By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Round 4 EuroLeague “Experts Round Table” predicts which team between CSKA Moscow or Barcelona will keep its undefeated streak longer, which player is going to have the next “monster” game after Shane Larkin and Nando De Colo and picks the most interesting match of this week’s games.
Per EuroLeague.net:
Welcome back to the Experts Round Table, where we ask a variety of the most knowledgeable Turkish Airlines EuroLeague followers across the continent their opinions on the topics of the day. This week’s panel includes Joe Arlauckas, former EuroLeague champ and current game announcer and podcast host; Juan Antonio Casanova, the former long-time EuroLeague writer for La Vanguardia in Spain; Dimitris Karydas, basketball expert and TV commentator at NOVAsports.gr in Greece; Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net; and Frankie Sachs, Editor at EuroLeague.net. Check out their opinions on three key questions this week!
Will CSKA or Barcelona stay unbeaten longer? Why?
Joe Arlauckas
“Looking at the schedule I like CSKA to unbeaten possibly until Round 8 and even then they face Fenerbahce at home, where Fener has been successful the last couple of years, but right after that, they are thrown into a Spanish loop with three straight games in Spain. Baskonia and Real Madrid in the November double week, then a week later they come back and play at Barcelona, that will be a tough stretch for the Russians. Barcelona may trip up a bit sooner as they find themselves away from home for three straight during Rounds 6-8 but it would sure be fun to see both teams stay undefeated until they face off in Round 11″
Dimitris Karydas
“I’m not a strong believer in one particular thing about the EuroLeague. With the new format of the competition, no one can evaluate the difficulties of the schedule. Always, an upset is waiting around the corner! So, trying to evaluate the program of the two teams for the upcoming weeks I’ll predict CSKA. The Russian side has a more ‘friendly’ schedule than Barca. They can stay unbeaten until Round 7 and then they will face in a big showdown Fenerbahce. On the other hand, Barcelona in the same period will play 3 tough road games (at Belgrade, Milan. Kaunas).”
Juan Antonio Casanova
“Both of them are among the main favorites to finish really high in the regular-season standings and play the Final Four. On the other hand, if you take a look at the upcoming calendar, I believe that CSKA will remain undefeated longer. I see them winning their next four games, even though three of them are on the road, which would take it to a 7-0. After that, it will face a real ‘tour de force’ against Fenerbahce in Moscow and from November 20 to 29, three games in Spain, against Baskonia, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Barcelona will face trouble before that. Four of its next five games will be on the road.”
Antonis Stroggylakis
“The chances of CSKA Moscow reaching Round 8 with an unscathed record are better than the Barcelona has to keep a perfect streak until then. And I’m marking Round 8 because it features the battle between Fenerbahce Beko and Barcelona in Istanbul plus the Clasico which will be hosted by Real Madrid. It will be the biggest challenges that CSKA and Barcelona will have to face in the upcoming weeks. Until then, Barcelona will have to play at Crvena Zvezda, Armani Milano and Zalgiris Kaunas. CSKA, on the other hand, will travel to face ALBA Berlin, Zenit St Petersburg and ASVEL, matches not as difficult as the ones Barca will see.”
Frankie Sachs
“Based on jinx theory, now that we ‘experts’ have analyzed these teams’ schedules over the next month, they could both lose this week! I believe that Barcelona is the tougher team to play right now, but its near-term schedule is also tougher than CSKA’s. Four of its next five games are on the road; three of those are against teams with legitimate playoff hopes and another is in the Serbian capital in front of one of the toughest crowds. CSKA doesn’t have it easy either, but it may outlast Barcelona for the longest unbeaten run to the season.”