A second-season survivor takes on a storied club making its EuroCup return this season in this eighthfinals matchup of opposites.
Eighthfinals predictions: Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki
It's do-or-die time under the new format in the BKT EuroCup. The postseason's first round, the eighthfinals, is a win-or-go-home affair, carrying all the drama and pressure that suggests. With that in mind, the EuroCupbasketball.com editors who have been following the regular season round-by-round until now are ready to put their expertise on the line now by weighing in on which team they believe will win each elimination game. Check out their choices for Wednesday's eighthfinal matchup, Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki.
Prometey offense will march on
by Igor Petrinovic
It's a collision of styles, run-and-gun Prometey and slow-tempo Aris. The Greek side averaged the EuroCup's lowest amount of points this season, 74.6 per game, but it also has the best scoring defense, allowing opponents just 75.1 points. During that regular season, however, Aris did not face an offense of Prometey's profile. Over the last nine rounds, only two teams have averaged more than Prometey's 93.4 points. The team has gotten healthier of late, and started to emit vibes reminiscent of their semifinal run of last season with the returns of Gian Clavell and D.J. Kennedy. Clavell has averaged 19.0 points over the last three games as one of five Prometey scorers averaging double digits. Aris has little offensive consistency beyond the fantastic Vassilis Toliopoulos (14.4 ppg.), and I don't see Aris's defense holding the fort away from home. My pick: Prometey.
Prometey all the way
by Frankie Sachs
Aris has improved all season long and comes into the EuroCup Eighthfinals playing some of its best basketball. Unfortunately for the sleeping giant – and three-time continental trophy winner – Prometey is also peaking at the right time. After a historic EuroCup debut last season, Prometey has all its ducks in a row to make another deep run in 2024. The Ukrainian club has the spirit of its homeland behind it even while hosting its games in Latvia. Head coach Ronen Ginzburg has the benefit of nine players back from last season's squad, which reached the semifinals. He has a newcomer who is shining now after a slow start in Ronald March. There is size, speed, shooting ability and chemistry. But most importantly, confidence and experience. It's just too much for this young Aris team to overcome. My pick: Prometey.
Prometey's scorers will overwhelm Aris
by Geoff Gillingham
Both Prometey and Aris come into their eighthfinals matchup in pretty good form, having ended the regular season in far better shape than earlier in the campaign, but I think there's only one team to put your money on here: the Latvia-based Ukrainians. Head coach Ronen Ginzburg is able to call upon a number of scoring threats, such as Ronald March (13.3 ppg.), Gian Clavell (11.1) and Caleb Agada (10.9), and then there's the enigma that is Issuf Sanon (8.8). Ondrej Balvin is almost a walking double-double, too, having posted averages of 10.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in the regular season. Aris, meanwhile, can lean on the outstanding play of Vassilis Toliopoulos (14.4 ppg.), but he and Roberto Gallinat (12.7) are the team's only double-digit scorers. Aris's top-ranked defense is a reason behind that, but I think that Prometey's sixth-ranked offense will come out on top here. My pick: Prometey.
Count one for the "home" team
by Frank Lawlor
It's an offensive-minded home team in Prometey against the EuroCup's best points-against defense of Aris. Basketball insiders have always said that defense wins in the playoffs, but I don't buy that completely. Toughness wins, yes, but there's such a thing as toughness on offense, too, and if you don't make big shots in an elimination game, well, good luck. The Ukrainian hosts have been stellar in their home away from home, Arena Riga, for two seasons now, going 17-4 there overall, including wins in two do-or-die games in the 2022-23 postseason and a lead into the final minute of the semifinal game they lost. Going into Wednesday, Prometey is on a six-game home winning streak. I expect Prometey's shot-makers to save the day. My pick: Prometey.