At first glance, Group B fixture between Dolomiti Energia Trento and Dreamland Gran Canaria in Round 3 looks like it could be a one-way street, but recent history between two teams tells us otherwise.
Trento looks to repeat history vs. Gran Canaria
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Dolomiti Energia Trento (0-2) and Dreamland Gran Canaria (2-0) come into Round 3 from very different places. Visiting Gran Canaria, the reigning BKT EuroCup champion, is aiming to do something this season that no other team has ever done: win back-to-back titles.
On the other side, Trento has won just five of its last 37 games in the EuroCup dating back to the 2020-21 campaign.
That run of defeats for Trento includes a pair of losses to open this season. Meanwhile, Gran Canaria dominated like no other team in the EuroCup the past two weeks, winning two games by a combined 45 points, including a 111-82 home blowout of ratiopharm Ulm in Round 2. In that game, Gran Canaria scored 62 first-half points while making a remarkable 17 of 18 two-point shots.
So, at first glance, this Group B fixture between Trento and Gran Canaria in Round 3 looks like it could be a one-way street. However, the same game on the same BLM Group Arena court almost one year ago tells us different..
Last season, Trento was winless after five games as first-place Gran Canaria, holding a 4-1 record at the time, came to town. A status of big underdogs entering the game did not stop Trento in generating an upset and pulling out a 75-72 victory.
Trento's most productive player that night was Mattia Udom, with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Fellow big man Andrej Grazulis came off the bench and scored 6 points, Toto Forray had 5, including a key three-point play in the fourth quarter, and Luca Conti scored 5, as well.
Of Gran Canaria returning players, Andrew Albicy stood out that night with 8 assists, while Nico Brussino scored 8. A.J. Slaughter was 1-for-7 from long range in Trento last season and John Shurna 1-for-5.
Can Trento help history repeat itself?
For Trento, limiting those two Gran Canaria stars would again go long ways to being competitive on Wednesday. Also, it will need its key newcomers – sharpshooter Davide Alviti, playmaker Prentiss Hubb and center Paul Biligha – to be on top of their games.
On the other side, Gran Canaria seems to be clicking on all cylinders, especially offensively. Yet, one has to think that last year's outcome will force head coach Jaka Lakovic and his men to approach this clash with a lot of caution.