EUROCUP REGULAR SEASON GROUP D ANALYSIS
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GROUP D SCHEDULE
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GAME 1, NOVEMBER 25
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Panellinios vs. Aris BSA
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Bnei Hasharon vs. Turk Telekom
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GAME 2, DECEMBER 2
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Turk Telekom vs. Panellinios
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Aris BSA vs. Bnei Hasharon
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GAME 3, DECEMBER 9
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Panellinios vs. Bnei Hasharon
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Aris BSA vs. Turk Telekom
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GAME 4, DECEMBER 16
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Bnei Hasharon vs. Panellinios
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Turk Telekom vs. Aris BSA
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GAME 5, JANUARY 6
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Turk Telekom vs. Bnei Hasharon
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Aris BSA vs. Panellinios
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GAME 6, JANUARY 13
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Bnei Hasharon vs. Aris BSA
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Panellinios vs. Turk Telekom
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Group D will have a distinctly Mediterranean feel with two Greek clubs, one from Turkey and another from Israel. Aris BSA 2003 returns to the competition after a few strong runs in the Euroleague, including back-to-back appearances in the Top 16 in the last two years. Aris was the ULEB Cup runner-up in 2006. Panellinios BC is back after a tough season last year, but it proved it belongs by ousting Telekom Bonn and BC Kyiv in the qualifying rounds. Turk Telekom saw its promising season cut short prematurely, but is back with many of the same players looking to go further than ever. And Bnei Eshet Tours Hasharon will make its competition debut with the same deep and determined roster that has made it one of the best teams in Israel in recent seasons.
Aris BSA 2003 and head coach Andrea Mazzon are ready to lead an assault on Group D and the Eurocup. Aris brings back three key players from last season – starting small forward Dimitris Tsaldaris, center Lazaros Agadakos and shooter Savvas Iliadis – and adds some big time talent for a new run. Spencer Nelson leads a frontcourt that includes Blagota Sekulic and Nikos Barlos, while Keydren Clark and Nikos Argyropoulos lead the charge at point guard and Sean Marshall and Anton Gavel pack plenty of punch on the wings. Once Mazzon brings these forces together, Aris has the potential for another run at the crown. Panellinios BC is off to a strong start after plowing through Bonn and Kyiv in the qualifying rounds. Anthony Grundy and Brad Newly have proven to be a powerful combo on the wings, scoring from the perimeter and with penetration. The duo of Jurica Golemac and Ivan Radenovic has supplied points in the paint and rebounds. Veteran guard Georgios Kalitzis is a major piece thanks to his defense and leadership, while Emmanouil Papamakarios adds scoring and Djuro Ostojic brings experience and size off the bench. If Panellinios keeps its momentum going, head coach Elias Zouros has a chance to take his club to new heights.
Turk Telekom went 9-1 in the ULEB Cup regular season last year, but stumbled in the Last 32 when star forward Michael Wright was injured. Wright is back now along with Erwin Dudley and Kris Lang to give head coach Ercument Sunter a strong frontline. Kennedy Winston arrived from Euroleague force Panathinaikos to add athleticism at the small forward spot, while Rod Blakney came from Olympiacos to play point guard. Veterans Serkan Erdogan and Tutku Acik round out the backcourt of an experienced squad with the tools and the hunger to go far this season. Bnei Hasharon comes to the Eurocup with a nice mix of youth and experience as well as defensive aces and offensive weapons. Meir Tapiro, one of only three players to record a triple-double in ULEB Cup history, teams with former ULEB Cup champ Erez Katz to give the club a strong foundation in the backcourt. The athletic Ori Ichaki and seasoned swingman Cookie Belcher combine to give head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi what he needs at the guard spots. Rookie Richard Roby is a lethal scorer at small forward, while two more first-year players, Haminn Quantance and Shawn James, team with veteran shot-blocking ace Ousmane Cisse to give the club incredible rebounding and defensive power in the paint.
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Friday, November 21, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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