By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
From strength to strength, Real Madrid retains the top position in the Power Rankings for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, powered by Eurohoops. Los Blancos were first in Volumes 1 and 2, too. Since then, it has been more of the same with the distance from second place in the standings growing to two wins.
The intense competition below and the ties between multiple teams in the table add intrigue to their placement in the Power Rankings.
Status, momentum, form, and the importance of the results are the main criteria for ranking the 18 teams.
Also, the team’s respective rankings cannot increase or decrease by a margin larger than six spots from the previous edition of the Power Rankings.
#18 ALBA Berlin
Previous ranking: 18 (-)
W-L: 2-11
Home: 2-4
Away: 0-7
Points +/-: 76.7-86.6
ALBA’s second win finally came in Round 12 and that tells the whole story for ALBA Berlin. Missing players the likes of Sterling Brown, Louis Olinde, and Matt Thomas to injuries complicated matters. It is an uphill battle now.
#17 LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
Previous ranking: 17 (-)
W-L: 2-11
Home: 0-6
Away: 2-5
Points +/-: 80.2-89
Since Gianmarco Pozzecco took over head-coaching responsibilities, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has shown a glimpse of improvement. However, its ranking is fair. It is the only team without a win at home. Even the brand-new LDLC Arena did not do the trick.
#16 CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET BELGRADE
Previous ranking: 13 (-3)
W-L: 4-9
Home: 4-2
Away: 0-7
Points +/-: 82.2-81
Only one win in the last five outings and three wins over nine games with Greek tactician Giannis Sfairopoulos in charge. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet is winless away from home, sharing a league-low 0-7 with ALBA Berlin and falling behind in the race in the Play-In Showdown.
#15 EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN
Previous ranking: 9 (-6)
W-L: 4-9
Home: 3-3
Away: 1-6
Points +/-: 78.9-78.6
One step forward and two steps back for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. The latest stretch features three straight losses combined with an injury setback for Nikola Mirotic. After visiting FC Barcelona in Round 14, six of the next seven games are at home. Will they be enough?