Get ready for a big battle at the top of Group A, with unbeaten Paris (7-0) facing a challenge from second-placed Besiktas (5-2).

Game preview: Paris Basketball vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/74/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-prs-bes) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-prs-bes/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Turkish team, which wants a fast response to last week's home loss against London, will have to find a way of slowing down a Paris offense that leads the league in scoring (101.1 ppg.) and PIR (120.7). TJ Shorts (7.9 apg.) and Nadir Hifi (17.4 ppg.) are the leaders for the French team, but it won't be easy for them to excel against a Besiktas team with the third-best defense in the competition, 73.9 points per game allowed. The physicality of Angel Delgado, who has two double-doubles in a row, will be vital for Besiktas's chances of victory.

[Paris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/statistics/prs/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

TJ Shorts vs. Johan Matthews: Expect fireworks in Paris when these two guards face up on Tuesday.

Get ready for a big battle at the top of Group A, with unbeaten Paris Basketball (7-0) facing a challenge from second-placed Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (5-2).

Besiktas visits Paris to challenge Group A leader

Paris Basketball v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2023-11-21T20:00:00.000Z)

After scoring 93 and 95 points to gain consecutive victories, Reyer (3-4) will look to make it three in a row with a trip to Prometey (3-4) for a game which will break the tie between the teams just outside the playoff places.

Game preview: Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Umana Reyer Venice

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/71/) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-prm-vnc) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-pmt-vnc/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The home team, which could give a debut to exciting new signing Rob Gray, the 2021 EuroCup Finals MVP, also boosted its confidence last week, riding 19 points from Tai Odiase to grab an impressive victory over Hapoel. Reyer's on-form man is Barry Brown, who scored 21 and 24 points in his team's last two victories over Cedevita and Wolves, netting 3 triples on both occasions.

[Prometey Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/prometey-slobozhanske/statistics/pmt/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Reyer Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/statistics/vnc/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ondrej Balvin vs. Amedeo Tessitori: A pair of offensive rebounding aces go toe-to-toe on Wednesday.

After scoring 93 and 95 points to gain consecutive victories, Umana Reyer Venice (3-4) will look to make it three in a row with a trip to Prometey Slobozhanske (3-4) for a game which will break the tie between the teams just outside the playoff places.

Reyer and Prometey out to break Group A tie

Prometey Slobozhanske v Umana Reyer Venice (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Injury-hit Badalona (3-4) will look to bounce back from consecutive home losses with a trip to face direct rival Hapoel (4-2) for a game that will be played at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade. 

Game preview: Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Joventut Badalona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-joventut-badalona/U2023/75/) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-hta-jov) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-hta-jov/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Hapoel's potent offense – 97.0 points per game, second-best in the league – was outgunned by Prometey and Paris to suffer consecutive losses, but Jaylen Hoard will aim to maintain his hot streak after scoring at least 15 points in every game so far this season. Joventut, which could give a debut to new signing Tyler Cook, needs to address its defensive deficiencies after allowing 87 and 101 points in its last two defeats against London and Paris. The visitors will hope that teenage big man Michael Ruzic can stay hot after scoring 17 points last week.

[Hapoel Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/statistics/hta/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Joventut Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/statistics/jov/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

J'Covan Brown vs. Andrew Andrews: Virtuoso points guards measure each other for the first time in the EuroCup.

Injury-hit Joventut Badalona (3-4) will look to bounce back from consecutive home losses with a trip to face direct rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (4-2) in Belgrade in their first meeting since last season's quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals rematch as Hapoel hosts Joventut in Belgrade

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Joventut Badalona (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Fast-rising London Lions (5-2) will aim for their third straight victory as they host a forlorn Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (0-7) team still waiting for its first win of the season.

Game preview: London Lions vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/73/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-lli-lju) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-lli-lju/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Containing the creativity of Cedevita guard and EuroCup assists leader Klemen Prepelic (9.5 apg.) will be the biggest challenge for the London defense in this first-ever meeting between the teams. The English team's third-ranked offense (91 ppg.) is powered by an outstanding inside game. Lions are converting two-point shots at a 59.8% rate, second-best in the competition. Matt Morgan is a particular threat, averaging 18.7 points per game on 69.4% two-point shooting.

[London Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/statistics/lli/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Cedevita Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/statistics/lju/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Tarik Phillip vs. Klemen Prepelic: A pair of experienced backcourt scoring playmakers will go up against each other on Wednesday.

London aims to keep streaking vs. winless Cedevita

London Lions v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2023-11-22T19:30:00.000Z)

Rock-bottom Slask (0-7) is aiming for its first victory of the season with a visit from Lietkabelis (3-4), which has boosted its playoff hopes by gaining two consecutive victories.

Game preview: Slask Wroclaw vs. 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/77/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-wro-lkb) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-wro-lkb/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Both of those back-to-back wins for Lietkabelis were high-scoring affairs, most recently downing Turk Telekom behind 31 points from the consistent Gediminas Orelik, who has reached double-digit scoring every game this season. Slask will count on equally dependable powerhouse big man Dusan Miletic, who averages 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Taking care of the ball could be decisive: Slask ranks last in the league with 18.7 turnovers per game, with Lietkabelis next-worst with an average of 16.4.

[Slask Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/slask-wroclaw/statistics/wro/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Lietkabelis Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/statistics/lkb/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Dusan Miletic vs. Nikola Popovic: A pair of contemporary Serbian centers will mix it up in the middle on Wednesday.

Rock-bottom Slask Wroclaw (0-7) is aiming for its first victory of the season with a visit from 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (3-4), which has boosted its playoff hopes by gaining two consecutive victories.

Slask looks for first win vs. visiting Lietkabelis

Slask Wroclaw v 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

German champ Ulm (5-2) will look to keep pushing towards the top of Group B with a trip to Aris (3-4), which is in danger of slipping out of the playoff places after losing two of its last three games. 

Game preview: Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. ratiopharm Ulm

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/80/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-game-notes-facts-ari-ulm) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ec2324-rs8-prequotes-ari-ulm/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Greek team's problem has been offensive production, averaging just 63 points in the last three, and Aris will hope for a return to form from leading scorer Roberto Gallinat, who scored just 4 points in last week's loss against Bourg. Scoring is rarely a problem for Ulm, which averages 88.4 and 21.3 assists per game, fourth-best in the league in both categories, with Dakota Mathias reaching double digits in six of the seven games so far.

[Aris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/statistics/ari/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Ulm Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/statistics/ulm/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Silvio De Sousa vs. Trevion Williams: Two of the top 10 rebounders in the EuroCup will lock horns on Wednesday.

German champ ratiopharm Ulm (5-2) will look to keep pushing towards the top of Group B with a trip to Aris Midea Thessaloniki (3-4), which is in danger of slipping out of the playoff places after losing two of its last three games. 

Aris seeks restart against visiting Ulm

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

The season started with three defeats, but with a 3-4 record the Italian team is back on track in the BKT EuroCup.

After seemingly sinking, Reyer is emerging again

Taking a look at the post-Montepaschi Siena years in the Italian basketball landscape, only EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has managed to win more domestic championships (4) than Umana Reyer Venice. After lifting the Italian League title in both the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, the team from *La Serenissima* also brought home the 2019-2020 Italian Cup right before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the wise and meticulous leadership of Walter De Raffaele, the gold-and-garnet side entered the national history books but never overcame the eighthfinals obstacle in the BKT EuroCup. In particular, the team failed to make the most of its passionate support at Palasport Taliercio – Reyer’s small, crowded arena – when things mattered most.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1584229/reyer-venice-bkt-eurocup-regular-season-2023-2024/)

### Tuesday, November 21

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/78/)

A heavyweight battle at the top of Group B will see second-placed Cluj (6-1) welcome undefeated reigning champ Gran Canaria (7-0). 

The Spanish team's smooth offense is based on sharing the ball, averaging 22.6 assists per night – second-best in the competition. Andrew Albicy is the chief orchestrator with an average of 4.6 assists, and he also leads the team's hustle on defense by grabbing 2.1 steals per game. Cluj's main strength is defense, allowing just 71.1 points per game (second in the league) with a physical approach which has yielded 39.1 rebounds per night. Karel Guzman averages 5.9 boards and is in great form after bagging a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards in last week's win against Trento, earning him the MVP honor for Round 7.

[Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/79/)

New Buducnost (2-5) coach Andrej Zakelj will attempt to start with a victory as his team hosts Trento (3-4). 

he home team is on a four-game losing streak, while Trento saw its renaissance crash to a halt with last week's thumping loss against Cluj. This isn't likely to be a high-scoring game, with Buducnost ranking next-to-last in scoring at just 76.1 points per game while Trento isn't much better at 79.0. Expect a fierce battle for inside dominance between Jacorey Williams (11.7 ppg., 6.7 rpg.) and Andrejs Grazulis (12.9 ppg., 5.9 rpg.). The Trento man, however, can try to stretch the floor with his 50.0% three-point shooting.

Dolomiti Energia Trento - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 16 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Turk Telekom Ankara ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/76/)

Bourg (5-2) will try to strengthen its position in the playoffs places with a visit from struggling Turk Telekom (1-6), which desperately needs to revive its season after losing five games in a row. The visitors will need another strong performance from Tyrone Wallace, who has scored in double figures every game this season, including a high of 22 points in a Round 7 overtime loss against Lietkabelis. Bourg's balanced approach earned a narrow victory over Aris last week, led by 16 points from Zaccharie Risacher, but the French team will look to take more care with the basketball after committing 18 turnovers in that game. 

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Wolves Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/veolia-towers-hamburg-wolves-vilnius/U2023/72/) 

A week after finally gaining its first win of the season, Hamburg (1-6) will look to build more momentum by overcoming visiting playoffs-chasing Wolves (3-3). The German team's narrow win at Cedevita was led by 26 points from Aljami Durham, who has made 57.1% of his three-point attempts this season and reached double digits in scoring on four occasions. Wolves needs to bounce back from last week's surprise home loss against Reyer, and will look to crash the boards after averaging 12.2 offensive rebounds per game so far – second-most in the league. The consistent Tre'Shawn Thurman is the key man in that approach, averaging 2.7 offensive boards per game as well as 16.7 points. 

[Paris Basketball vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/74/)

Get ready for a big battle at the top of Group A, with unbeaten Paris (7-0) facing a challenge from second-placed Besiktas (5-2). 

The Turkish team, which wants a fast response to last week's home loss against London, will have to find a way of slowing down a Paris offense that leads the league in scoring (101.1 ppg.) and PIR (120.7). TJ Shorts (7.9 apg.) and Nadir Hifi (17.4 ppg.) are the leaders for the French team, but it won't be easy for them to excel against a Besiktas team with the third-best defense in the competition, 73.9 points per game allowed. The physicality of Angel Delgado, who has two double-doubles in a row, will be vital for Besiktas's chances of victory. 

### Wednesday, November 22

[Slask Wroclaw vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/77/) 

Rock-bottom Slask (0-7) is aiming for a first victory of the season with a visit from Lietkabelis (3-4), which has boosted its playoffs hopes by gaining two consecutive victories. Both of those back-to-back wins for Lietkabelis were high-scoring affairs, most recently downing Turk Telekom behind 31 points from the consistent Gediminas Orelik, who has reached double-digit scoring every game this season. Slask will count on equally dependable powerhouse big man Dusan Miletic, who averages 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Taking care of the ball could be decisive: Slask ranks last in the league with 18.7 turnovers per game, with Lietkabelis next-worst with an average of 16.4. 

[Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Umana Reyer Venice ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/71/)

After scoring 93 and 95 points to gain consecutive victories, Reyer (3-4) will look to make it three in a row with a trip to Prometey (3-4) for a game which will break the tie between the teams just outside the playoffs places. The home team, which could give a debut to exciting new signing Rob Gray, the 2021 EuroCup Finals MVP, also boosted its confidence last week, riding 19 points from Tai Odiase to grab an impressive victory over Hapoel. Reyer's on-form man is Barry Brown, who scored 21 and 24 points in his team's last two victories over Cedevita and Wolves, netting 3 triples on both occasions.  

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. ratiopharm Ulm ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/80/)

German champ Ulm (5-2) will look to keep pushing towards the top of Group B with a trip to Aris (3-4), which is in danger of slipping out of the playoffs places after losing two of its last three games. The Greek team's problem has been offensive production, averaging just 63 points in the last three, and Aris will hope for a return to form from leading scorer Roberto Gallinat, who scored just 4 points in last week's loss against Bourg. Scoring is rarely a problem for Ulm, which averages 88.4 and 21.3 assists per game, fourth-best in the league in both categories, with Dakota Mathias reaching double digits in six of the seven games so far. 

Joventut Badalona - Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv | Quarterfinals Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-joventut-badalona/U2023/75/) 

Injury-hit Badalona (3-4) will look to bounce back from consecutive home losses with a trip to face direct rival Hapoel (4-2) for a game that will be played at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade. Hapoel's potent offense – 97.0 points per game, second-best in the league – was outgunned by Prometey and Paris to suffer consecutive losses, but Jaylen Hoard will aim to maintain his hot streak after scoring at least 15 points in every game so far this season. Joventut, which could give a debut to new signing Tyler Cook, needs to address its defensive deficiencies after allowing 87 and 101 points in its last two defeats against London and Paris. The visitors will hope that teenage big man Michael Ruzic can stay hot after scoring 17 points last week. 

[London Lions vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/73/)

Fast-rising London (5-2) will aim for a third straight victory as it hosts a forlorn Cedevita (0-7) team still waiting for its first win of the season. Containing the creativity of Cedevita guard and EuroCup assists leader Klemen Prepelic (9.5 apg.) will be the biggest challenge for the London defense in this first-ever meeting between the teams. The English team's third-ranked offense (91 ppg.) is powered by an outstanding inside game. Lions are converting two-point shots at a 59.8% rate, second-best in the competition. Matthew Morgan is a particular threat, averaging 18.7 points per game on 69.4% two-point shooting. 

Round 8 tips off with a challenge for the champs

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2023-11-21T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2023-11-21T17:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-11-21T18:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Wolves Vilnius (2023-11-21T18:30:00.000Z)

Key clashes between the leaders in both groups could have impacts on the way the regular season plays out.

Stats review: Looking at Round 8's top-of-the-table duels

Round 7 of the BKT EuroCup featured several important matchups as the London Lions notched a hard-fought road victory over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Group A, Paris Basketball and Dreamland Gran Canaria remained undefeated, and U-BT Cluj-Napoca rose into sole possession of second place in Group B with a 38-point road win. All that action has set the stage for the most intriguing round of the EuroCup season so far as the top two teams in both groups go head-to-head with Besiktas heading to Paris and Cluj hosting Gran Canaria.  

The latter matchup features two of this season’s top defensive units. As the table above suggests, Cluj has gotten defensive stops on a higher percentage of the possessions it has faced than any team in the EuroCup.  While the Romanian champs have done a good job forcing turnovers and avoiding fouls, their shot defense has been the factor that has differentiated them among this season’s other top units. Preventing runouts, employing full-court pressure effectively without conceding many quality looks because of it, and limiting shots around the rim, Cluj's success this season has been built on is ability to do the little things.

Shot defense tends to level out to a degree over the course of the season as it is difficult to contain the shot-making at this level over the long haul, which tends to magnify the little things teams do well defensively by the end of the year.  Cluj has certainly established the right habits early but that will be put to the test against the reigning champions and this season’s third-most efficient offense in Round 8. The outcome there could provide clarity on whether there’s going to be a challenger at the top of Group B during the regular season as Gran Canaria would move two games clear with a victory.

Paris has already achieved that in Group B but will have a chance to make its cushion even more comfortable if it can defeat a second-place Besiktas team that has been in lockstep with on the defensive end on paper. Even though the outcomes they have achieved defensively have lined up almost perfectly, Besiktas and Paris have very different approaches with Besiktas looking to force teams to beat them inside the arc and Paris pushing the action away from the rim. How those differences stack up in Round 8 will be a storyline to follow as Paris currently ranks second in offensive efficiency and would put itself in prime position to finish the first half of the season undefeated with a win.  

Even in mid-November, Round 8 will have a playoff feel as the EuroCup’s best look to make a statement.