By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
At the halfway point of the 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season, it’s time to revisit the Power Rankings. A lot of things have changed.
The Spanish and the French teams proved to be better than expected while Buducnost VOLI is delivering and Dolomiti Energia Trento is the new trend from Italy.
With the rule being that the biggest jump permitted in the standings forward or backward is six positions, here are the upcoming rankings which include quite a few surprises.
1. Segafredo Virtus Bologna (5-0)
The Italians are the team to beat and they are proving it on the court, being the only perfect team in very competitive Group C. The numbers are in this team’s favor. Virtus has won three games on the road already and is clearly aiming for the trophy and a spot in the EuroLeague.
2. Unicaja Malaga (4-1)
Despite its share of injury woes and COVID-related issues, Unicaja is back for good and may end up being the main obstacle that Virtus will have to overcome in order to get the trophy. Its only defeat came on the road to Mornar Bar, so the Spaniards are still in full control of the Group B standings.
3. Lokomotiv Kuban (4-1) +2
Can this be the year of Loko after all? They lost only to Virtus by six points on the road and Alan Williams is making a case for being the best big man in the competition. That’s why they have climbed two spots in the Power Rankings and they are aiming for higher ground if they can beat the Italians at home.
4. Herbalife Gran Canaria (3-1) +5
This is the first big jump in the rankings as Gran Canaria is emerging as a solid contender despite parting ways with Amedeo Della Valle. However, sometimes less is more and so far they have proven that by getting two road wins in three games, losing only to Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.
5. AS Monaco (3-2) -1
Monaco lost one position and two games so far, but in their defense, they are part of Group C, which includes Virtus and Lokomotiv, the number one and number three teams of the rankings. Those are the two teams that have defeated the French side and especially that home defeat by Loko hurt them a lot, practically pushing them down to number 5, instead of elevating them to number 3.