Buducnost VOLI Podgorica will try to put a halt to a two-game losing streak when it hosts Promitheas Patras on Wednesday.

Keys to victory: Buducnost vs Promitheas

### Buducnost looks for defensive restart 

Buducnost has allowed 78.4 points this season, but that number rose to 87.0 in its recent losses against Umana Reyer Venice and Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Reyer and Cedevita combined to make 46 of 65 two-point shots (70.8%). Protecting the paint is mandatory against a team with strong centers such as Jerai Grant and Dario Hunt, so the entire Buducnost frontcourt, led by Willie Reed, Marko Jagodic-Kuridza, Zoran Nikolic and a recovered Danilo Nikolic, should collapse the paint to avoid easy baskets. 

Keys to victory: Hamburg vs Slask

### Hamburg: more rhythm, more wins 

Hamburg has averaged 83.9 points in the EuroCup this season and has done even better when playing at home. Coach Pedro Calles's team averages 90.2 points at home, where it takes 30.8 three-point shots on average. On the other hand, Slask takes 24.2 three-pointers per night, so Hamburg must impose its rhythm and get its best scorers, Jaylon Brown and Caleb Homesley, in good positions to pull the trigger from downtown. Homesley leads the EuroCup in three-point attempts (9.0) and Brown is fourth (7.5). Stopping Aleksander Dziewa down low could also be a key for the hosts.

### Slask keeps improving on defense 

Slask won its last two home games, allowing 67 points against Turk Telekom Ankara and 68 against Dolomiti Energia Trento. It is a much-needed improvement to be more competitive – Slask has allows 81.0 points so far this season. Kerem Kanter and Aleksander Dziewa combined for 35 points and 17 rebounds against Trento in Round 14, so Slask should keep getting its big men involved against a team that heavily relies on its backcourt. Slask may have a better chance to win if it stops Hamburg from running the floor and finding three-point shots in transition.

Justus Hollatz - Hamburg Towers (photo Dawid Podsiadlo - Slask) - EC21

Hamburg Towers v Slask Wroclaw (2022-03-16T18:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket will look to wins its fourth home game in a row when it takes on Umana Reyer Venice on Wednesday. 

Keys to victory: Valencia vs. Reyer

### 80 points could be Valencia’s number 

Before losing to Virtus Segafredo Bologna last week, Reyer had won three in a row with its defensive numbers improving from game to game. Virtus scored 83 points to beat Reyer; it was the fifth time Reyer had allowed at least 80 points this season and it has lost all of them, including a 67-81 decision against Valencia in early December. Valencia has reached 80 points in all but three games this season and is 8-3 in those. Another 80-point showing could be a winner.

### Rebounding will be critical for Reyer

Reyer faces the top rebounding team in the competition. Valencia has averaged 39.8 rebounds per game and has outrebounded opponents by 8.9 per game. Valencia also tops the charts with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game. Reyer, in contrast, is near the bottom with 9.3 offensive rebounds and 33.2 total rebounds. It has been outrebounded by 3.2 per game. Reyer will need Mitchell Watt, Martynas Echodas and co. to have a greater impact on the glass to give the team a good chance at winning on the road.

Michael Bramos - Umana Reyer Venice - EC21

Valencia Basket v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-03-16T19:30:00.000Z)

Two teams with winning streaks will square off on Wednesday when Virtus Segafredo Bologna faces Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

Keys to victory: Virtus vs. Cedevita

### Three-point defense is key for Virtus

Virtus has allowed opponents to make 37.1% of their three-pointers this season, which is among the highest in the EuroCup. Cedevita has thrived from deep, shooting 38.6% on threes, which is third-best in the competition. That number sits at 45.0% in Cedevita’s seven wins. The recent addition of Daniel Hackett could add some needed defensive intensity on the perimeter for Virtus. 

### Cedevita must keep the turnovers low

This game pits two of the best offenses in the EuroCup against one another. Cedevita is third in the competition with 86.0 points per game and Virtus is fourth with 85.9. One of the Slovenian champs’ biggest troubles this season has been turnovers; the team is third in the EuroCup with 15.2 per game. However, it has limited that number to a total of 33 in its last three wins. If it can do the same against Virtus and capitalize on those extra possessions, Cedevita’s chances rise.

Edu Muric - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - EC21

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2022-03-16T19:30:00.000Z)

### Points in the paint could lift Partizan

Metropolitans have a strong frontline, But Partizan has been dominant inside. Coach Obradovic’s men lead the EuroCup in blocks (3.4 bpg.) and are second in two-point shooting (57.7%). Metropolitans have been vulnerable inside, allowing opponents to make 56.7% of their twos. It is a weakness that the hosts would be wise to exploit and if Partizan scores with ease in the paint, it becomes the clear favorite.

### Metropolitans’ guards have a key role

Metropolitans are among the best teams in the competition at creating assists (fourth, 19.6 apg.), limiting turnovers (fifth, 12.2 per game) and naturally, assist-to-turnover ratio (third, 1.60). However, Partizan has taken the fourth-most steals (8.0 spg.) and forced the fourth-most turnovers (14.4 per game). Will Cummings and David Michineau will need to withstand the Partizan guards’ pressure and if they can conduct the offense as usual, Metropolitans will have a better chance to continue its winning stream with a key road win.

Second place in Group A will be on the line when Partizan NIS Belgrade hosts Boulogne Metropolitans 92 on Wednesday in the Serbian capital.

Keys to victory: Partizan vs. Metropolitans

Aleksa Avramovic - Partizan NIS Belgrade (photo Olivier d'Almeida - Metropolitans) - EC21

Partizan NIS Belgrade v Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (2022-03-16T19:30:00.000Z)

In his first blog entry, Martin Hermannsson of Valencia Basket discusses his experiences with the club he always wanted to play for. 

Martin Hermannsson, Valencia: ‘Playing for Valencia is a dream-come-true’

First of all, it is literally a dream come true playing for Valencia Basket. I always had a feeling I would play here at some point. When you have this kind of feeling that something is going to happen, you try to work as much as you can to make it happen and it did. I think all my expectations are fulfilled. Of course, I would have liked to stay another year in the EuroLeague, like every player - you want to play as much as possible and do as much as possible, but I think the biggest step for me coming here was playing with 12-14 amazing players, amazing talents and being on a team where you have to fight for every second on the court.

"I want to show that I'm capable of either scoring or controlling the team or passing or making a play or whatever... Hopefully, I can continue to grow and do whatever it takes to help the team win. It's my motto now."

Last year for me was an adjustment, learning the Spanish League as well. The Spanish League is a different animal, with all respect to the German and the French Leagues. The Spanish League is, for sure, the toughest domestic competition in the world, and you have to work for every win. I think that was a big adjustment for me, but I have shown, since I have been here, what I can do and hopefully, we will start winning some hardware, some titles, and that will make it perfect.

We come off a road win against Bourg in which Jaime Pradilla played great down the stretch. He is a great kid, a hard worker with both feet on the ground. He's the kind of player who works for the whole team and a fun guy to be around even though he doesn't speak a word of English, but I'm trying to teach him! He learned in school, so I don't know if he's too shy or something, but he doesn't. But most of the Spanish guys I know don't speak English, you know, and I am a little bit worried about the youth in Spain not speaking English in 2022. We have to work on that!

Martin Hermannsson Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

Martin Hermannsson Valencia Basket 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup highlights

I have been playing more at the point guard spot lately, as Sam Van Rossom is injured. As you probably know, Sam has been the main point guard of Valencia for the last 50 years, so somebody had to step up. But I know that I'm capable of doing this. I have had games like this in the EuroLeague where I had more than 10 assists. In the past, it was more fun to score, but now, somehow, I think I'm getting more mature. I'm playing with so many guys that could put the ball in the basket, so I think at this point, what Valencia expects from me is more controlling the team and trying to get everybody on the same page - and I like it. Of course, it's an adjustment for me, but at the same time, I want to show that I'm capable of doing this also, to show that I'm capable of either scoring or controlling the team or passing or making a play or whatever. I think I did a pretty good job in the last game, but there is always a new game coming up. Hopefully, I can continue to grow and do whatever it takes to help the team win. It's my motto now. 

My uncle Jon Stefansson played for Valencia when I was a kid. I came to see him back them and finally, he is returning the favor. He is actually coming, I think, at the end of this month or the beginning of next month. He has been talking about it for almost a year and a half now, but with COVID and him having three kids now at home, it was a little bit difficult. But he's actually told me he booked his tickets for the end of this month, so the time has come.

"Everybody who has played in Valencia or against Valencia knows how amazing La Fonteta can be and how incredible the fans can be."

We have four games left, at home against Reyer, on the road against Bursaspor and Cedevita, and again at La Fonteta against Ulm. The home-court advantage in the knock-out round changes everything. Of course, anybody who plays basketball or sports in general knows how big of an advantage it is to have the home court and to play in front of your fans and feed off the energy from the fans. So we are going to do everything in our power to hopefully win all of those games that are left and be first. But at the same time, if we end up second, it is not the end of the world. But we are going to try everything we can to be first, that's for sure. And everybody who has played in Valencia or against Valencia knows how amazing La Fonteta can be and how incredible the fans can be. You know, I have been on both sides, having them on my side and against me, and it's much better to have them with you. 

I was with ALBA Berlin when Valencia won the EuroCup title in 2019, so I know what I am talking about when it comes to fan support at La Fonteta in big games. It is extra motivation for me, of course. That hurt a lot that year, but I think nobody expected us to be in the finals. I still believe, and I tell the guys on the team, if we would have had the home-court advantage, we would have won. Of course, every player wants to win the EuroLeague or the EuroCup, so that's definitely my goal this year and the team's goal. I think this is the best place to do it. They have won it the most and know how to do it. I'm just trying to help as much as I can and, hopefully, we will come on top at the end of the competition this year. It's really tough. You know, the EuroCup this year is really, really tough. There are four or five teams that are all capable of doing it. We just need to be really focused and try to finish the season strong.

Experience always helps. When I was in ALBA in 2019, it was the first time that most of us played in the EuroCup Finals. Maybe Luke \[Sikma\] had some experience playing the finals, but it was pretty much new for all of us at this stage. But at the same time, Valencia had guys that had won once or twice and, especially in Game 3, when everything was on the line, I think they just kind of crushed us. I would definitely want to be in the Valencia team with the game on the line with guys like Dubljevic, Claver, Prepelic or Van Rossom. Those guys know how to win games and they know how to win titles. Hopefully, that will give us some advantage but, in the end, to win a basketball game, a lot has to click. Of course, experience helps for sure.

Martin Hermannsson dreamed of playing for Valencia Basket when he was a kid. His uncle, Jon Stefansson, was the first Icelandic player to wear the orange team's jersey. Hermannsson visited him when he was a kid and always had a feeling he would end up playing for Valencia. Before that, however, Hermannsson played - and lost – against Valencia in the 2019 EuroCup Finals. Almost three years after those finals, Hermannsson is fighting to make history with Valencia, the winningest team in competition history, looking for its fifth EuroCup crown. Follow Hermannsson's blog because it promises to be fun!

Martin Hermannsson - Valencia Basket (photo Larry Langer - Ulm) - EC21

Joventut Badalona will look to get back on track after last week’s loss when it hosts Lietkabelis Panevezys on Tuesday in Group A.

Keys to victory: Joventut vs Lietkabelis

### Joventut: stopping Gagic is critical 

Joventut leads the 2021-22 EuroCup in two-point shooting percentage at 57.9%. It has a size advantage in the paint with Ante Tomic, Simon Birgander and a recovered Vladimir Brodziansky, so Coach Carles Duran has plenty of options to use against Djordje Gagic, who comes off a huge game (21 points, 25 PIR) against Partizan NIS Belgrade. Joventut ranks second in assists at 21.4 per game and will try to continue moving the ball. In that sense, Pau Ribas, Guillem Vives and Andres Feliz should be ready to read the game and find the best options on offense.

### Lietkabelis should keep pulling the trigger

Lietkabelis has won four of its last five games and three-point shooting has had to do a lot with it. In those four wins, all of them at Cido Arena, Lietkabelis buried 54 of 116 three-pointers (46.6% 3FG). It now needs to pull the trigger on the road with similar effectiveness; Lietkabelis has made 41.1% of its three-pointers at home and 31.3% of the road. It needs another big game from Gediminas Orelik and Vytenis Lipkevicius, who give Coach Nenad Canak a lot of versatility with their experience and outside shooting. Stopping Tomic down low should be critical, too.

Guillem Vives - Joventut Badalona (photo Karolio Kavolelio - Lietkabelis) EC21

Joventut Badalona v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-03-15T20:00:00.000Z)

It will be a game with major playoff implications when Frutti Extra Bursaspor hosts Mindicelice JL Bourg en Bresse on Tuesday.

Keys to victory: Bursaspor vs. Bourg

### Bursaspor looks for defensive improvement 

Bursaspor must try to improve its defense to be more competitive in the most decisive games of the season. It has allowed 85.3 points per night and that number has risen to 91.0 in the last three games. Defense should come first for Bursaspor, which has allowed just 72.0 points in wins and 91.2 in losses. John Holland made his Bursaspor debut and should be ready to give his new team deep shooting range and much-needed experience. Derek Needham should make the most out of his experience in his matchup against Axel Julien and Hugo Benitez. If Bursaspor gets Kevarrius Hayes involved down low, it should have a better chance to win.

### Bourg relies on its shooters

Bourg leads the 2021-22 EuroCup in three-point shooting at 42.1% and should keep making the most out of it, finding open looks for its best shooters - Julien, Maxime Courby and Calvin Harris. Stopping Andrew Andrews should be important, as Bursaspor has been running its offense through him lately, averaging 25.7 points and a PIR of 27.0 in the last three games. Bourg dishes 1.7 assists per turnover, which is fourth overall. Benitez ranks second in the competition with 4.5 assists per turnover. If Bourg can control the game tempo and Rasheed Sulaimon finds good one-on-one opportunities, Bourg should have a good opportunity.

Pierre Pelos - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse - EC21

Frutti Extra Bursaspor v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2022-03-15T17:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm will try to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts Gran Canaria in a Tuesday fixture in Group B.

Keys to victory: Ulm vs Granca

### Ulm relies on its backcourt 

Ulm may try to speed up the game tempo to end its slump. Ulm is 0-6 when scoring less than 84 points, and 6-1 when it reaches that mark. Running its offense through its guards, Semaj Christon and Fedor Zugic, should be really important for Coach Jaka Lakovic's team. Christon is an outstanding one-on-one player and Zugic, 18, scored a career-high 14 points against Promitheas Patras in Round 14. If Cristiano Felicio remains sidelined, Philipp Henkerhoff should see extended playing time at the '5' position.

### Frontcourt might be key for Gran Canaria 

Gran Canaria should make the most of its size advantage in the paint, especially if Felicio is still out. Artem Pustovyi and Aleksander Balcerowski give Coach Porfirio Fisac a big, old-school center on the court at all times, generating space for stretch power forwards John Shurna and Miquel Salvo to get better shots. Gran Canaria ranks second in three-point shooting (39.1%) and relies on its star guards Dylan Ennis and A.J. Slaughter to control the game tempo against Christon and Zugic, in what should be one of the biggest keys to this game.

Keys to victory: Ulm vs. Gran Canaria

Thomas Klepeisz - ratiopharm Ulm (photo Gran Canaria) - EC21

ratiopharm Ulm v Gran Canaria (2022-03-15T18:30:00.000Z)