Qualifying Round E, Game 1 preview: Panellinios - BC Kyiv
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Fresh off sweeping its opponent in the first qualifying round, Panellinios faces off against BC Kyiv with a ticket to the Eurocup regular season at stake. The Greek side struggled last season in the ULEB Cup finishing last in its group, but head coach Elias Zouros first has to get the team there this season. Zouros has a very balanced squad. Center Djuro Ostojic paced Panellinios in the first round sweep of Telekom Baskets Bonn with 13 points and 5 rebounds a game. Guard Brad Newley added 12.5 points and 6 rebounds while guard Anthony Grundy and power forward Jurica Golemac both had 11 points a contest while combining for 7 assists a game. Forward Ivan Radenovic has been solid with 9 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Zouros's men did hit 80% of their free throws, but Panellinios cannot afford to turn the ball over 19 times as it averaged against Bonn. BC Kyiv has been strong thus far in the Ukrainian Superleague with a perfect record. Head coach Sasa Obradovic's Kyiv has four players in scoring double figures with three more who average at least 8 points. The leader has been forward Kenan Bajramovic with 17.8 points and 8 rebounds a game. He is also one of three players with at least 2 assists. Guard Clay Tucker has had 13 points while power forward Brent Wright has collected 10.5 points and 5 rebounds. And guard Scoonie Penn has chipped in 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Don't forget swingman Artur Drozdov, who has had 8.5 points and 6 rebounds. Plus Kyiv just added veteran center Jovo Stanojevic. Obardovic's team should be considered the favorite because of its depth of strong talent.
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Monday, November 03, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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