Arteaga may be a EuroCup newcomer, but he has faced Tomic countless times over the last decade in the Spanish League and will be well prepared for their showdown in the paint. The Andorra center has averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13 games as a part-time starter this season and a strong game from him on the paint, at either end, could provide a big boost for the hosts.

Major matchup: Arteaga, Andorra vs. Tomic, Joventut

MoraBanc Andorra v Joventut Badalona (2022-03-09T19:00:00.000Z)

The matchup on the wings between Gran Canaria and Frutti Extra Bursaspor’s respective leading scorers, Dylan Ennis and Derek Needham, should be exciting.

Major matchup: Ennis, Gran Canaria vs. Needham, Bursaspor

Ennis has averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals as an all-around standout for Gran Canaria. He also has some insights into Turkish basketball since his brother, Tyler, has played for three different Turkish clubs in recent years. Ennis drew a season-high 8 fouls and shot 7 for 8 from the foul line en route to 15 points when these teams last met. His physical playing style and aggressive defense will be important against Needham.

The Bursaspor playmaker has taken on an even bigger role in recent weeks, though he now shares point guard duties with Andrew Andrews and thus serves as a go-to scorer and a creator at the same time. Needham recorded 8 rebounds and 5 assists when he faced Gran Canaria in Round 5, but only scored 6 points and committed 3 turnovers in a loss at home. Needham knows he must be at his best to win this game at Gran Canaria. 

Gran Canaria v Frutti Extra Bursaspor (2022-03-09T20:00:00.000Z)

Derek Needham - Frutti Extra Bursaspor (photo Bursaspor) - EC21-RS13

The Italian League derby in Round 14 brings several stellar matchups. One of them features Stefano Tonut of Umana Reyer Venice and Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

Major matchup: Tonut, Reyer vs. Cordinier, Virtus

Tonut always makes sure he does a little bit of everything to help Reyer as much as possible. It is shown in his stats as he averages 10.7 points with 84.2% free throw shooting, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a PIR of 17. Tonut, however, did not have a great night against Virtus in Round 5, finishing the game scoreless and getting a PIR of -1 in a 90-84 losing effort. Tonut is a smart player who finds advantages in one-on-one opportunities, either attacking the rim or finding the open teammate for an easier shot.

In that sense, Cordinier is a similar player, more explosive and physical but less experienced than Tonut. He had a stellar performance against Reyer in Round 5 with 13 points on perfect shooting, 3 rebounds and 4 fouls drawn for a PIR of 15. He is averaging 9.7 points on good shooting numbers (69.4% 2FG, 41.7% 3FG, 81.0% FT), 3.1 rebounds and a PIR of 10.8. Cordinier was named to the 2020-21 All-EuroCup First Team and can change any game with his outstanding dunks and all-around energetic contribution.

Umana Reyer Venice v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022-03-09T19:00:00.000Z)

Versatile swingmen Jakub Karolak of Slask Wroclaw and Diego Flaccadori of Dolomiti Energia Trento will face each other in Round 14.

Major matchup: Karolak, Slask vs. Flaccadori, Trento

Karolak returned to the EuroCup for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign this season and is playing an important role for Slask, averaging 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and a PIR of 6.3. He has a key defensive role in the team and opens the floor with his shots from beyond the arc (39.3% 3FG, taking 5.0 attempts per night). Karolak, however, has not been that effective inside the arc (25.0% 2FG). He played well against Trento in Round 5, finishing that game with 15 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting and a PIR of 11.

Flaccadori is in his second stint with Trento, playing a key role as one of the most experienced players on the team. At age 25, Flaccadori is in his fourth EuroCup season and also played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with FC Bayern Munich. He is averaging 10.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 12 games and had a career-high 22 points in Trento's 81-77 home victory against Slask in Round 5. He added 6 rebounds and 4 assists for a PIR of 18. Flaccadori hopes to have another monster game in Round 14.

Slask Wroclaw v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2022-03-09T17:45:00.000Z)

Jakub Karolak - Slask Wroclaw (photo Karolio Kavolelio - Lietkabelis) EC21

Two very different players are ready to battle against each round in Round 14 when Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana's Jacob Pullen and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica's Petar Popovic meet. 

Major matchup: Pullen, Olimpija vs. Popovic, Buducnost 

Pullen is his sixth EuroCup season and has filled the baskets for every club he has played for. He is averaging 13.4 points and 3.7 assists in 12 EuroCup this season, mostly off the bench. In fact, his only start of the season was against Buducnost in Round 5 and he finished that game with 7 points and 9 assists - matching his career-high. Pullen is an outstanding one-on-one player with a great set of skills, highlighted by a deadly step-back jumper. If he finds his rhythm, Pullen can make the difference in any game.

Popovic will try to make sure that scenario does not take place. A great on-the-ball defender, Popovic plays with high intensity at both ends and uses his instinct and determination to make the right move. He is averaging 9.1 points on great shooting percentages (61.5% 2FG, 47.4% 3FG, 100% FT) and 1.9 assists in 10 games thus far. He is the third-best per-minute scorer in the team (20.7 per 40 minutes), only trailing team stars Justin Cobbs and Willie Reed. His contributions at both ends make Popovic an essential player.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2022-03-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Two great scorers are going to test their shooting skills against each other in Round 14: Axel Julien of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Klemen Prepelic of Valencia Basket. 

Major matchup: Julien, Bourg vs. Prepelic, Valencia 

At age 29, Julien is making his EuroCup debut this season, confirming all the good expectations about him. He is averaging 8.8 points on 47.3% three-point shooting and 90.0% on free throws plus 5.2 assists for a PIR average of 11.5. He played well against Valencia in Round 5 at La Fonteta, finishing the game with 14 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting, 3 assists and a PIR of 14. He will try to use his high basketball IQ, quickness and unlimited shooting range against one of the best scorers in the competition.

Prepelic is already a EuroCup veteran; Valencia is his sixth team in the competition. He is averaging 13.5 points and 2.6 assists in 11 games this season, but not shooting the ball well (41.3% 2FG, 31.6% 3FG). Prepelic remains deadly in crunch time and with Sam Van Rossom injured, he should help at both guard spots. He had 15 points, 5 assists, 5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 17 off the bench against Bourg in Round 5. Valencia needs his shooting skills to balance its offense and allow Bojan Dubljevic and Jasiel Rivero to get more space down low. 

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Valencia Basket (2022-03-08T19:00:00.000Z)

Axel Julien - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (photo Jacques Cormareche - Bourg) - EC21

Rogkavopoulos is also able to do a lot of things on the floor, which makes this matchup interesting. He is averaging 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 12 games for a PIR average of 11.2. Rogkavopoulos is a mobile forward who can take three-point shots in transition with a quick release. He also helps a lot on the defensive boards, ranking 12th overall with 4.5 per night. At age 20, Rogkavopoulos is one of the best prospects in the EuroCup this season. 

Thornwell arrived midway through the season and did not play against Promitheas the last time. He has given Ulm a boost since his arrival, averaging 12.3 points on 44.1% three-point shooting and 90.6% free throws. Thornwell also posts 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 rebounds and a PIR of 12.9. After four years between the NBA and the G League, Thornwell is showcasing his all-around skills, energy and know-how in the EuroCup, opening the floor with his three-point shots and also attacking the rim with great effectiveness.

Two of the most physical forwards in the competition face each other in Round 14. Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos of Promitheas Patras and Sindarius Thornwell of ratiopharm Ulm should be ready for a big matchup.

Major matchup: Rokgavopoulos, Promitheas vs. Thornwell, Ulm 

Promitheas Patras v ratiopharm Ulm (2022-03-08T17:30:00.000Z)

Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos - Promitheas Patras - EC21

An interesting battle in the paint will take place at Cido Arena in Round 14 when Djordje Gagic of Lietkabelis Panevezys goes against Balsa Koprivica of Partizan NIS Belgrade. 

Major matchups: Gagic, Lietkabelis vs. Koprivica, Partizan 

Gagic is a former Partizan player; he played for his Round 14 opponent from December 2017 until the end of the 2018-19 campaign. He is averaging 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 11 games this season. Gagic knows how to use his size in the low post, has plenty of experience and, of course, the extra motivation to play against one of his former teams. Gagic looks to bounce back, too, as he had 2 points, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls and a career-low PIR of -9 against Partizan in an 84-77 defeat in Round 5 in the Serbian capital. 

Koprivica had a strong performance in that game, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-6 two-point shooting, 4 rebounds and 1 block for a PIR of 12. It was just his fifth game in the competition and the first time that Koprivica scored in double digits. He has mainly come off the bench so far this season, averaging 5.8 points on 68.2% two-point shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. On a per-40 minutes basis, Koprivica leads the EuroCup in blocked shots (3.6) and ranks fifth in offensive rebounds (5.1), which says plenty about his potential. 

Major matchup: Gagic, Lietkabelis vs. Koprivica, Partizan 

Lietkabelis Panevezys v Partizan NIS Belgrade (2022-03-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Djordje Gagic - Lietkabelis Panevezys (photo Karolio Kavolelio - Lietkabelis) EC21

In a season of great interest, with Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Partizan NIS Belgrade getting the spotlight by default, a team that is synonymous with the 7DAYS EuroCup success was kind of overlooked. That's not the case anymore, though. Entering Round 14 of the regular season, Valencia Basket sits second behind fellow Spanish club Gran Canaria in the Group B standings, both with 9-4 records.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1317275/the-valencia-empire-strikes-back/)

Valencia really knows how to win the 7DAYS EuroCup, and once more the Spanish club is a solid – albeit overlooked – contender.

Trademarks by Eurohoops: The Valencia empire strikes back!

Valencia Basket celebrates (photo Miguel Angel Polo - Valencia) - EC21