Post-draw analysis, comments: Group H

Oct 05, 2013 by Eurocupbasketball.com Print

Spartak St. Petersburg
Spartak Saint Petersburg

Spartak has proven in recent years to be one of the strongest teams in the Eurocup and this season should be no different. Recent addition Steve Burtt Jr. brings elite scoring ability, which will be aided by playmaker Donnie McGrath, center Jared Homan and power forward Konstantin Nesterov. Forward Yaroslav Korolev will get a chance to fulfill his immense potential, while a handful of young Russian players also look to make their mark this season.

Besiktas Integral Forex Istanbul

Besiktas jumps into a new season with a lot of fresh and very young blood. Center Tomislav Ruzic, swingmen Muratcan Guler and Caner Topaloglu and three-point ace Chris Lofton provide some much-needed experience, however among seven players on the roster aged 25 or younger, rookies center Colten Iverson, Aussie forward Ryan Broekhoff and scoring guard Kevin Foster will be relied upon heavily, too.

Panionios Athens
Panionios BC Athens

Panionios retooled over the summer and looks to hit the ground running in the Eurocup. Running won’t be a problem with fleet-footed point guard Errick McCollum running the show. Shot blocker Guy-Marc Michel will anchor the defense and create even more transition opportunities for the likes of Christos Saloustros, Landon Milbourne and Marc Antonio Carter. Veterans Marios Batis at point guard and Vassilis Symtsak in the paint should also feature prominently this season.

Neptunas Klaipeda

Neptunas Klaipeda will add to the team’s lengthy history with its maiden appearance in the Eurocup. The roster is designed mainly among local talents, with the likes of forward Valdas Vasilius, center Vytautas Sarakauskas and guards Marius Runkauskas and Arvydas Eitutavicius destined for big roles. Foreign additions center Andre Smith and small forward David McClure further bolster a team whose chemistry will be a key weapon in its success.

Radnicki Kragujevac

Eurocup newcomer opens a new chapter in its history with a new, young but athletic bunch. Newcomer veteran Marko Marinovic is the eldest on the roster, and his experience will help rookie D.J. Seeley running the show. A lot is expected on both ends of the floor from a young forward Nikola Kalinic, while rookie center Mouphtaou Yarou is trusted to control the paint with his size and atheliticims.

Bisons Loimaa

Finnish champion of Bisons Loimaa will face its first Eurocup season with experienced guard Billy Keys running the team. Veteran Frank Robinson, big man Ralph Sampson III and forward Justin Hawkins are others American arrivals this Summer. National team players such as Mikko Koivisto, an outstanding shooter, and power forward Tuukka Kotti as well as young swingman Carl Lindbom will push the team on the European stage.

POST-DRAW COMMENTS

Neptunas Klaipeda general manager Osvaldas Kurauskas:

"We are pretty happy with our regular season group. Right now, in a first look to the results, I think that we have a chance to advance to the next stage. That's my first impression. We are sorry that Kalev / Cramo are not in our group, too. We wish we could have played against them."

Spartak St. Petersburg sports director Stanislav Momot:

"It was a not a bad draw for us. It can always be better or worse but we cannot complain. We will travel to big basketball countries and our main goal right now is to qualify to the next round. We cannot think on anything else but reaching the Last 32. Euroleague teams will play from that moment, making the tournament even stronger."

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Post-draw analysis, comments: Group H

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