Antoine Diot, Le Mans Sarthe
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 Going into the second half of the Last 16, nowhere is the race to stay alive in the 2010-11 Eurocoup closer than in Group J, where a single victory separates all four teams. As such, each new result is of maximum importance for Budivelnik, Aris BSA 2003, Le Mans and BG Goettingen. In the middle of it all is a young guard, Antoine Diot of Le Mans, who is starting to fulfill his vast potential in hopes of leading his team higher and higher. At age 21, Diot is enjoying a career-best season so far, in this, his second Eurocup season. Despite his youth, Diot already has two Euroleague seasons under his belt, as well, making experience one of his strengths already. Diot is one of four Le Mans players averaging double digits in scoring (10.1 points per game), leads the team in assists (3.8 apg.) and is second in steals (1.2 spg.), all in a team-high 30 minutes per night. Diot is ranked among the Eurocup’s top 10 players in assists this season. Only one player younger than Diot in the entire competition is ranked higher than him in either points or assists. With a pair of crucial home games coming next, Diot says he likes the challenges he and Le Mans are facing. "Believe me when I say we would love to be in the Eurocup Finals," Diot told Eurocupbasketball.com. "We face a tough road, but are going to give our best to make it to the Finals. It would be truly historic for my team, Le Mans."
Hello, Antoine. First of all, how has been the season for you and Le Mans so far?
"Well, we had a tough start to the season, it was really difficult not only as a team, but personally. We have managed to grow our dynamic since January and I hope that can lead us to have a better finish to the season."
You face a critical game against Budivelnik next. What did you learn from playing them in the last game?
"Aha, so you want me to reveal the keys to beating Budivelnik so that they can read them here? Just joking. The fact is that we hold our destiny in our hands. We lost by 6 points in Ukraine. We have had a whole week to work hard and try to overcome that deficit and win the tie-breaker."
Le Mans had a great game against Aris, showing its potential as a team. Was it your best Eurocup game this season?
"Of course! We played really well against Aris, just when we needed it most. Even with that, we still have to improve if we want to play at this level and even better in the near future."
Your team improved its frontcourt with the addition of Michalis Kakiouzis. What has he brought to the team?
"First of all, he has opened the floor with his three-point shots, allowing our guards to penetrate and making it easier to finish or pass the ball. Michalis has a lot of experience and communicates a lot, on and off the court. He is really important for this team."
This is your fourth season in European competitions and your numbers keep improving every year. How has your Eurocup experience helped you to become a better player?
"It's obvious that the Euroleague and the Eurocup are top-level competitions that give every player the chance to improve his playing level due to their high intensity and quality games. All I can say is that you can seriously improve by taking part in such important games."
 How do you like the Eurocup in terms of structure and playing level?
"The Euroleague is really the top-class league. The competition is hard and the level of all the teams is incredibly high, some of them are just unbelievable. Even if there are fewer teams at a great level in the Eurocup, the competition is more open and the level is more homogeneous."
You can play at both guard spots, at the '1' position or at the '2' alongside Marc-Antoine Pellin. Where do you feel more comfortable?
"Truth to be told, it doesn't matter to me. It is different to play '1' or '2' but I like both roles. If I play point guard, I have to make my team play better and as a '2', I have to take care of the scoring duties."
You like to take responsibilities, too. Last season, you won a Eurocup game at the buzzer. This season, you hit critical free throws to beat Unics in Kazan. Do you feel like a leader on court?
"I would say so, more or less, yes. Like you just said, I don't refuse to take big shots, but if the best decision is to make a pass and find one of my teammates, I would be happy to do it. I don't hide in crunch time, but I don't want to take these shots at any cost."
Le Mans faces back-to-back home games and is in a good position to go the playoffs. After winning several titles with Le Mans in France, how special would it be for you and the club to reach the Eurocup Finals in April?
"Believe me when I say we would love to be in the Eurocup Finals. It would be great, because our season has been so-so until now. We face a tough road, but are going to give our best to make it to the Finals. It would be truly historic for my team, Le Mans."
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Monday, February 14, 2011
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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