By Alex Madrid / info@eurohoops.net
All the teams that will play the second round at home in the Basketball Champions League are alive in the competition. However, five of the eight squads with the home court advantage escaped with the win on the road while two of them practically knock out their rivals and already put one foot in the quarterfinals.
However, three teams are in a much better position, after managing to win at home and will try to defend their advantage on the road next week.
Medi Bayreuth
The Germans side will be the first to go on stage. They were very close to knocking down Besiktas, who finished at the top of Group D. The Turkish team, which was losing by 15 points during the game, reacted and finally was beaten by five.
Bayreuth finished with the best record (8-6) among the fourth qualified teams, winning four games on the road during the regular season. The numbers that they get off in the BCL are really good so there’s hope for sure. Gabe York‘s team was defeated just once by more than four points… but that happened in Turkey.
On the other hand, Besiktas is a very strong team at home, where they haven’t lost since October 11th.
- Chances to advance: 45%
PAOK
Pinar Karsiyaka got four consecutive victories to finish strong the group phase -when their home court advantage was in danger- but PAOK also reached the playoffs by winning five of their last six games. The Greek side dominated the first leg and they only faltered at the end, winning by just 6 points.
With Dominic Waters out, it seems that if PAOK is capable of containing DJ Kennedy and Jarrod Jones, would have a more than a good chance for the quarterfinals. It isn’t an easy mission at all but they have already done it.
Beware of the Two-Headed Eagle, Karsiyaka.
- Chances to advance: 50%
Neptunas Klaipeda
Group B fourth-placed Neptunas isn’t as strong as they were in the beginning of the Basketball Champions League season. Since Lietuvos Rytas signed the Lithuanians internationals Arnas Butkevicius and Mindaugas Girdziunas, they haven’t been able to chain two consecutive victories. Everything indicates that Neptunas will suffer in France, especially if their defense is not effective.
SIG Strasbourg hasn’t lost a game in which they have scored more than 80 points while the Lithuanian side is 0-7 when they receive more than 80. Vincent Collet’s men scored just 68 points in the first leg so, will Neptunas repeat their defensive performance and protect the 5-point lead?
- Chances to advance: 40%
Photo Credit: BCL