. Donetsk is a very balanced team that has not lost a Eurocup games since late November, so expect the Ukrainian powerhouse to be a tough opponent.
BC KHIMKI
Won Group B with a 6-0 record.
THE STAR
KRESIMIR LONCAR
Experienced, solid and ready, Kresimir Loncar has gone from a very good complement to the star of a Eurocup contender. He leads Khimki in index ranking (17.5) and points (13 ppg.), being also second in rebounds (4.7 rpg.). Loncar leads the 2011-12 Eurocup in ranking per minute (0.91).
KEEP AN EYE ON...
ZORAN PLANINIC
By leading BC Khimki in playing time, Planinic shows how important he has become to coach Rimas Kurtinaitis. He ties for second place in assists (5.5 rpg.) in this year's Eurocup and offers Khimki leadership, experience and poise. Expect him to do even better from now on.
THE FACT
Vitaly Fridzon is the only player in Khimki who was present at the Eurocup title game that the club lost to Lietuvos Rytas in 2008-09. Coach Kurtinaitis was also there, but on the winning side. That gives Kurtinaitis the chance to become the first coach to win the Eurocup twice.
ASVEL BASKET
Won Group D with a 4-2 record.
THE STAR
KIM TILLIE
Asvel has a nice core of young, talented players but no-one has shined more than Kim Tillie, who leads his team in points (11.8 ppg.), rebounds (5.7 rpg.) and performance index rating (15.2). His last-second jumper against Lukoil allowed Asvel to avoid elimination and win Group D.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
DIJON THOMPSON
With so many good, young players around, experience is very valuable. In his fourth Eurocup season with as many teams, Dijon Thompson not only offers know-how, but is a good offensive weapon (11.3 ppg., 52.4% 3FG) ready to make the difference in crunch time, just as always.
THE FACT
Phil Goss and Thompson are the most veteran players in the team at age 28. Apart from them, only Hilton Armstrong (27) is over 23 years old. Rotation players like Leo Westermann, Livio Jean-Charles or Paul Lacombe were born in the 1990s. Asvel is young, ambitious and ready.
BC DONETSK
Placed second in Group A with a 5-1 record.
THE STAR
RAMEL CURRY
A well-rounded veteran who has filled the baskets all around the continent, Ramel Curry has been unstoppable so far. Curry overcame some physical problems to average 19.8 points in his team's four-game winning streak. He leads Donetsk in scoring (16.3 ppg.) and steals (1.2 spg.).
KEEP AN EYE ON...
IVAN RADENOVIC
A great fit at power forward, Ivan Radenovic is making the most out of his smooth post skills and mobility. Radenovic (10.7 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 2 apg.) is Donetsk' main scoring reference around the basket. He reached the 2008 ULEB Cup final with Akasvayu Girona — and wants more this season.
THE FACT
Donetsk ties for first place in total rebounds at 40.3 per game. Only one player, however, averages more than 6 boards — Michael Lee (8.4 rpg.). Seven other Donetsk teammates average at 2.4 rebounds or better, showing the team is boxing out and powering the offensive board.
ARIS BSA 2003
Second in Group C with a 4-2 record
THE STAR
CHRISTOS TAPOUTOS
A silent leader that always thinks team first, Christos Tapoutos is doing a little bit of everything for Aris BSA 2003 this season. His numbers (10 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 2.2 apg., 12.2 index) prove it, as Tapoutos will keep offering Aris versatility, experience and character in the Last 16.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
DOMINIC JAMES
An all-around point guard with athleticism and power, Dominic James has shined in the 2011-12 Eurocup so far, averaging 15.3 points and 2.5 assists. He leads all Last 16 games in fould drawn at 6 per game. James and teammate Sergio Kerush will keep offering showtime to all Aris fans.
THE FACT
Five of Aris' seven best scorers — James, Ron Davis, Kerush, Dan Mavraides and Sam Muldrow — did not have previous Eurocup experience. With 6 regular season games together, Aris should get even better in the Last 16 — but also easier to be scouted.
Won Group B with a 6-0 record.
THE STAR
KRESIMIR LONCAR
Experienced, solid and ready, Kresimir Loncar has gone from a very good complement to the star of a Eurocup contender. He leads Khimki in index ranking (17.5) and points (13 ppg.), being also second in rebounds (4.7 rpg.). Loncar leads the 2011-12 Eurocup in ranking per minute (0.91).
KEEP AN EYE ON...
ZORAN PLANINIC
By leading BC Khimki in playing time, Planinic shows how important he has become to coach Rimas Kurtinaitis. He ties for second place in assists (5.5 rpg.) in this year's Eurocup and offers Khimki leadership, experience and poise. Expect him to do even better from now on.
THE FACT
Vitaly Fridzon is the only player in Khimki who was present at the Eurocup title game that the club lost to Lietuvos Rytas in 2008-09. Coach Kurtinaitis was also there, but on the winning side. That gives Kurtinaitis the chance to become the first coach to win the Eurocup twice.
ASVEL BASKET
Won Group D with a 4-2 record.
THE STAR
KIM TILLIE
Asvel has a nice core of young, talented players but no-one has shined more than Kim Tillie, who leads his team in points (11.8 ppg.), rebounds (5.7 rpg.) and performance index rating (15.2). His last-second jumper against Lukoil allowed Asvel to avoid elimination and win Group D.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
DIJON THOMPSON
With so many good, young players around, experience is very valuable. In his fourth Eurocup season with as many teams, Dijon Thompson not only offers know-how, but is a good offensive weapon (11.3 ppg., 52.4% 3FG) ready to make the difference in crunch time, just as always.
THE FACT
Phil Goss and Thompson are the most veteran players in the team at age 28. Apart from them, only Hilton Armstrong (27) is over 23 years old. Rotation players like Leo Westermann, Livio Jean-Charles or Paul Lacombe were born in the 1990s. Asvel is young, ambitious and ready.
BC DONETSK
Placed second in Group A with a 5-1 record.
THE STAR
RAMEL CURRY
A well-rounded veteran who has filled the baskets all around the continent, Ramel Curry has been unstoppable so far. Curry overcame some physical problems to average 19.8 points in his team's four-game winning streak. He leads Donetsk in scoring (16.3 ppg.) and steals (1.2 spg.).
KEEP AN EYE ON...
IVAN RADENOVIC
A great fit at power forward, Ivan Radenovic is making the most out of his smooth post skills and mobility. Radenovic (10.7 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 2 apg.) is Donetsk' main scoring reference around the basket. He reached the 2008 ULEB Cup final with Akasvayu Girona — and wants more this season.
THE FACT
Donetsk ties for first place in total rebounds at 40.3 per game. Only one player, however, averages more than 6 boards — Michael Lee (8.4 rpg.). Seven other Donetsk teammates average at 2.4 rebounds or better, showing the team is boxing out and powering the offensive board.
ARIS BSA 2003
Second in Group C with a 4-2 record
THE STAR
CHRISTOS TAPOUTOS
A silent leader that always thinks team first, Christos Tapoutos is doing a little bit of everything for Aris BSA 2003 this season. His numbers (10 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 2.2 apg., 12.2 index) prove it, as Tapoutos will keep offering Aris versatility, experience and character in the Last 16.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
DOMINIC JAMES
An all-around point guard with athleticism and power, Dominic James has shined in the 2011-12 Eurocup so far, averaging 15.3 points and 2.5 assists. He leads all Last 16 games in fould drawn at 6 per game. James and teammate Sergio Kerush will keep offering showtime to all Aris fans.
THE FACT
Five of Aris' seven best scorers — James, Ron Davis, Kerush, Dan Mavraides and Sam Muldrow — did not have previous Eurocup experience. With 6 regular season games together, Aris should get even better in the Last 16 — but also easier to be scouted.
Source
http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcup/home/news/i/9174...
