Valencia Basket is one win far from securing the best record in the BKT EuroCup Regular Season after defeating Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 66-72 at Arena Stozice on Tuesday 

Valencia bested Cedevita on the road, 66-72

Valencia Basket is one win far from securing the best record in the BKT EuroCup Regular Season after defeating Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 66-72 at Arena Stozice on Tuesday night. The visitors had to overcome a 15-0 run early in the first period and needed to wait till the last quarter to earn a game-high 56-63 advantage that Josep Puerto converted into a win with back-to-back threes late in the game. 

Valencia improved to 15-2 and can secure home-court advantage throughout the postseason if it wins or Bahcesehir College Istanbul loses in Round 18, while Cedevita dropped to 10-7, but still could confirm a playoff berth this week depending on Wednesday’s results.

Puerto led all Valencia scorers with 13 points, followed by Chris Jones and Xavi Lopez-Arostegui, who provided 12 and 10, respectively. Brynton Lemar paced Cedevita with 14 points, Devin Robinson recorded a double-double of 12 points and 12 boards, DJ Stewart did the same with 11 and 12, while Aleksej Nikolic scored 11 in the losing effort.

Game Videos

Despite Nate Sestina opening fire from deep, the hosts showed great energy in the early going and went on a 13-0 run with all starters scoring to force the first timeout by Valencia. Cedevita went a little bit further with a basket by Stewart to earn a 15-3 edge, but the visitors rapidly found offensive momentum when Jones and Brancou Badio teamed up. Five points by the former launched Valencia and 5 more by Puerto brought the visitors within 18-17 after 8 minutes. Stefan Jovic completed the comeback with an extraordinary offensive move to close the first quarter with Valencia enjoying its first lead of the game, 20-21.

Jovic opened fire in the second with another bucket, as the offensive woes continued for the home side, due to several turnovers and missed free throws. But Cedevita didn’t step back and built on defense, stopping Valencia’s scorers from getting momentum, as Joan Beringer and Lemar combined to return the lead to the hosts, 24-23. Both teams swapped leads and the game had several ties until Lemar made it 32-29 with a corner three-pointer. Puerto came to the rescue to minimize the disadvantage to 32-31, but missed a buzzer-beating three that allowed Cedevita to lead at halftime.

Game News

Semi Ojeleye and Nikolic traded three-pointers soon after the game resumed, as both teams based their offenses on long-range shooting, but with no big success except those. Robinson rose with a monster dunk and a smooth jumper to keep Cedevita ahead, but Valencia didn’t lose track and remained close, 41-40, midway through the third quarter. A three-point play by Sestina after a TV timeout brought the lead back the visitors, 41-43, but Cedevita managed to stay calm using the free-throw line and offensive rebounding. Ojeleye hits his second from behind the arc to make it 47-48, but Beringer kept the hosts up at the end of the third period with a dunk, 49-48.

Valencia geared up early in the fourth, as Ojeleye hit again from deep and Jaime Pradilla capped a fastbreak with a slam to boost Valencia to a 49-53 edge and force a Cedevita timeout after only 1:18. Stewart and Robinson took over then, helping the hosts ahead 56-55. Another spurt, this time coming from Lopez-Arostegui and Jones, switched the lead again, and set a game-high 7-point difference for Valencia, 56-63, with 4 minutes to play. Stewart and Lemar brought Cedevita within one possession right after the timeout, but the hosts couldn’t do anything against Puerto, who chained together a couple of triples to make it 63-69 with less than 100 seconds to go. Nikolic hit a long three to keep Cedevita alive, but consecutive misses by Stewart and Lemar allowed Badio and Costello to seal the outcome, 66-72.

Despite recording its second-lowest scoring output of the season, Valencia claimed another win

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Valencia Basket (2025-01-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul rolled on with its fifth win in the last six games to cement the top spot in Group A of the BTK EuroCup and improved to 14-3 after an 85-81 home win over ratiopharm Ulm as the German side slipped to 9-8

Bahcesehir left Ulm’s playoff fate hanging in the balance

[Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) rolled on with its fifth win in the last six games to cement the top spot in Group A of the BTK EuroCup and improved to 14-3 after [an 85-81 home win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/tai-odiase-shines-as-bahcesehir-edges-ulm-85-81/) over [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/roster/ulm/?season=2024-25) as the German side slipped to 9-8.

More importantly for Ulm, it missed a chance to seal a playoff berth with a game to spare after overturning a 15-point second-half deficit, only to let a 75-76 lead slip away in the home stretch as [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) stepped up for Bahcesehir.

It would have been a big ask for Ulm to win such a tough road game under any circumstances, but the visitors will be kicking themselves in the teeth for drawing blanks when the chips were down, having roared back after trailing 51-36.

The result means Ulm’s fate is out of its own hands, as it needs other results to go its way ahead of the final regular season round, when it hosts [Hapoel Shlomo Teal Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25). Should it fail to qualify, Ulm may well be haunted by [an 82-85 home loss to Buducnost Voli Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/buducnost-wins-thriller-at-ulm-82-85/) and even more so by the [85-71 debacle at Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/trento-rolls-past-ulm-86-71-to-keep-playoff-hopes-alive/) in the previous two games, with the Italian side out of contention.

Ulm’s head coach Ty Harrelson rued the missed opportunity but lauded his team's valiant second-half effort.

“I am proud of my team the way we came back in the second half. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the plays in the last minute and a half or so and that made the difference,” Harrelson said in his postgame comments. “The home team showed their composure and their experience when the game got tight and that’s something for us to learn from.”

Bahcesehir had more in the tank in the last few minutes and Odiase, who paced the Turkish side with a game-high 22 points, highlighted that it was his team’s defense that made the difference in a dramatic finish.

“They are a really good team in transition but we stuck to our defensive principles and got the win,” Odiase said. “We turned the ball over a bit too many times but we were able to keep our composure down the stretch,” he added. 

Bahcesehir head coach Dejan Radonjic was pleased after his team dug deep to keep its perfect home record intact, despite already being assured of finishing top of the group and thus clinching an automatic quarterfinal berth.

“It was a tough game against a very good opponent full of young and talented players,” the Montenegrin tactician said. ”They play in a specific way but defensively we did a lot of good things, especially in the first half. We lacked energy in the last 10 minutes, but we did enough to win the game.”

The German side missed a chance to seal its postseason berth with a game to spare 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v ratiopharm Ulm (2025-01-28T16:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul ground out a hard-fought 85-81 home win over ratiopharm Ulm in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup and improved to 14-3 in Group A, while the German side slipped to 9-8 after a fourth successive loss. 

Tai Odiase shines as Bahcesehir edges Ulm, 85-81

Bahcesehir College Istanbul ground out a hard-fought 85-81 home win over ratiopharm Ulm in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup and improved to 14-3 in Group A, while the German side slipped to 9-8 after a fourth successive loss.

Bahcesehir had already secured the top spot in the group but the result could turn out to be damaging for Ulm, which now needs other results to go its way if it is to clinch a playoff berth.

The towering Tai Odiase carried Bahcesehir with a game-high 22 points, shooting 7 of 9 from the floor and 8 of 9 from the line. Jaleen Smith added 15 points and Axel Bouteille chipped in with 14 for the home team, which blew a 15-point lead in the second half before it forced the final twist.

At the other end, Nelson Weidemann racked up 18 points and 5 boards for Ulm, while Justinian Jessup added 17 points and 7 boards. Noa Essengue contributed 13 points and Isaiah Roby chipped in with 11 for the visitors, who committed 17 turnovers and managed as many assists.

Both teams made a flying start from downtown early on as Bahcesehir sank 5 of 9 in the first quarter while Ulm made 4 of 6, with Odiase netting 9 points for the hosts in the opening quarter. His effort was countered at the other end by Jessup, who scored 11.

Having carved out a slender 24-23 lead, Bahcesehir hit top gear in the second quarter as the home side ramped up its defense and kept shooting the lights out from long range. Bahcesehir took better care of the ball in the first half as the Turkish side dished out 13 assists while Ulm amassed only 5, allowing the home team to take a comfortable 44-34 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Ulm looked out for the count early in the third quarter as Bahcesehir raced clear 51-36, but the German outfit then found another gear and slashed the deficit to 63-55 ahead of the final 10 minutes of the contest. Searching for an unlikely win that would have sealed its playoff berth with a game to spare, Ulm headed into the fourth quarter with all guns blazing and sank a barrage of three-pointers.

Having closed in on the hosts with a 5-12 run, Ulm went on to turn the tide and nose ahead 75-76 with a few minutes remaining, but Bahcesehir showed its steel in the home straight and wrestled the game away from Ulm to keep its perfect home record intact. 

The home team’s big man dominated throughout and came up big in the home stretch

Reyer Venezia guard Tyler Ennis spoke to Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net ahead of the final two games of the EuroCup regular season.

Tyler Ennis: 'We can literally beat any team, even EuroLeague teams'

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) is in the thick of the playoff hunt in the BKT EuroCup, sitting seventh in Group B with two games to play, with a big road contest coming up against [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) on Wednesday night. With that in mind, [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Javier Gancedo spoke with ex-Turk Telekom and current Reyer point guard [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) in this week’s EuroCup interview.

Ennis’s return from injury, having missed Rounds 3 through 8, has been a big reason for Reyer’s resurgence as the Italian team has gone 7-2 over the last nine games after starting the season 2-5. Having made his EuroCup debut with Turk Telekom in 2021-22, the 30-year-old – and the brother of Dylan Ennis, who asks a question of his own in this interview – has averaged 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 games this year, but there’s the job’s not finished yet.

Umana Reyer Venice guard Tyler Ennis averages 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 EuroCup games this season.

2024-25 EuroCup highlights: Tyler Ennis, Reyer

**Hello, Tyler. First things first, we have to talk about Reyer’s crucial 76-75 win against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem last week. What allowed you to get the win in this back-and-forth game?**

"Obviously, we knew Jerusalem had a lot of firepower. Jared Harper, \[Khadeen\] Carrington... so we really wanted to lock in defensively on that. But I think since we’ve kind of been getting bodies back every game and the new rotation, we wanted to continue with the chemistry we have, continue building and getting some wins at home. I think there was one point where we were winning more on the road than we were at home, so we wanted to come out and obviously just get any win we can to stay in the race. And they played well. They played their game, but we held them to some tough shots and ended up coming out with the win at the end. It was really close."

**In fact, it went down to the final play – a missed shot by Carrington that would have changed the whole playoff picture in the EuroCup. Can you take us back to that final play?**

"Ideally, you don't want to have your center switch onto the highest scoring guard in the EuroCup: Harper. But we trust Mfi Kabengele to guard guys. He is athletic enough to change a lot of shots, and I think he forced Harper to think twice about the first one, and then he kind of locked in. We all were hugged up to our guys, and you don't want to give up a second chance but we put in another effort and made Carrington miss. And then somebody tipped it out, so... not an ideal end to the game. Obviously, if this is the championship, these games could go in different ways. But on that night, I thought we did a good job of just continuing to play through, sending them to the free-throw line a lot. We played through a lot of adversity that we have dealt with and just stayed together, which is kind of our main mantra right now, just staying together, staying positive."

**Like you said, you got some bodies back. Xavier Munford and you were injured, and more players missed some games. On the flip side, Kabengele has been amazing all season long, too. How is the team feeling right now given that everybody is back?**

"Yeah, we feel good. I think people being healthy kind of allowed other people to play the roles they anticipated coming into the season. We had guys playing point guard that weren't point guards and different things like that, so we are just putting it together. Whoever is healthy, we have more than enough to play with anybody, to beat anybody, and we are showing that we can. We want to just be more consistent. We don't want to drop the games that we are in and we have a chance to win. And I think going into the second round, I think we were in every game, even the ones we lost. We just have to come ready and consistent."

Tyler Ennis: 'Whoever is healthy, we have more than enough to play with anybody, to beat anybody'

**Your next game is in Ankara against Turk Telekom, one of your former teams. You also worked with coach Erden Can when you were with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. So you know what to expect and this is a crucial game, the game of the season for you guys. How do you feel going into this one?**

"We feel good. Obviously, it is a totally different game than the first round. With so much at stake, you want to come focused and as ready as possible. It's going to be a great atmosphere. It's going to be a great, great game. but at the end of the day, we just have to come out with a win. At this point in the season, we want to play great. We want to do everything right, but things don't go that way. As long as we come out with the win, put ourselves into the playoffs, hopefully everybody will be happy, and I think it will kind of be a great moment. After all the team went through at the start the season, I think it would be a great moment for us that shows our resilience and hopefully continues to carry on with us until the end of the season."

**Your brother Dylan Ennis made it to the All-EuroCup Second Team a few years ago. Are in touch with each other? Do you follow each other's careers?**

"Yeah, we talk every day. We were lucky enough to play against each other while we were both playing in Turkiye. We have had very different careers and are obviously different players, but we always go through the ups and downs of being a professional athlete. And I think it's just great to have somebody to lean on, who knows me personally, who knows my intentions and everything, and to kind of give you a different outlook on problems you are having or even on the positive things, just to kind of congratulate you on some good things that are going on. So we speak every day, whether it's about basketball life or just anything."

**Well, I’ve spoken to Dylan, too, and asked him to throw in this question: When you were young, how many video game controllers did you break because you were losing?**

"(Laughs hard) Too many. Too many! I have to give some backstory. At the time, I was the youngest so I got bullied a lot. I lost a lot, whether we were playing video games, whether we were fighting, playing basketball outside, I was losing. I was three years younger than Dylan, and I'm five years younger than our oldest brother \[Brandon\]. So I think that built my competitive edge. Obviously, at that age, you don't know how to control your emotions too much. And maybe that's that taught me how to do it now, but it made me want to win. It made me want to be better than them at everything and gave me that drive and competitive force. So I give them a lot of credit for my career and what I have been able to do, being able to follow in their footsteps and eventually take my own path. But yeah, I was definitely the angry brother growing up... maybe not the angry, but the emotional brother. And now, I think it has flipped. I think Dylan is more emotional."

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**It happens. I also wanted to ask you about the other two Canadians in the team. How great is it to be around so many Canadians, people that you know from the national team? Has it helped the team gel together quicker?**

"I think me and Kyle \[Wiltjer\], this is our third team playing together. We played on the \[Houston\] Rockets and then we played on Turk Telekom together, so this is our third stop together, a third different team, so we already have a chemistry on the court. We kind of know: he knows what I'm looking for, I know what spots he likes, and then off the court, we have been great friends since we met. He was one of the main reasons I came to Venice, to be able to talk to him and get his experience on basketball, life off the court and everything. So it was an exciting opportunity to come play with him again. With Mfi \[Kabengele\], I actually feel he’s a little bit younger than me. He grew up watching me, but I watched him in high school and going to Florida State. This is my first experience being on a team with him, but it's been a pleasure. Obviously, you could see we kind of hit it off right away with the way I play and what I'm looking for, and what he needs as a big guy. We have a lot of pick and rolls together, and I think we just trust each other to be in the right spot and to find each other. So hopefully he is able to be rewarded for the amazing season he is having with some accolades, and obviously that depends on how well we finish the season. So I'm excited for him in his career. I think this is really a breakout year in Europe for him."

Tyler Ennis on Mfiondu Kabengele: 'I think this is really a breakout year in Europe for him'

**February is around the corner, which means it is do-or-die time in the EuroCup, the end of the regular season. How exciting is it for a basketball player to get there, when things are finally decided and more important games are coming up?**

"It's great! I mean, it's obviously a lot more pressure, a lot more riding on every game, but I think that’s what you play for. I don't think you really see too much the tie that we have on our side of the EuroCup \[with five teams from third to seventh, including Turk Telekom, on a 9-7 record\]. I think that's pretty unique with so many teams, all with the same record and whatnot. But I think if you asked us when we were going through those losses at the start of the year and the injuries, that if we’d take being in this position, I think we would all agree to it. We were able to kind of turn the season around in terms of wins, but none of that matters unless we clinch the playoffs, and that's our plan. But looking back and being reflective for a second, I think it has been a great turnaround and showed a lot of character for everybody on our team to just continue to fight through the obstacles and stay together."

**Let's talk about the tie: five teams with a 9-7 record and one of them will be eliminated at the end of the regular season. The good thing for all the teams in this tie is that winning both games takes you there for sure. No one depends on other people's results right now. How great is it to hold your EuroCup destiny in your own hands?**

"I think that's all you can ask for in this situation that we have been in. Ideally, you want to be first or second and get the \[eighthfinals\] bye, but things don't always go that way. So we will kind of be where our feet are and focus on Turk Telekom. I think it's storybook that I get to go back and play my old team for the first time. I haven't played in Ankara since I played there, I think three years ago. We want the storybook ending and to leave Ankara happy, but we know it is going to be tough. We know it is gonna be a tough game. They have a great coach and really talented players. So we are looking forward to the experience, the atmosphere and everything that goes along with a game like this."

**Finally, after these next two games, the competition takes a break and returns for the playoffs. That's plenty of time for a team to get in shape and perform at its best. If you qualify, how dangerous can Reyer be in the long run?**

"Whether we are playing in our domestic league or in the EuroCup, I think we can literally beat any team, even EuroLeague teams. I think talent-wise, we are right up there with everybody, and it's just on us to come and play with energy and be consistent. So I think if I was on the other side, and I’d seen that we got the draw of our team, I think it's a little bit more worrisome than a lot of other teams. But talent only takes you so far, you have to go out there and produce. We are focused on the right things now; getting players back healthy is all we could ask for. We are just looking forward to the competition and looking forward to making the playoffs. We just have to get it done."

The Reyer guard is feeling confident ahead of the team's final two regular-season games

Turk Telekom Ankara v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-01-29T16:30:00.000Z)

The Dominican Republic is famous for the baseball players it produces, but Valencia Basket guard Jean Montero knew from a young age that basketball was the sport for him.

Nothing given, everything earned: Jean Montero living his life motto in EuroCup stardom

For a kid growing up in the Dominican Republic that picks up sports, the obvious choice was, is and probably will forever be baseball.

Baseball is by far the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic, and the country has a very long tradition of exporting numerous players to the big stage: specifically, the USA’s Major League Baseball. Most young people who dream of a successful career as an athlete will grab a bat and a mitt rather than a basketball.

It didn’t take long for [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) guard [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) to make up his mind as to which sport hits all the right buttons for him.

“I was easily bored while growing up,” Montero told Eurohoops. “I wanted to get to be active. I wanted to get tired. I wanted to run. Do something, have some activity in the game that requires a lot of running and all the stuff in it. That’s why I chose basketball. I was playing both baseball and basketball, but basketball was just more fun to me.”

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1777464/nothing-given-everything-earned-jean-montero-living-his-life-motto-in-eurocup-stardom/).

The Valencia guard has been one of the competition’s best players this season

Aris BC has confirmed the appointment of Nikos Vetoulas as its new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Aris appoints Nikos Vetoulas as head coach

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/ari/) has confirmed the appointment of Nikos Vetoulas as its new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Vetoulas, who started his coaching career as an assistant at Aris in the 2008-09 campaign, also represented the club as a player in 2003-04, helping the team win the Greek Cup.

With Aris, Vetoulas will coach in the BKT EuroCup for the first time in his career.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✍️ Ο Νίκος Βετούλας στον ΑΡΗ Midea<br><br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/u9vAgh4Gbc">https://t.co/u9vAgh4Gbc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISFAMILY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISFAMILY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WELCOMECOACH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WELCOMECOACH</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zd8SXDLlDj">pic.twitter.com/Zd8SXDLlDj</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1884178439495901509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 50-year-old most recently coached Maroussi between February 7, 2024, and October 27, 2024, while his other coaching experience came with Apollon Patras (2010-15), Promitheas Patras (2016-17), the Rethymno Cretan Kings (2017-18), Kolossos Rodou (2018-19), Ionikos Nikaias (2019-20), and then again with Apollon Patras (2020-23).

More Aris News

The 50-year-old played for Aris back in the 2003-04 season, winning the Greek Cup

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 17 in the EuroCup.

EuroCup Fantasy tips, Round 17: Fighting for big goals!

The 2024-25 EuroCup Regular Season is coming to an end, as Round 17 should see more teams make it to the playoffs and lock a quarterfinal spot.

There are still more opportunities to win in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). Some teams are eliminated and may use different rotations in Round 17. So, I'm going to avoid players from those teams in my weekly recommendations.

Noa Essengue, Berkan Durmaz, DJ Seeley, Jean Montero and McKinley Wright are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 17

### DJ Seeley, U-BT Cluj-Napoca (10.7 credits)  

He earned Round 16 MVP honors, but this is not the only reason why I chose [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) as my first choice this week. First, he has great value at 10.7 credits. Second, Cluj is fighting to qualify. And third, it was not just a one-game wonder. Seeley has averaged 22.3 points on 19-of-31 three-pointers over the last four games!

### Noa Essengue, ratiopharm Ulm (10.7 credits)  

The season goes on and [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) is not hitting any kind of wall. The 18-year-old forward keeps shocking everybody with his all-around performances, posting 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 28 last week against Buducnost. Essengue is the real deal – buy him now!

### Jean Montero, Valencia Basket (12.0 credits)

Other than having one of the coolest nicknames in basketball, "The Problem" is living up to his name in the EuroCup this season. Valencia could all but mathematically lock the top-seeded spot with a win against Cedevita, and [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) has averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 assists and a PIR of 18.3 in the last three games.

### McKinley Wright, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (11.0 credits)

A very interesting choice, as [McKinley Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/) has been on fire lately. He had a PIR of 26 in just 17 minutes in an ABA League game this past weekend. He had a double-digit PIR in each of the last four EuroCup games, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 16.8. A solid choice for just 11.0 credits!

### Berkan Durmaz, Turk Telekom Ankara (6.0 credits)

A cheaper, more affordable option. [Berkan Durmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berkan-durmaz/007917/) has been playing really well in recent games, getting 16 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 22 against Valencia, then 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 20 against Hamburg, before 3 points and a PIR of 8 against Cluj. If you are looking for a backup forward, Durmaz is the man!

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 17

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-01-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Joventut Badalona (2025-01-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris BC has parted ways with head coach Ioannis Kastritis, the club confirmed on Monday.

Aris parts ways with coach Ioannis Kastritis

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/ari/) has parted ways with head coach Ioannis Kastritis, the club confirmed on Monday.

Sixteen games into the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, Aris sits bottom of Group B with a 3-13 record – the second-worst mark of any team in the competition.

Last season, Kastritis’s Aris returned to the EuroCup after a seven-season absence and posted a 9-9 in the regular season, good for fifth in Group B and a place in the playoffs. However, Aris lost in the eighthfinals to Prometey Slobozhanske.

Overall, Kastritis went 12-23 in 35 EuroCup with Aris.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">‼️ Λύση συνεργασίας με τον Γιάννη Καστρίτη<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/JuZlsDpt97">https://t.co/JuZlsDpt97</a> <a href="https://t.co/GTWjZnnVeD">pic.twitter.com/GTWjZnnVeD</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1883858828007284948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“The 43-year-old coach has given his services to ARIS Midea for three and a half consecutive seasons and his contribution has been truly great,” Aris said in a statement confirmed Kastritis’s departure.

“In the first two years, with the smallest budgets in the Greek League, the team made very good progress, while last year they returned to the top four of the league and in their return to the BKT EuroCup, not only stood decently against major European powers, but also qualified for the playoffs.

“In a meeting held today (27/01) at the club’s offices, it was decided to terminate the cooperation with the Tripolitsian coach. We thank Ioannis Kastritis from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has offered, and he will always be a part of the history of ARIS Midea. We wish him all the best in the rest of his career.”

The Greek side has struggled in this year’s EuroCup campaign

With just two rounds remaining in the regular season, playoff places and seeded status could be decided in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

Round 17 at a glance: Will the playoff floodgates open this week?

With just two rounds remaining in the regular season, playoff places and seeded status could be decided in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

## Tuesday, January 28, 2025

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. ratiopharm Ulm (17:00 CET)

Group A winner Bahcesehir (13-3) will look to gear up for the playoffs against an Ulm team (9-7) fighting to stay in the all-important top six. The German team has dipped in form at the worst time, losing three straight games, including last week’s potentially costly home defeat to Buducnost. Bahcesehir is coming off an 84-77 loss against Hapoel, but could be forgiven for taking its foot off the gas with first place already secured. The all-action [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) was key when the teams last met, combining 20 points with 5 assists and 4 steals to propel a 72-80 Bahcesehir road win. Ulm, which would clinch a playoff berth with a win, desperately needs to improve its defense this week, having allowed at least 83 points in six consecutive games.

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Valencia Basket (18:30 CET)

Second-placed Cedevita (10-6) will look for a vital home win to retain that position with a visit from group winner Valencia (14-2). Facing the competition’s most prolific offense, the Slovenian team needs to tighten up after allowing 20 assists in last week’s loss at Bourg. Cedevita guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/) is one of the best ball thieves in the EuroCup, snaring 3 steals last week, and that pressure will be crucial to disrupt the rhythm of Valencia orchestrators [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) and [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/), who combined for 16 assists in last week’s thumping of Aris. The Spanish team’s offensive potential was on full display when the teams met in Round 8, winning 109-80 with seven different double-digit scorers, so Cedevita knows how tough its task is.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Jones vs. Jones

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (20:00 CET)

Wolves (8-8) will try to force their way into the top six with a trip to face already-eliminated Trento (6-10). The Lithuanian team gave its playoff hopes a massive boost with last week’s dominant victory over Gran Canaria, when big man [Marek Blazevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marek-blazevic/008186/) was unstoppable as he netted 27 points alongside 6 rebounds. Trento also won big last time out, putting 100 points on the board against Joventut, and Blazevic faces a good battle against rising star [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/saliou-niang/012687/), who's averaged a PIR of 16.3 over the last three games and looks better every week. Wolves won 88-83 when the teams met in Round 8 and another win would only boost its chances of playoff progression.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Mawugbe vs Blazevic

## Wednesday, January 29, 2025

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Umana Reyer Venice (17:30 CET)

Two of the five teams tied for third place in an incredibly competitive Group B go head to head, with Turk Telekom (9-7) welcoming Reyer (9-7). The hosts need a 9-point victory to also claim the potentially decisive head-to-head advantage, with Reyer winning 75-67 in Round 8’s first-ever meeting between the teams behind 10 points and 15 rebounds from dynamic big man [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/). So Turk Telekom will need another strong game from its own in-form center [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/), who's averaged 15.0 points over the last three games. The presence of Kabengele helps make Reyer the third-best rebounding team in the competition (37.2 boards per game), so Turk Telekom will have to fight hard to gain extra scoring opportunities for an offense that has misfired in the last three games, averaging just 78.7 points.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Alexander vs. Kabengele

### Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Trefl Sopot (18:00 CET)

Hapoel (10-6) will look to stay in Group A's second place by taking a home win against the competition's worst team, Trefl (1-13). The Israeli team has won four of its last five, last week downing group winner Bahcesehir thanks to 19 points and an impressive 7 assists from big man [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/). Another win would guarantee Hapoel at a minimum home-court advantage in the eighthfinals and a win coupled with a Gran Canaria loss would wrap up second place for Coach Itoudis's side. Considering the stakes and the talent gap between the teams, a Trefl win would be a massive surprise, but playmaker [Jakub Schenk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakub-schenk/013298/) showed he is capable of exploiting any defensive weaknesses by combining 15 points with 9 assists in last week’s loss at Besiktas. Hapoel powered to a 64-93 road win when the teams met in Round 8 behind 21 points from [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/), and will expect similar dominance this week.

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (18:00 CET)

Eliminated Lietkabelis (4-12) will look to upset the playoff dreams of a Cluj team (9-7) still fighting to claim second place in Group B. The Romanian champion gained its third win in four with a solid victory over Turk Telekom last week as [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) continued his outstanding form by sinking 8-of-9 three-pointers in his 31 points. Cluj also boasts the competition’s top-ranked distributor [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) (7.2 assists per night), so there’s clearly a big defensive challenge for a Lietkabelis team that has lost four in a row, most recently against lowly Hamburg. New signing [Djordje Gagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/djordje-gagic/profile/004229/) did excel in that game with 27 points and the center will need to be at his best again.

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (19:00 CET)

A battle to avoid finishing with Group B's wooden spoon will take place between Aris (3-13) and Hamburg (4-12). The teams head into the game in contrasting spirits, with Aris showing arguably the worst form in competition history after losing by 41 points in two consecutive games. Avoiding another defeat will not be straightforward against a Hamburg team that last week climbed off the foot of the standings by overcoming Lietkabelis 84-77 on the back of 22 points from [Johnathan Stove](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-stove/013503/), who has scored in double digits in all seven games for the team. Hamburg also won easily when the teams last met, 93-69, so it can mathematically avoid last place by prevailing in Greece on Wednesday.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Joventut Badalona (19:00 CET)

Buducnost (8-8) will be determined to stay in the top six - and keep its top-four hopes alive - by defeating already-eliminated Joventut (6-10). The Montenegrin team is on a hot streak after winning four of its last five games, and will look to exploit a Joventut defense that allowed 100 points in last week’s loss against Trento. Buducnost will be confident after taking the Round 8 meeting between the teams 78-72, courtesy of 28 points from [Devon Dotson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devon-durrell-dotson/013285/). Buducnost will hope [Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/) stays hot after netting multiple triples in four of the last five games.

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:30 CET)

It's third against fourth with everything to play for between two teams that could finish anywhere between second and seventh, with Bourg (9-7) hosting Hapoel Jerusalem (9-7). The hosts will be confident after gaining a strong win over Cedevita last week, when big man [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) delivered his best performance of the season with 22 points and 7 rebounds. He faces a good battle with [Gabriel Chachasvili](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabriel-chachashvili/013279/), whose double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds helped secure an 86-77 victory for Jerusalem when the teams met in Round 8. The visitor’s quest for a key road win will also be led by guard [Khadeen Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/), who has scored at least 15 points in the last five games.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Castaneda vs. Harper

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (21:00 CET)

Gran Canaria (10-6) will look to keep its top-two hopes alive by taking on another team still fighting for an eighthfinals bye, Besiktas (9-7). The Turkish team, which has lost four straight on the road, needs to win by 3 points or more to claim the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after Gran Canaria triumphed 74-76 in Istanbul in November. [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) was key to that victory with 17 points and he will want to stay hot after netting 20 in last week’s loss to Wolves. Besiktas has won two games in a row and has [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) in top form with 27 and 21 points in those triumphs. A Besiktas victory will see it formally clinch a ticket to the playoffs. 

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Homesley vs. Allman

The penultimate round of the regular season is going to be full of drama

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-01-29T20:00:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-01-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-01-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Trefl Sopot (2025-01-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2025-01-28T19:00:00.000Z)