First place in Group F will be on the line on Tuesday when Crvena Zvezda hosts
Benetton Basket in Belgrade. Both teams enter the winner-take-all showdown with 4-1 records. Accordingly, the winner will win the group and the loser will place second. Crvena Zvezda handed Benetton its only loss of the season so far back in Week 2 71-78 in Treviso as Elmedin Kikanovic shined with 21 points and Vuk Radivojevic was all over with 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Both teams go 10 deep if needed in their rotations and can present multiple looks. For the hosts, Radivojevic continues to be a leader, though point guard Mike Taylor looks poised to join him after torching Dynamo for 22 points last week. They will face a trio of backcourt stars from Benetton: Gary Neal, who is a top 10 scorer in the competition, veteran Davor Kus and newcomer K.C. Rivers. In the paint, Crvena Zvezda turns to centers Kikanovic and Vladimir Stimac and power forward Tadija Dragicevic. Benetton counters with All-Eurocup selection Sandro Nicevic, uber prospect Donatas Motiejunas and C.J. Wallace. Forward Marko Keselj’s low post game and swingman Filip Videnov’s explosiveness could make them X-factors for the home side. Crafty guard Daniel Hackett or veteran big man Tyrone Grant could change the game off the bench for Benetton. This game could be one of the most intense of the night with no point difference or any other factor aside from the win deciding who will win the group title. Expect to see two hungry teams go all out in a game that will almost certainly come down to the last few minutes. There is simply no favorite, though Crvena Zvezda does have an edge with the home-court advantage. This game may well be won by the team that wants it more.
REFEREES: Recep Ankarali, Tomas Jasevicius, Seffi Shemmesh