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Nov 26, 2016, 8:56 pm
ROUND 9 UPDATE
Ahead of the Field: CSKA MOSCOW (8-1), REAL MADRID (7-2)
A tough loss in Turkey to Darrusafaka, in which Nando de Colo lost 8 turnovers and Milos Teodosic was held to 4/12 from the field, is the only blemish on CKSA's resume so far this season. A dominating fourth quarter vs Zalgiris and three dominant quarters vs Baskonia followed their lone loss and have kept them in 1st place, with the best offense in the league.
As for Real, they are counting 3 straight wins since their 1 point loss to CSKA and boast the league's best point difference. They absolutely dismantled Barcelona (in Barcelona!) in an unbelievably one sided "Classico", which included what is sure to be the block of the year by Anthony Randolph.
Nearing the Top: FENERBAHCE (6-3), MACCABI TEL AVIV (5-4)
Both teams met in Istanbul in Round 7, with Maccabi coming away victorious thanks to fantastic performances by Sonny Weems and Yogev Ohayon. The Yellows have won 3 straight after a mediocre start to the season, including an impressive away victory over Olympiacos. They're favorites for their next 3 games (Efes and Brose at home and an away game in Belgrade), so don't be surprised to see them near the top of the standings for the foreseeable future.
Fenerbahce broke their 3 game losing streak with a win over Efes, before beating Milano as well. Kostas Sloukas has been the main factor in their recovery, averaging nearly 20 points on 72% shooting over the two wins. Three of their next four games are at home, and they'll try to capitalize on their momentum, starting with a very tough challenge against Real Madrid.
Middle of the Pack: PANATHINAIKOS (5-4), DARRUSAFAKA (5-4), OLYMPIACOS (5-4), BASKONIA (5-4)
Olympiacos won hard fought battles with Barcelona and Panathinaikos before suffering a tough home loss to Maccabi. It seems like far too much of the workload is set on Vassilis Spanoulis' aging shoulders, though, and he isn't getting enough help from his supporting cast.
Panathinaikos have played better than their record suggests. They lost to Real and Olympiacos by a combined 5 points before defeating Darrusafaka behind Ioannis Bourousis' 18 points in 18 minutes (including 14/18 from the free throw line!).
Baskonia have shown some inconsistency this season and each of their past two wins has been followed by a loss. They were demolished by CSKA in Moscow in round 9, and will hope to take advantage of their coming home stand against Darussafaka and Galatasaray. Andrea Bargnani has failed to impress since returning from his injury, but Shane Larkin and Rodrigue Beaubois have put in solid performances.
Finally, after a fantastic start to the season, including a win over CSKA, Darussafaka have lost their last two games (both away games) and have slipped to 7th place. Their upcoming schedule is rough, as they return home to host Olympiacos before meeting Baskonia (away), Real (home), Fenerbahce (away) and Maccabi (home).
Losing Ground: EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILANO (4-5), FC BARCELONA (4-5)
Milano recovered from their early season 3 game losing streak with two home wins, but followed with two losses, including a terrible performance in Belgrade. Milan Macvan has cooled down considerably after two excellent games to start the season, and Miroslav Radulijca missed the last game with an injury. Most importantly, however, Milano have been held under 80 points for the past 3 games after boasting the league's best offense after Round 6.
Barcelona are in a deep downward spiral, riding a 3 game losing streak. They were held to just 52 points against Olympiacos and lost by 39 points to Real Madrid before losing to Galatasaray thanks to a 3rd quarter meltdown. Tyrese Rice has been struggling to carry the team alone, averaging 16.4 points, but shooting just 37.5% from the field. Barca will have to recover soon or risk falling far behind in the playoff race.
Recovering: CRVENA ZVEZDA (4-5), ANADOLU EFES ISTANBUL (4-5), ZALGIRIS KAUNAS (3-6), GALATASARAY (3-6)
Efes have gone 4-2 since losing their first 3 games of the season and have taken advantage of home games against Belgrade and Kazan. They boast a balanced attack, with 5 players averaging double figures, which places them 3rd in the league in points scored. An away win over Maccabi in their next match would show they're serious about entering the playoff conversation.
Crvena Zvezda continue to show the league's top defense, alongside it's worst offense. The defense collapsed against Efes, allowing them to score 100 points. They have a must win game against Zalgiris before meeting some of the league's top teams during December: Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Maccabi, Real and CSKA.
Zalgiris suffered a 4 game losing streak, but have won 2 of their past 3 games, with the loss coming in Moscow after putting up a good fight. 3 of their next 4 games are away from home, including a very big challenge in Madrid. They will need more huge performances from Brock Motum (who scored 50 points combined in round 6+7) and veteran Paulius Jankunas (who exploded for 30 against CSKA and is averaging 14 points on 50.6% shooting) in order to mount a playoff challenge.
Galatasaray own the longest losing streak of the season (5 losses) but have recovered with 3 wins in their past 4 games. However, all 3 wins have been at home, and their next two games are at Baskonia and Panathinaikos. They've played away from home just 3 times this season and have yet to register a win. Winning one of their next two games will be a solid achievement.
Bottom Dwellers: UNICS KAZAN (2-7), BROSE BAMBERG (2-7)
Brose have continued a very disappointing start to the season and are on a 4 game losing streak. Shockingly, their first 5 losses came at a combined 11 points (!) and they have lost just one games by double digits. Unfortunately, things won't get easier for the Germans as they are set to face league leaders CSKA and Real and the hot Maccabi and Efes in their next few games.
Kazan have failed to surpass expectations and find themselves in last place in the league. Keith Langford continues to lead the league in scoring, and they nearly managed to surprise Maccabi at home, but the Russians don't have much going for them. Another weak month in December, and they can start planning on an early exit from the Euroleague this season.
Ahead of the Field: CSKA MOSCOW (8-1), REAL MADRID (7-2)
A tough loss in Turkey to Darrusafaka, in which Nando de Colo lost 8 turnovers and Milos Teodosic was held to 4/12 from the field, is the only blemish on CKSA's resume so far this season. A dominating fourth quarter vs Zalgiris and three dominant quarters vs Baskonia followed their lone loss and have kept them in 1st place, with the best offense in the league.
As for Real, they are counting 3 straight wins since their 1 point loss to CSKA and boast the league's best point difference. They absolutely dismantled Barcelona (in Barcelona!) in an unbelievably one sided "Classico", which included what is sure to be the block of the year by Anthony Randolph.
Nearing the Top: FENERBAHCE (6-3), MACCABI TEL AVIV (5-4)
Both teams met in Istanbul in Round 7, with Maccabi coming away victorious thanks to fantastic performances by Sonny Weems and Yogev Ohayon. The Yellows have won 3 straight after a mediocre start to the season, including an impressive away victory over Olympiacos. They're favorites for their next 3 games (Efes and Brose at home and an away game in Belgrade), so don't be surprised to see them near the top of the standings for the foreseeable future.
Fenerbahce broke their 3 game losing streak with a win over Efes, before beating Milano as well. Kostas Sloukas has been the main factor in their recovery, averaging nearly 20 points on 72% shooting over the two wins. Three of their next four games are at home, and they'll try to capitalize on their momentum, starting with a very tough challenge against Real Madrid.
Middle of the Pack: PANATHINAIKOS (5-4), DARRUSAFAKA (5-4), OLYMPIACOS (5-4), BASKONIA (5-4)
Olympiacos won hard fought battles with Barcelona and Panathinaikos before suffering a tough home loss to Maccabi. It seems like far too much of the workload is set on Vassilis Spanoulis' aging shoulders, though, and he isn't getting enough help from his supporting cast.
Panathinaikos have played better than their record suggests. They lost to Real and Olympiacos by a combined 5 points before defeating Darrusafaka behind Ioannis Bourousis' 18 points in 18 minutes (including 14/18 from the free throw line!).
Baskonia have shown some inconsistency this season and each of their past two wins has been followed by a loss. They were demolished by CSKA in Moscow in round 9, and will hope to take advantage of their coming home stand against Darussafaka and Galatasaray. Andrea Bargnani has failed to impress since returning from his injury, but Shane Larkin and Rodrigue Beaubois have put in solid performances.
Finally, after a fantastic start to the season, including a win over CSKA, Darussafaka have lost their last two games (both away games) and have slipped to 7th place. Their upcoming schedule is rough, as they return home to host Olympiacos before meeting Baskonia (away), Real (home), Fenerbahce (away) and Maccabi (home).
Losing Ground: EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILANO (4-5), FC BARCELONA (4-5)
Milano recovered from their early season 3 game losing streak with two home wins, but followed with two losses, including a terrible performance in Belgrade. Milan Macvan has cooled down considerably after two excellent games to start the season, and Miroslav Radulijca missed the last game with an injury. Most importantly, however, Milano have been held under 80 points for the past 3 games after boasting the league's best offense after Round 6.
Barcelona are in a deep downward spiral, riding a 3 game losing streak. They were held to just 52 points against Olympiacos and lost by 39 points to Real Madrid before losing to Galatasaray thanks to a 3rd quarter meltdown. Tyrese Rice has been struggling to carry the team alone, averaging 16.4 points, but shooting just 37.5% from the field. Barca will have to recover soon or risk falling far behind in the playoff race.
Recovering: CRVENA ZVEZDA (4-5), ANADOLU EFES ISTANBUL (4-5), ZALGIRIS KAUNAS (3-6), GALATASARAY (3-6)
Efes have gone 4-2 since losing their first 3 games of the season and have taken advantage of home games against Belgrade and Kazan. They boast a balanced attack, with 5 players averaging double figures, which places them 3rd in the league in points scored. An away win over Maccabi in their next match would show they're serious about entering the playoff conversation.
Crvena Zvezda continue to show the league's top defense, alongside it's worst offense. The defense collapsed against Efes, allowing them to score 100 points. They have a must win game against Zalgiris before meeting some of the league's top teams during December: Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Maccabi, Real and CSKA.
Zalgiris suffered a 4 game losing streak, but have won 2 of their past 3 games, with the loss coming in Moscow after putting up a good fight. 3 of their next 4 games are away from home, including a very big challenge in Madrid. They will need more huge performances from Brock Motum (who scored 50 points combined in round 6+7) and veteran Paulius Jankunas (who exploded for 30 against CSKA and is averaging 14 points on 50.6% shooting) in order to mount a playoff challenge.
Galatasaray own the longest losing streak of the season (5 losses) but have recovered with 3 wins in their past 4 games. However, all 3 wins have been at home, and their next two games are at Baskonia and Panathinaikos. They've played away from home just 3 times this season and have yet to register a win. Winning one of their next two games will be a solid achievement.
Bottom Dwellers: UNICS KAZAN (2-7), BROSE BAMBERG (2-7)
Brose have continued a very disappointing start to the season and are on a 4 game losing streak. Shockingly, their first 5 losses came at a combined 11 points (!) and they have lost just one games by double digits. Unfortunately, things won't get easier for the Germans as they are set to face league leaders CSKA and Real and the hot Maccabi and Efes in their next few games.
Kazan have failed to surpass expectations and find themselves in last place in the league. Keith Langford continues to lead the league in scoring, and they nearly managed to surprise Maccabi at home, but the Russians don't have much going for them. Another weak month in December, and they can start planning on an early exit from the Euroleague this season.