By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
It’s been two months since the last edition of the 7DAYS EuroCup and the final stretch of the regular season proved to be more than unpredictable. Just before the start of the Top 16, the only thing that everyone agrees on is that Virtus Segafredo Bologna is the main title contender and everything else seems possible. That’s why this season, big jumps in the Power Rankings seem to be possible. And there’s a French revolution going on.
1. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (10-0) –
How do you improve an unbeaten EuroCup team? You sign Marco Belinelli. With a 10-0 record, a formidable roster, and high ambitions, Virtus is without a doubt the team to beat.
2. Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar (8-2) +1
Lokomotiv Kuban remains high in the Power Rankings. The team has lost only to Virtus – twice – but the real concern here is the injury to Alan Williams, who was having his best season ever. It remains to be seen how this affects them, but so far they are among the elite.
3. Herbalife Gran Canaria (8-2) +1
Granca managed to finish atop Group D and has emerged as the best Spanish team in the competition so far. The numbers are in its favor with a 5-1 record since the last version of the power rankings.
4. Joventut Badalona (8-2) +3
After a 5-0 start, Joventut finished with a 3-2 record to close the regular season. Still, you can’t deny that this team is still on the rise and it earned the top spot in Group A, keeping its distance from main rival UNICS Kazan.
5. Unicaja Malaga (7-3) -3
Injury woes remain a problem for Unicaja and its drop has to do more with other teams outperforming than with its abilities. Unicaja finished second in the tie with Boulogne Metropolitans 92 in Group B but remains one of the most experienced contenders in the competition.
6. AS Monaco (6-4) –
This is one of the few teams that didn’t change positions and for a good reason. You can’t get much stronger than Monaco. It was tested against Virtus and Lokomotiv in Group C, so don’t be surprised if it emerges as a top dog in the Top 16.