It is not a surprise to say that each and every team in Group I has a legitimate reason to expect to reach the Eurocup quarterfinals. Two of them, however, have much more Eurocup experience than the others. Valencia Basket is the original Eurocup champion in 2003 and won a second title in 2010. Its 86 games in the competition says it all about Valencia's Eurocup tradition. CEZ Nymburk reached the Last 16 for the third consecutive season. It even made it to the Quarterfinals in 2009-10, losing against Bilbao Basket on points differential. With arguably its most powerful roster ever, not to mention its previous experience, the sky could be the limit for the perennial Czech League champion. BCM Gravelines had not played the Eurocup since the 2004-05 season but is doing better than ever and leads the competition in scoring (86.2 ppg.) and three-pointers made (59). Its run-and-gun, fun-to-watch style has surprised a lot of Eurocup fans. VEF Riga wants to be the first Latvian team to make it to the Quarterfinals since Ventspils did it in 2004-05. A balanced team with great shooters and inside power could pay off right away.

THE STAR

ANDREW ALBICY At age 21, Andrew Albicy has become Gravelines' floor general, leading his team in assists (4 apg.) and steals (1.5 spg.) while being second in scoring (12.2 ppg.). Albicy fits perfectly into coach Christian Monschau's run-and-gun style, offering his quickness and athleticism to his team.

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RUDY JOMBY Another young prospect in his first Eurocup season, Rudy Jomby is showcasing his scoring skills and has led Gravelines to the Last 16. Jomby is Gravelines' top scorer (13.7 ppg.) with very good percentages (65% 2FG, 47.1% 3FG) and leads the 2011-12 Eurocup in three-pointers made (16).

THE FACT

Gravelines was the first team to survive the Eurocup season back in the competition's original season, 2002-03. Its coach was Jean Luc Monschau, currently with SLUC Nancy. His brother Christian will now try to make Gravelines become the first French team to go to the Eurocup Quarterfinals.

THE STAR

TRE SIMMONS An all-around wing player, Tre Simmons leads Nymburk in scoring and is second in assists. Just as Nymburk, Simmons (14.2 ppg., 3.2 apg) is back to the Last 16 for the third consecutive season and hopes to make Nymburk become the first Czech team to go all the way to the Eurocup Finals.

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DREW NAYMICK A rock-solid center, Drew Naymick needed an adjustment period to get used to the competition. Indeed, Naymick averaged 6 points on 8-of-17 shooting in its 3 opening games, but boosted its numbers up to 12 points of 16-of-21 shooting since then. Naymick should keep improving in the Last 16.

THE FACT

Despite being the one of the top scoring teams (83 ppg., only trailing BCM Gravelines) in the competition, Nymburk is the final Last 16 teams in free throw percentage (67.9%) and only leads BC Donetsk in two-point percentage (49.3%). The secret? Few turnovers (73) and many offensive rebounds (77).

THE STAR

KRISTAPS JANICENOKS Right at the prime of his career, Kristaps Janicenoks keeping filling the baskets all around the continent. Janicenoks (13.2 ppg., 3 rpg., 3.2 apg.) has improved his all-around game, sharing the ball on offense and doing better on defense. Expect him to be VEF's main reference from now on.

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COURTNEY SIMS A great fit at center, Courtney Sims has added talent and muscle to VEF's frontline. His influence in his team's game goes beyond his excellent numbers - 12.7 points, 93.3% FT shooting, 7 rebounds. Sims opens the floor for VEF's shooters, generating double-team situations.

THE FACT

Sandis Valters belongs to a famous basketball family. His brother Kristaps is playing the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with Unicaja. His father Valdis is a legend in VEF Riga and Soviet basketball. He was the EuroBasket 1981 MVP, played for VEF in the 1980s and coached the team, too.

THE STAR

RAFA MARTINEZ A silent leader that never disappoints, Rafa Martinez is Valencia's first option in crunch time. In his fourth season in the club, Martinez is doubling his assists numbers (3.7 apg.) compared to other seasons, staying equally deadline (13 ppg.) when it comes to scoring. Expect him to do even better from now on.

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VICTOR CLAVER The 2009-10 Eurocup Rising Star missed the regular season due to injury, but Victor Claver will be ready to bounce back in 2012. Claver is a natural-born mismatch at small forward due to his size, ballhandling and great athleticism. His wild dunks will keep sending all Valencia fans to their feet.

THE FACT

As many as five Valencia players - Claver, Serhiy Lishchuk, Martinez, Florent Pietrus and Nando De Colo - helped Valencia to help its second Eurocup title in 2010. No other player in Group I has even won the competition, which gives Valencia an edge over everyone else in terms of experience.