By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With a trophy and two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague tickets on the line, the 7DAYS EuroCup teams went to work this summer. Some of the most impressive moves around Europe, the signings of Sam Dekker and Milos Teodosic, were made by EuroCup teams. The stakes are higher than ever and merely having a good team might not be enough.
While the EuroCup remains more unpredictable than the EuroLeague, it goes without saying that some of the clubs already have the talent for the top European competitions and you should expect them to fire at all cylinders right away. That’s why creating this version of the Power Rankings was a real pleasure and also a realization that the level of competition has risen impressively.
1. Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar
They created a buzz with the signing of Sam Dekker, and they also added Italian coach Lucca Banchi and players like Johnny O’Bryant, Mantas Kalnietis, and Will Cummings. Lokomotiv wants to run the tracks to the title, and the question is: Can anyone block their way?
2. Unicaja Malaga
They failed last season against ALBA Berlin, but they remain one of the best EuroCup teams and the trophy winners of the 2016-17 season. That’s why once more they are title contenders. They have a mix of great local talent and Euro-veterans like Melvin Ejim, Frank Elegar and Deon Thompson who can get the job done.
3. UNICS Kazan
UNICS continued to build on last season’s foundation with the additions of Alex Tyus and Vangelis Mantzaris. Having two guys with vast EuroLeague experience on a EuroCup roster is a big plus, and UNICS has waited almost a decade since winning the EuroCup title in 2011. Yes, they are aiming as high as possible.
4. Segafredo Virtus Bologna
This is a team to watch, and the reason has a name: Milos Teodosic. Mind you, he will not be alone. Coach Sasa Djordjevic has created an excellent roster that also includes Stefan Markovic, Vince Hunter, Frank Gaines, Kyle Weems, and Julian Gamble. This is a team destined to make big things and return to past glories.
5. Partizan NIS Belgrade
The jump of Partizan compared to last season’s power rankings, when their initial spot was 21st, has a simple justification. The club has financial stability again, and that is evident from the roster. Coach Andrea Trinchieri was added mid-season, the roster was boosted, and everything changed after that. Add also veteran big man Art Parakhouski to the equation, and you have the best Partizan since the EuroLeague days of the club.
6. AS Monaco
Coach Sasa Obradovic has a contender on his hands with additions like Dylan Ennis and Kim Tillie. This is a team that can go far in the competition and can even make a run for the title, even if in theory it doesn’t have the experience of other contenders yet.
7. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
After last season’s EuroLeague experience, which had a lot of ups and downs, Buducnost put coach Slobodan Subotic on its bench. A fantastic sharpshooter back in the day, Subotic has previously coached Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, among others. Expect a solid unit that can do something memorable if the duo of Scott Bamforth and Justin Cobbs delivers.
8. MoraBanc Andorra
After a great run last season, Andorra lost two-thirds of its roster. They do have strong pieces like David Jelinek and newly added Clevin Hannah who can do damage. Still, on paper at least, they have to build chemistry to try to reach the semifinals, as they did last year. The goal, for now, is clear, and it’s the playoffs.
9. Umana Reyer Venice
It’s good to see familiar faces return, like Austin Daye and Mike Bramos. Plus they are the defending Italian champions. On the other hand, it’s evident that even compared to fellow Italians of Virtus, they will not have it easy with the level of the EuroCup competition. However, as they say, never underestimate the heart of a champion.
10. Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul
Darussafaka has made a conscious choice to invest in Turkish talent, and that means they are going to be patient and let the players grow. That might take some time, which is why coach Selcuk Ernak has also signed respected veterans Sinan Gular and Joe Ragland while adding Doron Lamb and Jarrod Jones to the mix. They will be an exciting experiment.
11. Promitheas Patras
The emerging power from Greece that competed in the domestic league finals last season is an ambitious club. They are also EuroCup rookies, but you will see some well-known names in coach Makis Giatras roster. Those are Dimitris Agravanis and Giorgos Bogris from Olympiacos, Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Lypovyy, and also keep an eye for Langston Hall, who can emerge as one of the best import players of the competition.
12- Joventut Badalona
Look who’s back! After a decade, Joventut Badalona, the 2008 EuroCup winner returns, having on its roster the trio of Nikos Zisis, Alen Omic, and Klemec Prepelic. Of course, a team that is known for producing exciting young talent will also showcase exactly that with Latvian Arturs Zagars leading the class. And last but not least, Kerem Kanter, the younger brother of Ener Kanter, will make his EuroCup debut with the Spanish team.