Round of 16 preview: Telekom Baskets v Kataja Basket
BONN (FIBA Europe Cup) - Telekom Baskets have been among the FIBA Europe Cup pace-setters, but will have to deal with an entirely new challenge in the Play-Offs, having been drawn against Kataja Basket.
BONN (FIBA Europe Cup) - Telekom Baskets have been among the FIBA Europe Cup pace-setters this season, but will have to deal with an entirely new challenge in the Play-Offs, having been drawn against Basketball Champions League transfers Kataja Basket from Finland.
Having relied on their sturdy defense throughout their so-far successful international campaign, the Bonn side held their opponents to just 67.7 points per game in the Second Round to qualify to the Round of 16 as the top seed from Group M with a 5-1 record.
A 5-1 record in Group M secured @telekombaskets their ticket to the next Round of the #FIBAEuropeCup. pic.twitter.com/Vo79fSQUIG
— FIBA Europe Cup (@FIBAEuropeCup) February 4, 2017
Still unbeaten at the Telekom Dome, the German club has been much more vulnerable on the road, where they have picked up two losses this season against somewhat unlikely culprits – Sodertalje Kings in the Regular Season and APOEL Nicosia in the Second Round.
On the other hand, Kataja have fared much better on the road in the Basketball Champions League than at home in Joensuu. Having finished seventh in a tightly contested Group B with a 6-8 mark, the Finnish team secured four of the wins in away games.
Despite being plagued by various injuries, the Predrag Krunic-coached Telekom Baskets side have managed to stay relatively consistent due to the roster depth, which only got better with the recent addition of combo guard Jamar Sanders.
ICYMI: Die Baskets haben in Jamarr Sanders a.k.a. @2_E_A_Z_Y einen neuen Combo Guard gefunden.https://t.co/jyIeKU3KJj#BasketsSpirit pic.twitter.com/MGCX2faXa9
— Telekom Baskets Bonn (@TelekomBaskets) January 30, 2017
Kenneth Horton has been the team's most prolific offensive weapon, averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 boards per game, while Ojars Silins, Josh Mayo and Filip Barovic are also in double-digit territory.
Unfortunately for Bonn fans, Barovic will not partake in the Round of 16 tie against Kataja due to a broken thumb, which will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
While Telekom Baskets have been all about depth, the roster of their Finnish rivals is very top-heavy, with Basketball Champions League stand-outs Rion Brown and Daniel Mullings leading the way.
Teemu Rannikko, Joey King and Kervin Bristol are also immensely important pieces for coach Greg Gibson, with other players filling more supplementary roles.
FIBA