MUNICH (Germany) - We’re down to the final eight in the FIBA Europe Cup as the tournament pauses ahead of the Quarter-Finals.
Four thrilling matchups await, each to be decided over two legs in March.
Now it’s time to see how the remaining contenders stack up, as the competition inches closer to crowning a champion.
1 - Surne Bilbao Basket (-)
Season record: 11-1
Reigning FIBA Europe Cup holders Surne Bilbao Basket continue to set the benchmark in the competition, as they head to the Quarter-Finals having recovered from their opening day loss to Peristeri Betsson to win 11 straight games by a whopping average of 31.8 points.
In last season's run to the title, Bilbao had solid contributions all over the floor, and this season is no different. Justin Jaworski is leading three players in double figures with 16.8 points per game. Additionally, they have seven more players averaging 7 or more points in 12 games, and as a team, they lead the competition with 96.7 points per contest on 50.6 percent shooting
No team has been able to retain the FIBA Europe Cup; Bilbao is aiming to rewrite that narrative.
2 - UCAM Murcia (-)
Season record: 11-1
Fellow Spaniards UCAM Murcia have kept up the pace with Bilbao in the FIBA Europe Cup and head to the Quarter-Finals as a team going about their business with a mix of dominance and performing well down the stretch.
Led by Michael Forrest's 15.0 points per game and Devontae Cook chipping in with 12.4 points, Murcia has certainly got the tools to beat any team as they prepare for Italian side Pallacanestro Reggiana in the last eight.
3 - Peristeri Betsson (+3)
Season record: 10-2
Peristeri Betsson have been a headache for many teams this season. Along with being the only blemish in Bilbao's overall record, the Greek side has been flawless on the road, posting a 6-0 away record, making them a team that will be difficult to navigate past in the knockout rounds. That helped them secure top spot in the group.
Jake Van Tubbergen has been a force this season; averaging 13.9 points and 8.2 boards per game, with Ty Nichols pulling the strings by leading Peristeri with 17.0 points and 4.6 assists per contest. Next up, are domestic rivals PAOK with home advantage in the second leg.
4 - KK Bosna BH Telecom (+4)
Season record: 9-3
Being housed in a difficult Second Round group that featured a promising Oradea side, Cedevita Junior, who finished an impressive 5-1 in the Regular Season and powerhouse Pallacanestro Reggiana, KK Bosna were arguably outsiders to qualify for the Quarter-Finals.
However, not only did the Bosnian side advance, but they finished top of Group L with a 5-1 record. Edin Atic was undoubtedly the star of the Second Round - putting up performances when his side needed it the most - averaging 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the last six games. Bosna heads into the last eight full of confidence and nothing to lose. They will be dangerous.
5 - PAOK BC (-1)
Season record: 9-3
Last season's Finalists have progressed nicely en route to the Quarter-Finals, albeit with two blips against Bilbao in the Second Round. PAOK BC will always be a nightmare matchup, given their deep roster and their fiercely vocal fanbase.
At this exact stage, last season, PAOK boasted the same 9-3 record they own this campaign, but while players like Frank Bartley and Shavar Reynolds are no longer at the club, the Greek outfit has Cleveland Melvin, Ben Moore and Timmy Allen steering the ship. Can they overcome domestic rivals to reach the Semi-Finals once more?
6 - Aliaga Petkimspor (-3)
Season record: 8-4
After a strong start in the Second Round, Aliaga Petkimspor lost their way in the last two games, losing both, leaving them looking to bounce back when they begin their Quarter-Final against a red-hot Bilbao side.
A tough ask, but the FIBA Europe Cup debutants will go into the tie looking to build upon a strong campaign so far, where amongst the established teams they have beaten so far are Dinamo Sassari, Casademont Zaragoza and Oradea, amongst others. Dutch international Yannick Franke has also been in red-hot form for the Turkish outfit.
7 - Pallacanestro Reggiana (-2)
Season record: 7-5
Pallacanestro Reggiana has had an inconsistent season, yet has somehow made it to the Quarter-Finals. A 3-3 record in the Regular Season was followed by an improved 4-2 mark in the Second Round, but those two defeats came in their final two encounters to miss out on top spot.
Despite the win-loss record, Reggiana can be a match for anyone on its day. Led by Jaylen Barford's 15.2 points per game and the outstanding Troy Caupain, who fills the stats up with 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists, Reggiana head to the last eight with nothing to lose and plenty of belief they can upset Murcia.
8 - Falco Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely (+6)
Season record: 7-5
From the edge of elimination to the pure ecstasy of qualification. KC Szombathely won their final two games, while Rostock Seawolves incredibly lost their final two - one of them to Szombathely - to leave the Hungarian side free to punch their ticket to the Quarter-Finals.
It's no more than they deserve, but now, led by Zoltan Perl, who leads the team with 17.8 points per game, they must continue their form from the final two games of the Second Round in order to keep the fairytale going.
FIBA