What statistics can shed light on the eight teams that will take the court for the EuroCup Quarterfinals? Let's see!
Stats review: A telling number for each of the quarterfinalists
Stats
3 Mins read
The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals have arrived with the league’s top-seven teams in regular season point differential advancing to the second of three single-elimination rounds. With only one team technically scoring an upset to set up a rematch with a team it faced in the regular season, a great deal of uncertainty looms. What does the tracking data suggest we should look for from each of the teams still vying for the championship?
Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
4 fouls
Bahcesehir College Istanbul has been one of the most balanced teams in the EuroCup this season, ranking in the top-four in both offensive and defensive efficiency. As good as the team is, one of the qualities that has made Bahcesehir so tough to beat has been the fact that it does not beat itself. Drawing 4 fouls more than it commits, Bahcesehir does not bail out opposing scorers with mistakes and outscores them at the line by 4.5 points per game as a result - and that’s especially notable as it plays at the competition's slowest pace.
52% at the rim in the half-court
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana turned a corner protecting the rim during the second half of the season. After allowing opponents to shoot 65% around the rim against its half-court defense over the first nine games, Cedevita has allowed only 52% to close the year. That has paid big dividends for its overall defense and is something to watch as it takes on the top team from Group A.
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Dreamland Grand Canaria
0.89 points per possession
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has been the best defensive team in the EuroCup on a per-possession basis this season. Doing an excellent job closing out shooters and guarding pick-and-rolls, Jerusalem is especially effective when it not only limits opposing guards on the perimeter but forces mistakes and turns defense into offense.
23.8% of possessions used in the last 4 seconds of the clock
Dreamland Grand Canaria grinded the clock as often as any team in the EuroCup. Not only has it run time off the clock consistently on the offensive end, but it has scored at a solid rate when it has, presenting a challenge for opposing defenses and magnifying the importance of each possession on both ends.
Valencia Basket vs. U-BT Cluj Napoca
39% three-point shooting
Valencia Basket has done several things at a superlative level this season, especially early on as it started the season 11-0. The most sustainable of its many strengths has been its shooting from beyond the arc. Valencia not only leads the EuroCup in three-point percentage, but leads all teams in three-pointers attempted by over 4 per game. Valencia shot 46% over 72 shots from three-point range across its two wins over Cluj on its way to the top of Group B.
58% in one-on-one situations
U-BT Cluj-Napoca has been this season’s most effective one-on-one scoring team. While it does not force the issue, it is adept at exploiting matchups and will have to be effective on the margins to beat a Valencia team that had its number during the regular season.
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Turk Telekom Ankara
1.05 points per possession
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv has been the most efficient offensive team in the EuroCup this season, climbing above Valencia over the second half of the year following the addition of Yam Madar. Finishing at an exceptional rate in transition while scoring midrange jumpers and floaters at an excellent rate in the half-court, Hapoel has been very effective inside the arc.
88 blocks
Turk Telekom Ankara has blocked 30 more shots than any other team this season. Kyle Alexander and Yoan Makoundou give them two of this season’s three most prolific shot blockers on a per-minute basis. They have held teams to a EuroCup-best 57% shooting at the rim overall on the year as their length up front impacts the shots they do not block as well.