Qualifying Round C, Game 1 preview: Unics Kazan - Hapoel Jerusalem
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Unics Kazan hopes an excellent comeback in the first round will not be for naught as it hosts Hapoel Jerusalem in the first leg of the Eurocup second qualifying round. Head coach Aco Petrovic's Russian team fought back from a 16-point deficit against Energa Czarni to reach the second round. The 2008 ULEB Cup quarterfinalist has five players that averaged at least 11 points against Czarni. Power forward Kresimir Loncar was tops with 16.5 points along with 6.5 rebounds. Small forward Tariq Kirksay had 13 points and 6.5 rebounds, while big man Vladimir Veremeenko averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Marko Popovic stepped up big time in the second game with 17 points and backcourt mate Terrell Lyday had 13 points in the return leg to provide another boost. If Petrovic can get that balanced production, his team should be fine, though it cannot afford to shoot 64% from the foul line against a veteran team like Hapoel Jerusalem. The 2004 ULEB Cup champs from Israel are anxious to get into action, having played just one game in the domestic championship. Head coach Guy Goodes's team is led by forward Omar Sneed, who was dominant in Hapoel's opener with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Timothy Bowers added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists while guard Moran Rot chipped in 15 points. Goodes also has forward Sharon Shason as well as power forward Travis Watson, the latter who is a real force on the blocks and will play a key role against Kazan. Home-court advantage will be key in this series, as the two proved last season when they met in the ULEB Cup regular season and Hapoel won by 39 in Jerusalem and Unics won by 53 in Kazan.
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Monday, November 03, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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