Game of the Week preview: Surne Bilbao looking to sweep Bahcesehir College
The Game of the Week for week nine in the Basketball Champions League features a showdown between the first and second place teams in Group D, Surne Bilbao (3-1) and Bahcesehir College (2-2).
ISTANBUL (Turkey) - The Game of the Week for week nine in the Basketball Champions League features a showdown between the first and second place teams in Group D, Surne Bilbao (3-1) and Bahcesehir College (2-2).
Where: Istanbul, Turkey (Ulker Sports and Event Hall)
When: 18:00 CET
In the first meeting between these two teams this season, Bilbao defeated Bahcesehir 80-66, so Bahcesehir need to win this game by at least 15 points in order to gain the head-to-head tiebreak. Meanwhile, it's all in front of Bilbao, as they would win the group and qualify to the Round of 16 with a win over Bahcesehir.
Bahcesehir are coming off an 88-80 victory over ERA Nymburk, while Bilbao are coming off their first loss of the BCL season, a narrow 84-81 defeat to Igokea m:tel.
From +15 to -6 back to +8 - @BKBasketbol claim the tiebreaker over @basketnymburk in an up and down #BasketballCL game in front of packed stands in Istanbul! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/K8ZdvlVOwV
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) November 29, 2022
Bahcesehir have won their two home games and lost their two away games in the BCL this season; their heaviest defeat happened against Bilbao, 80-66, the only time they failed to score 70+ points. Jerry Boutsiele is the only player to have scored 10+ points in each of Bahcesehir games this season in the BCL; among the players with multiple appearances in the competition this season, only Boutsiele (15.5 points and 10 rebounds) and Tanaskovic (10.8 points and 10 rebounds) are averaging a double-double. Bilbao have won their last two away games in the BCL, however their last defeat away from home came in Turkey, 85-76 against Pinar Karsiyaka in January 2021; they won those last two away games despite trailing at halftime. Bilbao is tied for giving up the fewest assists per game in the BCL this season, with their opponents averaging 14 per game; Bahcesehir is the team that concedes the fewest free throws per game in the competition this term (9.3). Bilbao's Adam Smith was the top scorer in the last game against Bahcesehir, despite starting the game on the bench (17 points); Smith has scored more than 10 points in each of his last six BCL games against teams from Turkey, averaging 14.5 points per game in those games. [/unordered]
Michale Kyser is currently leading the BCL in blocks, averaging 2.8 per game. The 31-year-old has recorded 5 blocks in two separate games (the most in a single game this season), against Igokea and Nymburk, and continues to have quite the impact on the defensive end as Bilbao set their sights on the Round of 16.
Team comparison by the numbers:
|
Bahcesehir |
Stat Category |
Bilbao |
|
51.1 |
2-point FG % |
53.4 |
|
34.5 |
3-point FG % |
34.1 |
|
43.5 |
Overall FG % |
44 |
|
72.6 |
Free throw % |
69.4 |
|
27.3 |
Defensive rebounds |
26.8 |
|
10.5 |
Offensive rebounds |
10.8 |
|
37.8 |
Total rebounds |
37.5 |
|
5.8 |
Steals |
6 |
|
15.5 |
Assists |
17.8 |
|
12.5 |
Turnovers |
10.8 |
|
2.8 |
Blocks |
5.5 |
|
12.8 |
Points from Turnover |
12.3 |
|
24.0 |
Points in the Paint |
29.5 |
|
19.5 |
Points from the Bench |
40.8 |