By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
It was obvious from the previous edition of the Power Rankings, and with just four rounds left for the end of the regular season, there’s no need to deny it anymore. Teams like Paris Basket and London Lions are aiming for the top, while traditional names are struggling to keep up and even the defending champions are having trouble lately.
Here’s how the situation is right now with six teams already qualified for the next phase.
And not only Paris and London are in, but also Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv has already made it despite playing their home games in Belgrade.
20. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 0-14 (-)
They changed coaches, they are doing ok in the ABA League, but this is one more lost season in Europe with a disaster of a campaign.
19. Veolia Towers Hamburg 2-12 (-)
They got their second win of the season, however they were hoping for something better after a notable presence last season, and they didn’t deliver.
18. Slask Wroclaw 2-12 (-)
They have the same record as Hamburg, proving their progress. Still, it’s not much. However, considering how they started, it’s not that bad.
17. Wolves Vilnius 5-9 (-5)
After keeping their hopes for the postseason alive and kicking for the first 10 rounds, December and January weren’t kind to them. They lost four games, including their delayed contest with Hapoel and they only have one “easy” game left, at home against Hamburg. They play on the road against Prometey, London and Venice, so they are looking for a miracle.
16. 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 5-9 (-5)
The last four games have been their fall from grace, winning only one and putting themselves in a corner. They still have chances to qualify, but they face Bourg and Turk Telekom on the road, plus Slask and already-qualified Cluj at home.
15. Turk Telekom Ankara 5-9 (-3)
They had a 3-1 record since the previous edition of the Power Rankings, but also a lot of ground to cover. They are playing on the road against Gran Canaria and Slask, and at home versus Lietkabelis and already-qualified Bourg. So, they still have a chance but it will not be easy.
14. Umana Reyer Venice 5-9 (+1)
Despite just one win in the last four games, they have moved up a spot due to the competition. They are two wins away from the sixth position in their group and what’s putting them here is the fact that they have a favorable schedule, playing on the road against Cedevita and Hamburg and at home against Wolves and Prometey. The game against Prometey may decide which of the two teams will qualify.
13. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 6-8 (-)
They can make it, being part of a three-way tie between the fifth and seventh positions in Group B, but it will not be easy. They play on the road against Aris and Trento, the teams with whom they are tied, and at home against Ulm and Gran Canaria. So anything goes.
12. Aris Midea Thessaloniki 6-8 (+5)
Coming off a 3-1 run they are currently sixth in their group but tied with Trento and Buducnost. They have three home games, starting with Buducnost then Bourg and Trento, and they also face Ulm on the road. So they have pretty good qualifying chances.
11. Dolomiti Energia Trento 6-8 (+5)
Trento is pretty much in the same boat as Aris; they have the same record and have made the same jump forward in the standings. They also have an upcoming home game against Slask, which is a huge boost at this point. They also host Buducnost, having lost by two points to them on the road, and they play on the road against Cluj and Aris, which they have beaten by two points at home. So the Slask game gives them a little edge.
10. Prometey Slobozhanske 7-7 (-)
They are exactly where they have been in the previous rankings, and two wins – or even one – in the upcoming games against the Wolves and Badalona at home, and against Hapoel and Reyer on the road, can push them to the postseason.
9. Besiktas Emlakjet İstanbul 8-6 (-1)
They lost a spot after a 2-2 month, but at this point only with a collapse will be they out of the postseason, and they are as dangerous as they can be.
8. ratiopharm Ulm 8-6 (-1)
They lost one more spot because they got just one win, still, they are fourth in Group B with two victories above the fifth spot, so they are good.
7. Joventut Badalona 9-5 (+1)
They have won six straight games, they are back on track, and they seem to be getting back to their old selves now that things are getting interesting.
6. U-BT Cluj-Napoca 10-4 (-)
A 3-1 run, a team playing good basketball, and a new point of reference created in European basketball. Their season is already a success, by having qualified for the playoffs.
5. London Lions 10-4 (-1)
They have also qualified, but they lost a spot simply because there are teams doing better than them near the top.
4. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse 11-3 (+1)
Also on a 3-1 run, the French side is continuing their strong performance and they can have ambitions for something bigger.
3. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 11-3 (-)
Their run is 4-1 after losing to London in their delayed game, but they were already qualified and they can get even better in the postseason.
2. Dreamland Gran Canaria 11-3 (-1)
We finally have a change at the top as Gran Canaria, after their perfect 10-0 start, decided to relax a bit and the end result was three consecutive defeats.
1. Paris Basketball 13-1 (+1)
Paris on the top of the Power Rankings, having just one defeat so far and a new arena. Yes, they are knocking on the EuroLeague door quite loudly.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net