EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast co-host Frankie Sachs steps in for Javier Gancedo this week to offer some tips for your fantasy teams
Fantasy tips, Round 20: Time to gamble?
Fantasy Challenge
4 Mins read
EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge have to re-evaluate their lineups every week based on who’s hot, who’s not and who won’t be there. It can be a gamble, however. Team dynamics change, the player expected to fill in for an injured teammate could change rotations. Of course, foul trouble can wreak havoc. For the five recommendations I am offering here, each has significant upside, but there is always some risk. At least three of them play on Turn 1, which minimizes that risk. For the record, two of them are on my team.
Sylvain Francisco, Zalgiris Kaunas (12.5 credits)
Both of Francisco’s top two scoring games have come in the last three rounds – and in the other he dished a career-high 9 assists to go with 15 points. Now a regular in the Zalgiris Kaunas starting lineup, Franscisco has benefitted from the backcourt partnership with Lonnie Walker and taken advantage to post big numbers. He came up big (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) earlier this season against Real Madrid, the team Zalgiris will host this week.
Omer Yurtseven, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (10.3 credits)
There was always going to be a question about who will benefit the most – fantasy-wise – from the injury to Mathias Lessort. Wenyen Gabriel was a main candidate after he came from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, but last week Yurtseven staked his claim as the MVP of the Round in a rout of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. The Turkish center played nearly 28 minutes, made 13 of 16 shots and posted a PIR of 34. To put that in perspective, his PIR in the previous six games combined was exactly half of that. If you believe in Yurtseven, buy him now. His price already rose 1.1 credits from his Round 19 outburst. And if you are a sceptic, at least he plays in Turn 1.
Mouhamet Diouf, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (7.3 credits)
With the announcement that Ante Zizic will miss time with an elbow injury, the door is wide open for Mouhamet Diouf, who has posted three consecutive games with double-digit PIRs. Diouf is the only other natural center on the Virtus roster and the 23-year-old has made 66.7% of his shots and 72.9% of his free throws. The only downside is that he plays on Turn 2, so if Diouf doesn’t produce, there is no swapping him out. But he could be a very valuable fantasy asset.
Tarik Biberovic, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (6.0 credits)
Coming off a career-best 5 three-pointers made in the derby, Biberovic has his confidence back. And that is all you need for a shooter who has played more than 20 minutes in seven of his last eight games. In what promises to be a fast-paced high-scoring game against ALBA Berlin, the gamble on Biberovic in Turn 1 is one that could pay off nicely.
Elias Rapieque, ALBA Berlin (4.5 credits)
Those who listen to the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast know that I am a big believer in finding guys for the end of the bench with upside, even if it’s just getting a few extra credits. Rapieque fits that bill after posting a PIR of 16 in 21 minutes last week against AS Monaco. What I liked most about his line is the 7 rebounds and 4 fouls drawn. If Louis Olinde remains sidelined this week, the opportunity is there for Rapieque to contribute a nice line in Turn 1 against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul for just 4.5 credits.