By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With few notable exceptions, everything has changed in the second edition of the BKT EuroCup Power Rankings. Only three teams kept the same position, and while this may seem normal, six have already made the maximum permitted six-position jump – since the initial rankings remain the base, or else we would just follow the standings – and three more have changed their position by five spots.
That’s the nature of the competition, with U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse, and Paris Basketball stealing the show, while Umana Reyer Venice, 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys and Turk Telekom Ankara have unexpectedly disappointed so far.
Especially those three teams that have high expectations but just one win so far, they have already dug themselves into a hole and need to react as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we already have three early coaching changes.
20. Slask Wroclaw 0-5 (-)
Slask had a bad start in the season, however, they were competitive against Cluj-Napoca and Ulm, losing by three and five points respectively. Still, they need to do more and the recent coaching change might help.
19. Veolia Towers Hamburg 0-5 (-2)
The situation is already troubling for the Germans. In four of their losses, they conceded more than 100+ points and they are far from being dangerous practically to anyone.
18. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 0-5 (-3)
Except for one close game against Joventut Badalona, Cedevita Olimpija once more is underperforming and they must do better. Or they will end up once more being one of the disappointments of the EuroCup.
17. Dolomiti Energia Trento 2-3 (+2)
They already have two wins, while last season in total they had four. The improvement is already considerable and they are, so far, a pleasant surprise in the competition.
16. Aris Midea Thessaloniki 2-3 (-3)
They proved to be contenders for the playoffs, as was expected from them, bringing their unique home-court experience in the EuroCup. On a steady course so far after beating Turk Telekom, but they got pushed back on the rankings, due to the downfall of the next two teams.
15. Umana Reyer Venice 1-4 (-6)
They expected better and beat Joventut, but that was their only positive result. In theory, they should drop even more and the six-position rule keeps them afloat – at least until next time, if they don’t improve.
14. 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 1-4 (-6)
The one-point loss to Trento is the main reason for Lietkabelis’ downfall. They have only one home win so far, against Aris, plus three losses on the road which resulted in a coaching change.
13. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 2-3 (-3)
They are experiencing a slow start and the upcoming home game against Aris seems already to be crucial for them. However, they are pretty much doing as expected.
12. U-BT Cluj-Napoca 4-1 (+6)
Has Cluj-Napoca finally arrived? You can say so and the only reason they are not higher is our six-spots rule. Still, they are already in a spot that leads to the playoffs and this is the goal now.
11. Wolves Vilnius 2-2 (+5)
They have one game less than the rest of the league, but so far the balance is great. Losing Arturs Zagars due to injury is not a small obstacle, however so far, so good for the Lithuanian club.
10. Prometey Slobozhanske 2-3 (-4)
Things are not going that well for Prometey but the games just started and last season they had a strong finish. They need to pick up the pace sooner rather than later though.
9. London Lions 3-2 (+5)
They are delivering what was expected from them and even a bit more. They are playoffs material if they continue like this.
8. Turk Telekom Ankara 1-4 (-6)
This is not what last season’s finalists expected, that’s why there’s already a coaching change in the team. Having said that, on paper, they still have a solid roster that includes many former EuroLeague players and it’s good enough for everything.
7. Joventut Badalona 3-2 (-4)
They have a positive record and the season is just starting, but there are simply teams that are playing better than them so far.
6. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 4-1 (+6)
They entered the competition firing on all cylinders and they already made a huge jump on the Power Rankings. If they keep the same momentum, the sky is the limit.