The 2023 champs meet a team made to compete against anyone – only one of them will advance to the next round
Title contenders Gran Canaria, Reyer go head to head in eighthfinals clash
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Dreamland Gran Canaria hosts Umana Reyer Venice in the fourth and final single-game eighthfinal matchup on Wednesday, March 5 at 21:00 CET. Reyer overcame a 2-5 start to qualify to the playoffs right at the end of the regular season, while Gran Canaria punched its postseason ticket way in advance, but a couple of late losses prevented the team from getting a bye to the quarterfinals.
Both coaches know each other well and that will have an impact in the series. Reyer boss Neven Spahija coached Jaka Lakovic in the 2001-02 season, when the current Gran Canaria head coach played for Krka Novo Mesto. At age 23 and under Coach Spahija's guidance, Lakovic had a career-defining Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, averaging 20.9 points and 3.8 assists in 14 games. In just his second-ever EuroLeague game, Lakovic led Krka to an 87-98 road win against Real Madrid with 38 points, 7 assists and a PIR of 55.
Gran Canaria has an incredibly experienced roster in the competition. It won the EuroCup title in 2023 and five of its current players are still with the team: Andrew Albicy, John Shurna, Nico Brussino, Jovan Kljajic and Miquel Salvo. Mike Tobey is also a EuroCup champion with Valencia Basket in 2019.
When it comes to Gran Canaria, home-court advantage matters. Gran Canaria is 107-29 (78.7% wins) at home in EuroCup history. It is 6-2 in single-game elimination showdowns in the last three years. Reyer made it to the single-game eighthfinals in 2022 and 2023, losing both games on the road against Boulogne Metropolitans 92 and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, respectively.
Reyer has plenty of reasons to be optimistic, too. Mfiondu Kabengele is the best rebounder in the competition (9.5 RPG) and has impressed everyone with his all-around skills, averaging 15.9 points on 42.1% three-pointers, 1.1 steals and a PIR of 23.5. Reyer has had a lot of injuries this season, particularly in its backcourt. Tyler Ennis (13.4 PPG, 4.6 APG) and Xavier Munford (5.0 PPG) have combined for 19 missed games but are now healthy and ready to help their team. On the other hand, Gran Canaria is missing playmaker Carlos Alocen, who is out with a severe knee injury.
Amazingly, Alocen was one of 10 players averaging over 5.0 points per game, all led by Caleb Homesley (12.4 PPG). Coach Lakovic has plenty of clutch options if the game goes down to the wire, with Homesley and Joe Thomasson (7.2 PPG) opening the floor from downtown, but counting on experienced shooters like Brussino (8.8 PPG) and Shurna (7.9 PPG).
Stats are as balanced as they can be, with both teams shooting the ball with similar percentages (Gran Canaria 56.4% 2FG, 33.3% 3FG, 79.2 FT%; Reyer 54.6% 2FG, 33.1% 3FG, 76.8% FT). Reyer scores (82.2 PPG) and rebounds (37.2 RPG) a bit more than its opponent (79.3 PPG, 35.7 RPG).
There is a difference in the game pace, however. Reyer takes 38.4 two-pointers per game (5th overall) and Gran Canaria ranks 17th at 35.3 attempts per night. Gran Canaria attempts more three-point shots (26.3) than Reyer (22.8). On the other hand, Reyer goes a lot to the foul line (22.8 free throws per game) and Gran Canaria is last in the standings (16.6).
Reyer beat Gran Canaria twice in the 2021-22 season, in which is both teams' only previous matchups. None of that will matter on Thursday, as only the winner will advance to the next round!