EuroCup Women Power Rankings: The Round of 16 edition

MUNICH (Germany) - With the Regular Season and Play-Off Round 1 both done and dusted, it's time to check out the first EuroCup Women Power Rankings of the season.

Taking into account results, performances, roster changes and the all-important draw for the Round of 16, here's how things are potentially shaping up in what could be a very unpredictable remainder of the campaign.

1. LDLC ASVEL Feminin 

Season Record: 6-2
This will seem to be a rather bold prediction to many and that is justified. After-all, this Lyon side have lost twice this season and face a really tough Round of 16 tie against previous EuroLeague Women hopefuls ACS Sepsi-Sic, who are unbeaten. If Lyon don't box out against Sepsi, they will be dumped out of the competition and this ranking will truly look like a joke. But we are not pushing the panic button at that prospect because of the 'Gabby Factor'. Yes, with Gabby Williams firing on all cylinders, plus Marine Johannes and Julie Allemand in that backcourt, you have to feel they could go all the way. Don't you? Well maybe unless they meet their nemesis, BLMA!

2. Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring 

Season Record: 6-2
Two-time winners of this tournament and having also made the Final Four last season, the pedigree is there. They also have a quite incredible centerpiece in the powerhouse that is Teaira McCowan. The recent addition to the Turkey national team has had a phenomenal individual season with a double-double of more than 21 points and 13 rebounds per game. On the flip-side, one concern is just how reliant the team are on her contributions, meaning they have a lot of eggs in that one basket. But with Azura Stevens and Kamile Nacickaite also capable of big numbers, things look good for Galatasaray - even if BLMA is a very tough opponent next up.

Young Awak Kuier is a leader for Venezia who have made three Finals previously

3. Umana Reyer Venezia 

Season Record: 7-1 
Much to their frustration, the three-time runners up have always been the bridesmaid but never the bride. Could this be the year when it's fourth time lucky? They have a very winnable opponent in the Round of 16 against Elitzur Holon but they had a nightmare in the first leg of the Play-Off Round 1 against Sassari so do have some vulnerabilities and can't afford a repeat of such a concerning performance. Awak Kuier is such a massive talent and we look forward to a dunk at some point. Please? Jessica Shepard has big scoring ability and with Reyer strong from downtown, they look like candidates again.

4. Casademont Zaragoza 

Season Record: 8-0
One of just two teams yet to taste defeat so far, you have to admire the resilience of this Zaragoza team who have won several close games. That is always a good sign and especially when we are heading down the season stretch and into the dog-eat-dog knockout phase. Good coaching, smart decision-making and composure in crunch time has served them well and the test against Lublin will be a big one. Leonie Fiebich and Markeisha Gatling deliver a fearsome one-two punch under the basket, while Mariona Ortiz is pulling the strings well in the backcourt. 

5. Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 

Season Record: 6-2
Anything is possible when you have a class act like Kennedy Burke to call upon. The dynamic guard and winger showed her level in EuroLeague Women with Spar Girona and has transferred her skills this season to Lille. She is a potential MVP in waiting and the team needed her to dig them out of a hole in the Play-Off Round 1 against London Lions. But they are no one-baller team as Kamiah Smalls has almost flown under the radar and yet been superb and consistently impactful. Belgian national team coach Rachid Meziane has done a good job and with NKA Universitas ahead, he will feel his team can make the top 8. 

Shakira Austin has been unstoppable at times for Ramla who have their eyes on a Quarter-Finals place

6. Elitzur Landco Ramla 

Season Record: 7-1 
Third in points per game and third in assists in the competition, as well as having blasted away domestic rivals Maccabi Bnot in the Play-Off Round 1, you could argue Ramla deserve an even higher ranking. Plus, all this great teamwork has been centered around a fantastic season from FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 winner Shakira Austin who has been immense. The recent addition of the evergreen and influential Alysha Clark intensifies the questions as to why they are not in the top four. The answer? Gorzow in the Round of 16. That looks on paper at least to possibly be one of the closest match-ups. But what a tie it is set to be!

7. Flammes Carolo Basket 

Season Record: 7-1
Nobody has poured in more than the 87.5 points per game sunk by Flammes Carolo this season and offensively they have been real juggernauts. This is why they are big favorites to see off Cadi la Seu, who in stark contrast are the lowest scoring team left in the competition. There is a credible argument that the French club has not exactly gone up against the strongest opponents so far, but you can only beat who is put in front of you. When it comes to frontcourt duos, there are few partnerships as good as Nikolina Milic and Breanna Fraser. On that basis alone, Flammes Carolo remain a clear and present danger.

8. Angers 

Season Record: 7-1 
The surprise package of the season? Maybe. Nobody seemed to be talking about Angers and how they might be on course for a Quarter-Finals place. While Round of 16 opponents Castors Braine might have something to say about this, you have to hand big credit to the job Angers have done. Not least because they were flattened by almost 30 points in their opening game of the Regular Season. But they have bounced back beautifully, leaning mainly on the skilled Alexis Peterson and searing defensive pressure that sees them lead the competition in steals with 13.4 per game. They can really put the squeeze on opponents and it is hard to stand up to.

Tilbe Senyurek has played a key role for Gorzow in her first club season outside of Turkey

9. InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow 

Season Record: 6-2
As already mentioned, the Round of 16 matchup with Ramla could be a classic and there is every chance that if Gorzow play well, they will advance. After all, they are the Polish league leaders right now and have lost just one domestic game. Australian forward Alanna Smith has been terrific, while alongside her, Tilbe Senyurek has looked rejuvenated since she moved from her homeland in Turkey. With Lindsay Allen dishing up more than 6 assists per game in the backcourt, it's a nice mix and if they can shut down Shakira Austin, then beating Ramla is a distinct possibility.

10. BLMA 

Season Record: 7-1 
If BLMA were playing anyone other than Galatasaray you could make the case for them to be in the top eight, if not the top four. But coming up with a strategy to contain the powerhouse Teaira McCowan will be tough and they really do have to take better care of the ball now they are playing tougher teams. Still, BLMA have so many positives, including two wins against LDLC Asvel Feminin, who they also beat in the French league recently. Their main strength unlike many other clubs, is that they don't have one or two huge performers, but instead, have six players are in double digits for efficiency with Haley Peters, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens the pick. 

11. ACS Sepsi-Sic 

Season Record: 8-0
Sound the 'Out of Context' klaxon and sound it loud! Yes, there is an unbeaten 8-0 team down in 11th in the rankings. Harsh? Maybe. They are the best rebounding team left in the competition, have two amazing contributors in Khadijiah Cave and Bethy Mununga, a hugely capable coach in Zoran Mikes, fantastic support and they haven't lost. Okay, that makes this ranking sound a little crazy. But there are some questions over the depth of options in the backcourt and it is a concern. One thing is clear though, they have a great opportunity to knock number one power ranking side LDLC ASVEL Feminin off the top. In reality, this is maybe even a coin-toss tie. If Sepsi continue controlling the glass, they could still  advance.

Reka Lelik is a go-to baller for Castors Braine who have shifted up the gears in recent games

12. Castors Braine 

Season Record: 5-3
Momentum, momentum, momentum. It is why this is another dangerous ranking prediction because Castors Braine may have just hit top gear - or at least if their amazing Play-Off Round 1 displays against OGM Ormanspor are anything to go by. They were clinical in that first leg and their confidence is sky-high. Reka Lelik is a do-it-all force on the wings, Miriam Uro-Nile just posted her best show of the campaign in the paint, but Angers look like having the defense to maybe slow them down and the Belgians don't have great depth.

13. AZS UMCS Lublin 

Season Record: 6-2
Led by the outstanding Natasha Mack who has continually served up stellar displays including a number of double-doubles, Lublin have had an eye-catching season so far. They will they have every chance of beating a Zaragoza team yet to lose, but who have had close games that may have went the other way. The main two concerns for the Polish club is their heavy reliance on Mack and that they have labored from the three-point line. But if they can make some scores from long-range, could they cause a surprise?

Hungary national team baller Virag Kiss has impressed all season long for NKA Universitas

14. NKA Universitas Peac 

Season Record: 7-1
Few people have been talking about Peac, but they have the opportunity to make people sit up and take notice if they can jump out on Villeneuve d' Ascq. It's certainly a viable proposition since the Hungarian team have only lost once this season. The question is whether they have the kind of difference-maker like their opponents do in Kennedy Burke. Peac do have quality, since Sierra Calhoun, Virag Kiss and Cierra Burdick have all consistently performed at a high level, while collectively they are a great rebounding team.

15. Elitzur Holon 

Season Record: 7-1
It looks like being a tough task for Elitzur Holon to get past Umana Reyer Venezia and that feeds into why they are ranked so lowly. However, they did push Sepsi-Sic to within a point on the road, their only loss so far. Considering they were in the Qualifiers, it has been a very impressive season. Jennie Simms is always capable of a game-winning triple-double so they can't be ruled out, while Courtney Hurt is a major threat too.

16. Cadi La Seu 

Season Record: 4-4
Considering they don't even have a winning record this season, score less points than any other team and only have Jewell Tunstall in double-digits for efficiency, it is maybe not a surprise they occupy bottom spot. However, they often seem to find a way to hold teams to lower scores than average and to stay competitive. They will have to do this in a big way since they average more than 20 points less per game than Flammes Carolo Basket. They are big underdogs in this tie but are so awkward to play against.

Disclaimer: The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.