Several key matchups between direct rivals highlight Round 11 of the BKT EuroCup, which could go a long way toward deciding progress to the playoffs. Here’s your guide to the action.

At a glance: What to expect from Round 11

[Trefl Sopot vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/trefl-sopot-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/101/)

Trefl (0-10) will attempt to end its long wait for a first victory by overcoming Group A’s ninth-placed team, Trento (3-7), which faces a must-win game in its hopes of pushing for the playoffs. The Italian team has not won on the road all season and is on a three-game losing streak, but triumphed 84-76 when the teams met in October behind 20 points from [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/). This could be a low-scoring game between two teams who struggle offensively, especially from long-range as they’re respectively ranked next-to-last and last in three-point conversion rate (28.8% vs. 28.2%). Trefl will try to control the game in the paint through big man [Geoffrey Groselle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/geoffrey-groselle/013296/), who had 11 points and 9 rebounds in last week’s loss to Ulm.

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-valencia-basket/U2024/110/)

It’s bottom against top in Group B, with Hamburg (2-8) hoping to become the first team this season to inflict defeat upon rampant Valencia (9-0), which also leads the competition in scoring with 96.8 points per game. The Spanish side enjoyed a 27-point winning margin when the teams met earlier this season, so Hamburg knows it has to slow down the visiting playmakers after allowing 28 assists in that game – including 11 from rising star [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/). The German team’s resistance on that occasion was led by a season-high 19 points from guard [Brae Ivey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brae-ivey/013308/), who is now targeting a return to form from long-range after only making 2 of his 9 three-point attempts in the last two games.

[Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/turk-telekom-ankara-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/107/)

Turk Telekom (5-5) will attempt to protect its place in the all-important top six by overcoming struggling Aris (2-8). The Turkish team will look to build more momentum after last week’s crucial high-scoring win at Lietkabelis, powered by an MVP of the round performance from forward [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/). Turk Telekom’s more usual blueprint for success is the defense-first victory it took over Aris earlier this season, winning in Greece 63-68 after restricting the dangerous [Vassilis Toliopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/) to a season-low 8 points. Aris has the worst offensive production in the league, averaging just 74.5 points per game, so it needs its best performance of the season to snap a four-game losing streak and reignite its playoff hopes.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Brown vs. Nolley

[Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/104/)

A key battle between direct Group A rivals will see Wolves (5-5) seek a return to winning ways with a visit from Hapoel (6-4). The Lithuanian team has lost its way with two straight defeats and faces a Tel Aviv team searching for consistency after failing to win consecutive games since October. The visitors will be missing the injured [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/), but are expected to have star center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) back. Meanwhile, backcourt signing [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/), who powered last week’s comfortable victory over Joventut by pouring in 20 points, is rounding into form. Wolves, which must win by 6 to take the head-to-head advantage, will answer him with key guard [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/), who averages more than 30 minutes per game and netted 23 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting in last week’s loss at Bahcesehir.

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/u-bt-cluj-napoca-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2024/109/)

Another of this week’s many crucial battles in the playoff race sees Group B’s fifth welcome third as Cluj (5-5) takes on Bourg (6-4). Bourg won 84-73 when the teams met in October, so the Romanian team needs a victory of 12 points or more to wrestle back the head-to-head advantage. There should be plenty of points between the second and third highest-scoring teams in the EuroCup, respectively averaging 88.8 and 86.3 points. Expect key roles for Cluj playmaker [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who tops the competition in assists with 6.9 per night, and Bourg’s young guard [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/), who last week had his best game of the season with 17 points, 4 assists and 3 steals to help down Hamburg.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Simpson vs. Benitez

[Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/U2024/103/)

An Istanbul derby with plenty of significance in the race for postseason qualification sees Besiktas (6-4) welcome Group A leader Bahcesehir (9-1). The visitors have strung together a seven-game winning streak,  recently beating Wolves last week behind 19 points from all-around threat [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/), and boast the best defense in the competition with just 71.9 points per game allowed. But Besiktas is also confident after winning three of its last four and has the EuroCup’s highest three-point shooting conversion rate (39.9%), partly thanks to [Dustin Sleva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dustin-sleva/011927/) shooting an impressive 59.1% from deep including 3-of-4 in last week’s thrilling win over Buducnost. Bahcesehir won 87-66 when the teams met in October – expect this one to be much closer.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Sleva vs Bouteille

[Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2024/106/)

Hapoel Jerusalem (7-3) will look to maintain second place in Group B by overcoming a Lietkabelis team (2-7) desperate to relaunch its playoff push. Jerusalem is aiming to bounce straight back from last week’s loss at Valencia and will hope that forward [Chris Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-johnson/013277/) repeats his outstanding performance from that game (15 points, 12 rebounds). Lietkabelis has lost three in a row due to a leaky defense which has allowed 100, 100 and 98 points in those games, so improvement is needed against league-leading scorer [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) (22.3 points per game). Offensively, the Lithuanian team will look for guard [Martynas Varnas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/martynas-varnas/005521/) to continue the form which has seen him average 14 points over the last four games.

[Umana Reyer Venice vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/umana-reyer-venice-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2024/108/)

Another vital showdown in Group B will see in-form Reyer (5-5) seek the 6-point victory it needs to overtake Cedevita (6-4) in the standings. Cedevita edged the Round 2 meeting between the teams, 87-82, thanks to 17 points and 9 rebounds from [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) – who last week delivered his best performance of the season with 25 points to help overcome Cluj. Reyer has revitalized its challenge by rolling to three straight victories, partly thanks to the return from injury of [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/). The Canadian guard netted 19 points on 7-of-11 two-point shooting in last week’s win over Aris, and his ability to penetrate the paint will be a key factor in this crucial encounter.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Ennis vs. Jones

[Joventut Badalona vs. ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-ratiopharm-ulm/U2024/105/)

Struggling Joventut (3-7) will look to recover lost ground on the top six by overcoming an Ulm team (6-4) battling to at least maintain a share of third place in Group A. The Spanish team is coming off a pair of bad road losses, still unable to find a way of supporting the consistent excellence of big man [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/), and would benefit from more hustle after forcing a league-low 9.6 turnovers per game. Ulm is back in the groove after two straight wins, and teenage guard [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/) returned to form last week by netting 15 points in the home victory over Trefl. Joventut will also be wary of [Nelson Weidemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nelson-weidemann/006245/), who netted 17 points when the German team narrowly won in Round 2, 87-83.

[Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/102/)

The round concludes with Group A’s second-placed Gran Canaria (8-2) attempting to take a step closer to playoff qualification by overcoming visiting Buducnost (4-6). Gran Canaria has won three games straight and boasts an all-time 10-1 record against the Montenegrin team, which has never won this matchup on the road. To change that, Buducnost needs another strong display from big man [Kenan Kamenjas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-kamenjas/008325/), who posted a career-high 21 points in last week’s narrow loss to Besiktas. Gran Canaria needed overtime to prevail when the teams met in October and will hope that [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) – who has netted 10 triples in the last three games – can help provide a more comfortable victory this time around.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Conditt vs. Kamenjas

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2024-12-11T20:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-12-11T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2024-12-11T18:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-12-11T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Valencia Basket (2024-12-10T18:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-12-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-12-11T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv announced on Monday morning that star guard Patrick Beverley will miss time with a small tear in his quadriceps muscle.

Patrick Beverley sidelined with quadriceps tear

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) announced on Monday morning that star guard [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) will miss time with a small tear in his quadriceps muscle. Beverley, 36, suffered the injury in the Tel Aviv derby against [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) in the Israel Basketball Super League. He was taken for an MRI after which the tear was diagnosed. Beverley will be reevaluated in two weeks.

The 2012 EuroCup MVP, Beverley returned to the competition over the summer after 12 season in the NBA. In 10 EuroCup games with Hapoel, Beverley has averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals for a PIR of 17.7. He ranks among the competition leaders in [assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances) (fifth), [steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals) (tied for sixth), [defensive rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=defensiveRebounds) (4.2, ninth), [free throw accuracy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=freeThrowsPercent) (95.5%, ninth) and [PIR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=valuation) (10th).

The Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv star will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-12-18T18:00:00.000Z)

Stats review: Looking at which teams have dominated in first quarters

Valencia Basket notched the most important win of Round 10 when it defeated Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to get 2.5 games clear of them atop Group B.  To start the game, Valencia jumped out to a 33-26 first-quarter lead before building on their early success with a 26-12 second-quarter effort.

This is not the first time Valencia has blitzed a team out of the gate this season; it is averaging a league-best 1.23 points per possession in the first 5 minutes of games as it makes a concerted effort to test its opponents’ pick-and-roll coverages, move the ball around the perimeter, and look for shots along the three-point line in the opening minutes.  For reference, Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul leads all teams scoring 1.06 points per possession overall on the year.  Valencia had nine players make three-pointers in their Round 10 win while still making  47% of 38 attempts from beyond the arc.

As good as Valencia has been in the opening minutes this season, it ranks only second in first-quarter efficiency.  No team in the EuroCup has played as well offensively before the first break as Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, which is averaging 1.18 points per possession in first quarters this season.  While some of that success early in games can be traced to some timely shooting from Fletcher Magee and Juwan Morgan, the key to those fast starts has been Rasheed Sulaimon.  Leading the EuroCup by a wide margin in first-quarter scoring, averaging a blistering 1.50 points per possession early in games, the 30-year-old guard has hit the ground running most nights this season burning defenses playing both on and off the ball.

On the other end of the spectrum, Dreamland Gran Canaria has held opposing teams to just 0.84 points per possession in first quarters this season; that’s lower than the worst mark a team has posted in a season since the EuroCup moved to its current format. Coach Jaka Lakovic’s team has been aggressive in guarding pick-and-rolls without paying the price from the perimeter as the way the team has set the tone defensively to start games has kept it in step with Bahcesehir atop Group A. 

Among other superlatives, U-BT Cluj-Napoca has the best first-quarter point differential ranking in the top four in both offensive and defensive efficiency with Valencia and Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul not far behind above the +30 mark. 

Bahcesehir has been this season’s most effective offensive team in the second and fourth quarters while Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius narrowly beat out several teams to rank as the EuroCup’s top offense coming out of halftime.  One separator Valencia and Bahcesehir have found through the first part of the season has been their defense coming out of the half.  With both teams allowing less than 0.78 points per possession, they have consistently disrupted the rhythm of opposing offenses to start second halves.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki and Cosea JL Bourg-En-Bresse came out ahead of a cluster of teams to rank as the best second-and-fourth-quarter defensive units, respectively.

With a pretty clear hierarchy beginning to form in the standings, it is worth noting that there is no shortage of teams who excel consistently in certain moments or show more potential than their current placement suggests at some junctures.

The teams that excel consistently early in the games stand out in the standings, too

[DeVante' Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) experienced a European debut that very few basketball players do. The [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) guard was part of almost a rock-star show that included games in Las Vegas and meeting Kylian Mbappe. And it was all because of Victor Wembanyama.

Jones’s connection with the current NBA sensation goes back to their mutual trainer, Tim Martin. Jones and Wembanyama worked out at the same gym in the summer of 2022 in Dallas.

“I was like, is that the guy everybody's raving about? So I walked over and had a talk with him and we hit it off right away,” Jones remembered.

And when Jones’s agent told him of the opportunity to play with Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92, he jumped at it.

“The first day I got the Paris I went over to Victor and it was like we've been together all the time, our whole lives. He was one of the best teammates I ever played with, just very unselfish,” said Jones.

The 2022-23 season was a great ride with Metropolitans. In October 2022, the team flew to Las Vegas to play against the G League Unite team in two exhibition games. It was a chance for the world to see Wembanyama go up against the player most people thought had the best chance to get picked number one in the 2023 NBA Draft over him – Scoot Henderson. And Wembanyama didn’t disappoint with games of 37 and 36 points.

“It was amazing. The stars in Vegas: LeBron \[James\], Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, etc. They came just to support Victor. But just being able to see guys that you look up to or you watch every day, it was kind of amazing,” Jones said.

“I think being in Vegas, that's when Victor really solidified himself being the number one pick… He was just doing some crazy things that you were just not used to seeing. And he had the whole crowd cheering his name and things like that. So it was great. Just having the opportunity to play in front of LeBron James. Just having all that media attention. Staying in a great hotel. Just being able to enjoy Vegas, just being out there for a week, really just enjoying it.”

The Wemby Show also gave Jones a chance to meet some of the biggest stars in the world. There was an NBA Draft Lottery watch party held at the Nike facility in Paris and world football stars like Mbappe and Neymar were there – in addition to Jones.

“Victor did a great job just making us feel famous as well,” he said.

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The French League season ended with Metropolitans losing to AS Monaco in the finals, falling 3-0 to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team. That didn’t go over well with Wembanyama.

“Man, he cried so much. He was just so hurt,” Jones said. “After we lost that last game, we got in a circle and Victor says: I will never be swept again. And just hearing that come from somebody that young, just the competitiveness he had, and the maturity he showed throughout the whole season, that's something you don't really see.”

The two parted ways after the season. Wembanyama, of course, went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and won the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award for an outstanding first season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Jones left Metropolitans but stayed in France, moving to Le Mans. He ranked second in the league in scoring with 15.9 points per game, taking on a different role while also dishing out 5.2 assists per game – the fifth-best average in the French top flight.

“I didn't play with as much talent and in order for us to get some wins and compete, I had to take more of that scoring role. Also, while being a playmaker as well,” Jones said. “When it comes to me, I can adjust and adapt to any situation. If I need to score, I score. If I need to be able to make reads, make passes, I do that as well.”

Le Mans ended up taking 11th place in the league and missing the playoffs.

This season, Jones is debuting in the BKT EuroCup with Cedevita, which poses him a different challenge since he is playing in a different league and also facing teams from throughout Europe.

"What stands out is the pace of the game. It's very special,” he commented. “Valencia is very fast. They get the ball out quick. They shoot the ball within five seconds sometimes of the shot clock. Each game is different, though. Every team brings something different. And it's fun because you just never know who you're going to play against.”

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Looking back, Jones enjoys talking about that first year in France with Wembanyama. There are a lot of things he remembers of the Frenchman’s star talent: how he worked out in the weight room with no socks or shoes to help strengthen his feet; his preparation, including getting to practice early to mentally get himself together; the way he carried himself as the first to be in the gym and the last to leave; seeing him just to hate losing; having to play him one-on-one over and over again.

“It's not normal. So just seeing that, such a competitive nature at his age is like, I like this. So it started rubbing off on me and the whole team. So, I learned a lot from Victor.”

It’s fair to say Jones enjoyed his wild, season-long ride with Victor Wembanyama.

The EuroCup rookie enjoyed a memorable season playing alongside the current San Antonio Spurs superstar

DeVante' Jones and his wild European debut with Victor Wembanyama 

Look back at all the action in Round 10 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 10

Look back at all the action from Round 10 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Dimitris Itoudis's coaching and the play of Marcus Bingham and Yam Madar alongside guards Patrick Beverley and Antonio Beverley were all key as Hapoel Tel Aviv BC roared past Joventut Badalona 95-70 on Wednesday night at Samakov Arena in Bulgaria. 

Coach Itoudis has already made an impact at Hapoel Tel Aviv

It’s been a busy few weeks for [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) since [Dimitris Itoudis was appointed as head coach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-tel-aviv-appoints-dimitris-itoudis-two-time-euroleague-champ/). Soon after, the team acquired big man [Marcus Bingham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-bingham/013506/), then signed guard [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) and finally announced that star center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) was returning to the team.

Itoudis's coaching and the play of Bingham and Madar alongside guards [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) and [Antonio Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) were all key as [Hapoel roared past Joventut Badalona 95-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-overpowers-joventut-95-70/) on Wednesday night at Samakov Arena in Bulgaria. It was Itoudis's – and Bingham's – second game and in their first, the team faltered late to lose [last week against ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ulm-rallies-past-hapoel-80-81-on-sarafs-game-winner/). They learned a lesson from that and, with the help of Madar, corrected it.

"I think we were a much better team than the first game we played," Itoudis said in the post-game press conference. "We tried to create problems for ourselves again in the third quarter when we had a negative run. I said to the team at that moment that they need to help me not to use the timeout like we did against Ulm and then I didn't have a timeout in the end in a clutch moment. And then Yam Madar’s steal and three pointer at that moment helped the team get over this negative run. And we went back to us in a smooth way and the game plan was there."

Hapoel led by as many as 20 early in the third quarter before Joventut heated up behind [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) and went on a 0-11 run. That’s when Madar stood tall with a three-pointer and an assist to [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) to kill the Joventut momentum. A minute later, he knocked down 2 free throws, scored a fast-break layup thanks to a Bingham rebound and outlet pass and then stripped [Keye van der Vuurst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/keye-van-der-vuurst/013286/) for a layup and a 69-52 lead. Joventut would never challenge again.

Yam Madar's big third quarter against Joventut

Madar was just one of the players Itoudis praised after the game: "We are happy for AB \[Blakeney\], that the calls were for him. He managed to find his positions and make some shots for himself. Pat is playing very serious. He leads the team. Yam brought a different dimension to the game… Bingham, it looks like he’s been playing with the team a long period. His adjustment has been quick."

Just as quickly as he heaped praise, Itoudis started to get excited about what this team could become.

"We are trying to build on this and see what works good. For us, the biggest enemy is time. We don't have that much time between the games that the results matter to put some new things. We added a lot of things and also players are very concentrated, it’s not easy for them to learn all things…" he noted, though the clear understanding is that when the players all learn the new system – and Motley is back in uniform – Hapoel’s potential is vast.

"We have a hell of a coach," said Beverley after the game. "He's been getting us prepared since he's got here and he’s very detailed, he’s all about the small things, all about the right things. Our biggest thing was to come in and try to rebound, you know, try to win the rebound battle and we did that and that led to early offense."

Indeed, Hapoel outrebounded Joventut 33-30 despite the fact that both of its centers, [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) and Bingham, fouled out in a combined 26 minutes. It was a team effort as all 12 Hapoel players grabbed at least 1 rebound and no one had more than 4.

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Hapoel played most of the game with three-guard lineups and that speed and versatility were too much for Joventut. Blakeney led all scorers with 20 points; Beverley stood tall with 15 points and 6 assists; Madar contributed 9 points, 4 assists and 2 steals and [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) was good for 8 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.

The team’s next two games are against the teams neck and neck with it [in the standings](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/standings/), [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) and [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/). If Hapoel continues to take on more of Itoudis's teachings and gets stronger with Motley back, the rest of Group A had best be prepared.

Game News

The 25-point victory over Joventut shined a light on plenty of positives 

Coach Itoudis has already made an impact at Hapoel

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Joventut Badalona (2024-12-04T17:45:00.000Z)

A great performance in a tough road victory allowed Braian Angola of Turk Telekom Ankara to earn Round 10 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Round 10 MVP: Braian Angola, Turk Telekom Ankara

A great performance in a tough road victory allowed [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/) of [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) to earn Round 10 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Angola stood out in his team's 93-98 road win over 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys. He led Turk Telekom with 24 points on 3-of-4 two-pointers, 3-of-5 three-pointers and 9-of-11 free throws, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, a block and 10 fouls drawn to amass a PIR of 34, the highest in Round 10.

[Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and [Chris Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-johnson/013277/) of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem each had a PIR of 28 in Round 13. Robinson led Cedevita to a 103-96 home win over U-BT Cluj-Napoca with 25 points on 9-of-12 two-pointers, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 5 fouls drawn. Johnson had 15 points on 6-of-8 two-pointers and 3-of-3 free throws, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 fouls drawn in his team's 96-83 road loss against Valencia Basket.

[Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) of Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius and [Johnathan Stove](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-stove/013503/) of Veolia Towers Hamburg, each with a PIR of 27, complete the top individual performances in Round 10.

### Individual highs: Landers Nolley, Aris, 4 steals

[Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) of Turk Telekom led all Round 10 scorers with 26 points. [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem is first overall with 22.3 points per game.

Chris Johnson of Jerusalem pulled down 12 rebounds, more than anyone else in Round 10. [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/) of Umana Reyer Venice is the competition's top rebounder with 10.4 boards per night.

[Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, his teammate [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/), [Martynas Varnas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/lt/eurocup/players/martynas-varnas/005521/) of Lietkabelis and [Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/) of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica each had 6 assists in Round 10. [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) of U-BT Cluj-Napoca leads the league in assists with 6.9 per game.

[Landers Nolley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/landers-nolley/013249/) of Aris Midea Thessaloniki collected 4 steals in Round 10. [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/) is first overall with 2.1 steals per game. Albicy has 193 career steals and needs 21 more to lead the all-time standings.

Four players had 2 blocks in this round: [Artem Pustovyi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/artem-pustovyi/004834/) of Joventut Badalona, [Sergio de Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) of Valencia, [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/) of Veolia Towers Hamburg and [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) of Dreamland Gran Canaria. Kuath is also atop the overall standings with 2.0 per night.

Johnson (15 points, 12 rebounds), Kabengele (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Bahcesehir College Istanbul’s [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) (13 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded a double-double in Round 10.

Congratulations to Matej Karamarko, our eighth winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Matej's team, 'm199', posted a score of 225.75.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 9 winner

Congratulations to Yogev Tebulle, our 10th winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Yogev's team, 'Hapoel j', posted a score of 204.10.

Yogven had the following starting lineup: Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem as team captain, then Umana Reyer Venice duo Tyler Ennis and Mfiondu Kabengele, and Turk Telekom Ankara pair Braian Angola and Anthony Brown. ratiopharm Ulm's Noa Essengue was his sixth man.

His team's head coach was Ulm's Ty Harrelson, while his four bench players were Ulm's Ben Saraf, 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys's Georgios Kalaitzakis, Jerusalem's Gabriel Chachashvili, and Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse's Maxime Courby. 

The prize for finishing first in Round 10 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Yogev!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 1,705.80 points after the first 10 rounds. Trades are now open for Round 11. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 10 winner

For the third time in a row, Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul won its game on the road, and this time it need to give everything it got to hold off Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 88-90.

Besiktas has turned its 'disadvantages into advantages'

For the third time in a row, Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul won a game on the road, and this time it needed to give everything it got to hold off Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 88-90.

Kelan Martin scored 8 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and Dustin Sleva had 9 of his 16 points in the final stanza.

Jonah Mathews and Kyle Allman hit important shots, but none was more important than Derek Needham's triple with 35 seconds left that made it 85-89.

"The win is important for the standings, for team chemistry," Mathews said. "Important for everything."

Coach Dusan Alimpijevic agreed.

"This is an amazing win for us," the Besiktas head coach said. "We have been playing without a '5', and the main thing is we just turn our disadvantages into our advantages."

Due to their lack of size, Besiktas's bigs were stretching the floor more rather than rolling to the basket.

"I think that was a problem for Buducnost to find a solution," added Alimpijevic.

Looking at the box score, with Besiktas outrebounding the hosts 35-33, and 17-9 on the offensive glass, few would think Besiktas had a size disadvantage.

"Big congrats to my players for their desire. Without a '5', 17 offensive rebounds. A big game for them."

Besiktas now hosts the Group A leader and city rival Bahcesehir College Istanbul, then goes on a stretch of three more road games.

Considering how it has fared away from home lately, don't be surprised the team holding a 6-4 record continues its climb up the standings.

The Turkish outfit displayed its road warrior mentality once again

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-12-04T18:00:00.000Z)