The Top 16 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague starts on Wednesday with Montepaschi playing host to Gescrap BB in Group F.
A first-ever showdown opens the Top 16 for two great teams in Group F, as Montepaschi hosts Gescrap BB in Siena, Italy on Wednesday.
Montepaschi made it to the Top 16 in each of the last four seasons, advancing to the Final Four in 2008 and 2011. Gescrap is a Euroleague newcomer but is more than ready to take on the challenge.
Gescrap has only played once in Italy, beating Benetton 69-76 in the 2009-10 Eurocup Last 16. Montepaschi has a 12-6 record against Spanish teams in Siena, losing to Barcelona, Madrid, Unicaja and Leon. Expect action, drama and a very ambitious Gescrap trying to steal a home win from a team that knows all about surviving the Top 16.
Montepaschi is without Rimantas Kaukenas and Ksistof Lavrinovic, who are sidelined long-term. Bo McCalebb had to leave an Italian League game due to a foot problem but returned to action right away. Gescrap has its full roster available for its first-ever Top 16 game.
Gescrap's number one priority will be slowing Bo McCalebb, whose unique combination of quickness, ball handling talent and driving skills make him a natural-born mismatch. Gescrap has the answer in Aaron Jackson, whose fighting spirit and speed make him the perfect fit for the critical match-up against McCalebb.
Nikos Zisis must use his experience and deep range against pass-first playmaker Raul Lopez. Montepaschi needs good defence early in the game against Gescrap's streak shooters Janis Blums and Kostas Vasileadis.
Igor Rakocevic and Marco Carrareto will have to step up. Rakocevic, a three-time Alphonso Ford Scoring trophy winner, must provide fireworks of his own from deep range, too. Alex Mumbru will try to make the difference for Bilbao at small forward due to his size, mobility and ball handling. He will face two physical players in David Moss and Bootsy Thornton, whose experience and team-oriented game will be very valuable from now on.
As for the battle in the paint, Gescrap runs its offence through D'or Fischer and especially Marko Banic, a great pick-and-roll player who reads the game like few players his size. Banic will not have it easy against Shaun Stonerook, a smart defender who always puts the team first. Fischer must use his timing and power against three-time Euroleague champion David Andersen, in very good form recently.
Gescrap has a deeper frontline, as Dimitris Mavroedis and Axel Hervelle offer size and rebounding power off the bench. Controlling the boards and stopping Montepaschi's extra pass offence will be the biggest keys for Gescrap.
Montepaschi needs to get its offence going through McCalebb and Andersen.
