By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Welcome to the third edition of the 7DAYS EuroCup Power Rankings! Last week marked the midpoint of the 2021-22 regular season and some of the favorites have already gotten ahead in the standings battle.
However, with COVID-19 resurfacing on many squads, several games of Round 9 had to be suspended and rescheduled for later in the season, creating opportunities for underdogs to have their fair share of the spotlight. For this edition of the power rankings, we’re keeping in mind each of team’s momentum, health status/absences, and how much they have improved (or not) along the season so far.
Eurohoops presents the 7DAYS EuroCup Power Rankings Vol. 3:
#20 Dolomiti Energia Trento
Previous ranking: 19
Overall record: 1-8
Last 4 games: L-L-L-L
Has Trento run out of fuel? They definitely are not in good form since the last time we checked up on them in the Power Rankings. COVID struggles and lack of depth have been concerning, hence a worrisome four-game losing streak at the midpoint of the season.
#19 Promitheas Patras
Previous ranking: 16
Overall record: 2-6
Last 4 games: L-L-L-X
*X marks postponed games
Promitheas has been through a rough patch in its last three games, with evident struggle on the defensive end. The Greek side suffered three consecutive defeats before their Round 9 contest against Cedevita was suspended and they are definitely far from their early-season ambitions.
#18 Slask Wroclaw
Previous ranking: 20
Overall record: 1-7
Last 4 games: W-L-L-X
Just when the Polish showed a vital sign in their home triumph against Hamburg Towers in Round 6, their first win of the season, it quickly vanished with two defeats at the end of 2021. To their credit, they challenged Partizan head-to-head in a game that went down to the wire and a two-point home win for the latter in Round 8. Despite their disheartening 1-7 record, it’s true that a team is the most dangerous when they have nothing to lose.
#17 JL Bourg en Bresse
Previous ranking: 18
Overall record: 2-7
Last 4 games: W-L-L-L
The case of Bourg is a peculiar one. Their three-game skid in the last rounds doesn’t do the French team justice, as they have been competitive in all three. The brightest example of their resilience was their Round 9 near-upset of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, after the latter blew off an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Bourg fell short in the final seconds. Forward Jalen Jones’s arrival comes at a crucial point for the French team and could have a positive impact on the remainder of the regular season.
#16 Bursaspor
Previous ranking: 12
Overall record: 3-6
Last 4 games: L-L-W-L
Bursaspor is another team that has had a rocky course so far. From back-to-back wins to five defeats in their last six games, it looks like Dusan Alimpijevic needs to shuffle the pieces again and bring the team back to shape. The recent addition of forward Tolga Gecim, a 2021 EuroLeague champion with Efes, could perhaps revitalize the Bursa side.