The EuroCup Eighthfinals met and exceeded all expectations - unless the team you were rooting for lost. Some teams used their home-court advantage to the fullest. Boulogne Metropolitans 92, Gran Canaria, MoraBanc Andorra, Valencia Basket and Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana all registered respective double-digit margins of victory at home to move on to the quarterfinals. Virtus Segafredo Bologna was the only team that won at home by single digits, downing Lietkabelis Panevezys 75-67 behind 20 points from Mam Jaiteh. 

Frutti Extra Bursaspor and ratiopharm Ulm were road warriors, knocking off Partizan NIS Belgrade and Joventut Badalona, respectively. Bursaspor needed overtime to win in the Serbian capital behind 24 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists from an unstoppable Andrew Andrews. Semaj Christon and Jaron Blossomgame each had 21 points to lead Ulm past Joventut, 73-79. Up next, it's Gran Canaria vs. Andorra and Virtus vs. Ulm on Tuesday, followed by Cedevita vs. Bursaspor and Valencia vs. Metropolitans on Wednesday. 

The EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is back with a new contest that started with the playoffs and will continue until the championship game. All teams are competing for a final prize - two EuroCup jerseys of any player, as chosen by the winner, an official EuroCup Spalding basketball, and a EuroLeague TV Subscription for the 2022-23 Season. 

Andrew Andrews, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Alen Omic, Milos Teodosic, Philipp Herkenhoff Top Plays from 04/15/2022 to 04/25/2022

EuroCup Fantasy tips quarterfinals

Here are five players we recommend you consider for your EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams this week:

Andrew Andrews, Frutti Extra Bursaspor (10.8 credits) - Yes, that's right. Andrews has been on fire for the better part of the last three months, scoring more than 20 points in seven of Bursaspor's last nine games. His team plays against a high-paced Cedevita squad. It looks like there is no way to go wrong with him. Strongly recommended! 

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Valencia Basket (10.1 credits) - Lopez-Arostegui was sidelined for a while and it was hard for him to find the right rhythm, being in a new team after a long time with Joventut. Lopez-Arostegui showed his best version in the eighthfinals against Hamburg Towers with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists for PIR of 18. 

Alen Omic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (12.2 credits) - Omic had a monster double-double in Cedevita's win against Turk Telekom Ankara with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Right now, Omic and Bojan Dubljevic of Valencia are tied for first place on the all-time offensive rebounding charts with 258 each! More rebounds lead to a higher PIR, so Omic is a safe bet. 

Milos Teodosic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (14.5 credits) - Teodosic struggled against Lietkabelis, finishing that game with 5 points on 2-of-8 shooting, 1 assist and a PIR of 2. It is a matter of probability; it is almost impossible for Teodosic to have those numbers in consecutive games. Expect him at his very best version against Ulm. 

Philipp Herkenhoff, ratiopharm Ulm (7.6 credits) - Herkenhoff missed a couple of games due to injury but returned in time to play a big role in Ulm's road win against Joventut. He finished the game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, a block and a PIR of 18. Cristiano Felicio remains sidelined and Herkenhoff should see most of the playing time at center.

Here are five players we recommend you consider for your EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams this week. 


Fantasy tips: Andrews and nine more

Andrew Andrews - Frutti Extra Bursaspor (photo Bursaspor) - EC21-RS11

Two teams that have faced each other four times since November 2020, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Frutti Extra Bursaspor, will engage at Stozice Arena in their biggest head-to-head clash yet with a place in the semifinals on the line.

Breakdown: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Frutti Extra Bursaspor

### Who can make (more) stops?

This quarterfinals clash figures to be a high-scoring affair. There are several factors that point to that and one of them is how each team's offense and defense has performed this season. Cedevita ranks third in scoring (87.3 ppg.) and Bursaspor is eighth (82.8 ppg.). Cedevita is second-best at two-point accuracy (57.6%) and these two sides are among the best three-point shooting teams with Bursaspor ranking third (39.2%) and Cedevita fourth (38.0%). The latter also made the second most triples (10.8 per game).

Both teams have also had porous defenses. No team forces fewer turnovers than Cedevita (11.2 topg.) and both sides rank among the bottom six this season in points allowed with Cedevita allowing 83.6 points and Bursa the third-most (84.7 ppg.). Bursaspor also allows the second-highest two-point shooting percentage (57.4%) and three-point percentage (39.7%) by opponents.

### Takeaways from their February clash

Another factor is how they played each other earlier this season and the last. After Cedevita swept Bursaspor last season by averaging 100.5 points in two games, the two teams split double-digit home wins during this regular season. Bursaspor won 93-84 at home in early November and the last time they met in February, Cedevita beat Bursaspor 103-86 at Arena Stozice.

That win marked the start of Cedevita's current nine-game winning streak. Cedevita shot 30 for 38 on two-pointers in that game and had eight different scorers with Yogi Ferrell leading the way with 19 points and Jacob Pullen netting 17. Each scorer had at least 6 points, and none of those eight missed more than 2 two-point attempts. But Bursaspor was without Andrew Andrews in that game and John Holland joined the team a month later. And those two were the top protagonists for Bursaspor in its overtime win in Belgrade last week. Defensive-ace Holland had 17 points on 4-for-5 three-point shooting and Andrews was the eighthfinals MVP after flirting with a triple-double, collecting 24 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.

### Backcourt firepower

Only three players in the quarterfinals averaged more points this season than Cedevita team captain Jaka Blazic (15.7 ppg.) and among the quarterfinalists, Cedevita point guard Yogi Ferrell is fifth (14.9 ppg.), Bursaspor's Andrews is sixth (14.3 ppg.) and Cedevita guard Jacob Pullen is eighth (13.9 ppg.). 

This game will feature five of the top nine scorers since the second half of the regular season started. In games since Round 10, no player has scored more points than Andrews, a total of 210 points for an average of 23.3. His teammates Onuralp Bitim and Derek Needham are fifth and sixth on that list, followed by Cedevita's Ferrell and Blazic.

Needham also ranks fourth this season with 2.6 triples per game and Ferrell is fifth with the same average. Pullen is seventh making 2.5 triples per game, and Blazic is ninth with 2.3 on average this season.

### Know thy enemy

These two sides have pretty good knowledge of each other and not just because of recent meetings. For starters, head coaches Dusan Alimpijevic and Jurica Golemac have gone against one another in the Adriatic League in the past, and Cedevita center Alen Omic played under Alimpijevic at Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade. However, no two players are more familiar with each other's tendencies than Pullen and Needham, who were backcourt mates at Moran Bar in Montenegro the past two seasons. 

Cedevita forward Zoran Dragic was a teammate of then-teenage Onuralp Bitim at Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Cedevita big man Zach Auguste was a teammate of Bursaspor center Ayberk Olmaz at Galatasaray Istanbul for two seasons. In addition, multiple other players have faced each other in domestic competitions in recent years, which all makes his clash even more intriguing.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Frutti Extra Bursaspor (2022-04-27T18:00:00.000Z)

The revamped EuroCup format proved to be a real challenge for the favorites and an excellent chance for the underdogs to get in the spotlight. The quarterfinals’ pairings were determined through the newly-introduced knock-out eighthfinals round, which left Group A leaders Joventut Badalona (1) and Partizan NIS Belgrade (2) empty-handed. Looking at the eighthfinals matchups on paper, it seemed virtually impossible for both Group A teams to be eliminated from quarterfinals contention, yet the Group B influence has just been too strong.

From the beginning of the season, the picture was pretty clear in Group A. Joventut and Partizan had a clear advantage, while Slask Wroclaw and Dolomiti Energia Trento seemed out of the playoff picture, leaving space for the rest of the teams to find a good spot in the standings. The suspension of Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar brought Slask into the playoff zone effortlessly, a task the team didn’t seem ready for. History proved that only two Group A teams were able to withstand the pressure.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1337472/eurocup-playoffs-survival-guide-the-group-b-influence/)

Luck or skill? Group B teams not only upset some favorites but vastly increased the chances of an All-Group B semifinals stage.

EuroCup playoffs survival guide: The Group B influence

Andrew Andrews - Frutti Extra Bursaspor (photo Bursaspor) - EC21-RS16

Dynamic guard Dylan Ennis is leading Gran Canaria into the 7DAYS EuroCup Quarterfinals on Tuesday against one of his former teams, MoraBanc Andorra, with whom he reached the semifinals and was chosen to the 2018-19 All-EuroCup Second Team. One of the most extroverted players in European basketball, Ennis is always ready to interact with fans on social media. You can follow him on TikTok (@dylanennis88), Instagram (@dylanennis31) and Twitter (@canadiankidDJE.) 

Dylan Ennis, Gran Canaria: 'There are no excuses now'

It's playoffs time! Obviously, it's an amazing feeling, but we know how we have already seen teams lose that are higher-seeded, so we can't be too happy. We know that we could enjoy it, being in the quarterfinals. We have worked hard to be in this position, but we know with the playoffs, anything can happen and we have seen that already. So we are just trying to stay focused but also enjoy the moment as well.

Last week, I told our team that I think we were fortunate enough to play on the second day instead of the first. And obviously we had the mentality that we were going to go in and do everything we can, even if we didn't see Joventut \[Badalona\] lose that first day. But I think it was definitely a wake-up call knowing that anything can happen, any team can win, any team can get hot during that one game. So seeing what happened to Joventut, it's sad, because it's obviously a Spanish team, but at the same time, it was good for us because we knew that, hey, the top teams could lose any game, any given night now.

"My daughter was born in Andorra. So now Andorra always has a special place in my heart."

We will have the home-court advantage in all games we play. I think that's good for us. We play our best basketball at home, so that's great. Our fans get to be there, our families get to watch the whole process. And, of course, teams have to come travel to see us -- and it's a long trip. I'm not sad that they have to make that trip to come play us. It is good for us that they have that problem. So, we are happy that we get to keep playing these games at home. 

Now that the EuroCup road trips are over, I can tell you a funny story. I think it was on social media, but when we went to Montenegro to play Buducnost, we didn't have any of our bags. So our team manager and our GM had to go to a local store and buy all of the shoes. And obviously, we were more comfortable in our own shoes, but they had that buy everybody shoes. And then when we did our practice the day before, we had to practice in \[Buducnost's\] jerseys, their practice jerseys, which was so funny. The team did a great job getting us shoes, but some of us weren't fully comfortable with the shoes we got. So, me and AJ Slaughter got a different pair of shoes at a local store the night before and we played in them, and everybody had such a good game that we said maybe we should now wear these shoes for the rest of the year. So, it’s a funny story, getting these random shoes to play in, but we were just happy that we ended up winning.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks to ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KKBuducnostVOLI</a>⁩ for their help to be able to train by lending us their clothes and accompanying us to buy shoes and everything we need to clean up <a href="https://t.co/1OGTOapX5B">pic.twitter.com/1OGTOapX5B</a></p>&mdash; willy villar (@willyvillar13) <a href="https://twitter.com/willyvillar13/status/1471053158705160194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

We will face Andorra in the quarterfinals and of course, it is a special game for me. Obviously, I know a lot of guys on that Andorra team and my daughter was born in Andorra. So now Andorra always has a special place in my heart. Before the game, I will talk to all of them and it will be great, but when that ball is thrown up, we are at war with them to go to the next round. And I think they are such a dangerous team because they have nothing to lose right now. They have had a rough season, but now this is their light at the end of the tunnel, the EuroCup, if they can continue to do good. So we have to come out and play tough. But even though I love Andorra, I'm picking us before anybody else. So we have to go out there and play hard. 

We have a deep frontcourt this season, now that Olek Balcerowski is here. It's wild because obviously it's one guy, but he's a big guy and we have so much more weapons now on the box. John Shurna didn't play the last game but we have so much more guys to fill in now. I think, having a deep team, adding him, it definitely helps us in the long run. Not everybody can play big minutes and, maybe some guys may be mad here and there on any team if you have a deep team. But you have to look at the big picture and I think we are so good because everybody is buying in. Everybody's realizing that it's not about one guy, it's about the whole team. And as long as the team succeeds, that's the main thing. So adding him, it was so big for us.

Dylan Ennis Top Plays from Herbalife Gran Canaria vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, 03/23/2022 and Segafredo Virtus Bologna vs. Herbalife Gran Canaria, 03/29/2022

2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup highlights Dylan Ennis Gran Canaria

Of course, both teams know each other well. I don't feel like there will be any tactical surprises. We both know each other so well, but it's just going to come down to who wants it more. You've just got to go out there and want it more. It's not going to be about the Xs and Os. Spanish teams know each other so well. Everybody in the league knows each other. Everybody knows what everybody could do, but in this playoff situation, it's going to be who wants to win more. 

Joventut went down in the eighthfinals, but also Partizan. I have had a little experience with this format. I wouldn't say the same exactly, but playing it March Madness, you have the same type of format. You realize you can have one off game and you could be sent home no matter how good or bad you do all season. So that's my mentality, having been through it, and I think our team has that same mentality. We know that it could happen. People could say we might be the favorites against Andorra, but in our minds, there are no favorites anymore. It's not best-of-three, it's not best-of-five. It's a one-game series and you know the top team could just have a bad night -- and the bottom team could have a great night. We are not looking past Andorra in any regard. We know that they are a tough team.

Still, you look at the bracket and think about what can happen. We have Cedevita Olimpija and Bursaspor in our side of the bracket. Cedevita is playing great basketball, obviously. I know they have switched a lot of players in and out throughout the year, but I think they have the team that they wanted, and they are playing great basketball. They are going to be tough to beat. But, as I said, it doesn't matter what people did before, it doesn't matter what new players you have, all that matters is that one game. And I think they definitely are in a good rhythm right now. So there are definitely a dangerous team to play against.

"We are paid to play basketball and you have to enjoy that pressure. You have to embrace it."

The regular season games can't help you right now. It's just about the next game, and I think this one-game elimination, it heightens that. Yes, there is a lot of pressure but we are basketball players. We are paid to play basketball and you have to enjoy that pressure. You have to embrace it, because I know I do. It is a great format. It gives people a little anxiety, but hey, this is what we do. We compete. So if you want to compete at the highest level and you want to do something great, then you have to risk some stuff, and that's what we are doing. We are going into a one-game elimination, and we have to make sure that we are super focused on just the game at hand. 

there are no excuses now. You can't say, "Oh, I wish they changed the format." You can't do that. You have to be man enough to play that good game on that one day, especially if you have home-court advantage. It's not a neutral site, so that's not an excuse either. If you have home-court advantage and you have that complaint about it not being a three-game series, then you're just not a competitor. It's a one-game elimination, you just have to make sure that you want it more than the other team.

Dylan Ennis - Gran Canaria Bologna (photo Matteo Marchi - Virtus) - EC21-RS17

Gran Canaria looks for its fourth EuroCup Semifinals berth after previous appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2021. Andorra reached the semifinals in 2019. A big crowd is expected at Gran Canaria Arena to attend this showdown between two teams that know each other really well.

Breakdown: Gran Canaria vs. MoraBanc Andorra 

### Crossed paths  

It is very unusual to see four former teammates reunite on a new team, but that is exactly what happened in Gran Canaria. Andrew Albicy, Dylan Ennis, John Shurna and Oliver Stevic were with Andorra during the 2018-19 campaign and had great success playing together. Andorra reached the 2019 semifinals, its best result in European competitions. Albicy was named to the 2018-19 All-EuroCup First Team and Ennis earned All-EuroCup Second Team honors. Three years later, all of them are with Gran Canaria, ready to go against their former team. 

Andorra also features players who played for Gran Canaria in the past. Oriol Pauli is set to receive a warm ovation after spending six seasons with Gran Canaria. In his first campaign there, Pauli helped Gran Canaria reach the 2015 EuroCup Finals before losing to Khimki Moscow Region. A year later, Pauli lifted the Spanish SuperCup trophy and made it to the Spanish Copa del Rey final. Andorra playmaker Clevin Hannah also played for Gran Canaria during the 2018-19 campaign. 

Dylan Ennis, Andrew Albicy, Oliver Stevic, John Shurna Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

Ennis Shurna Albicy Stevic face their former team

### Earlier this season

Gran Canaria and Andorra have not faced each other in the EuroCup this season, but shared the court twice in the Spanish League regular season. Andorra defeated Gran Canaria 87-71 at home on October 10, 2021. It was Andorra's first domestic win of the season. Drew Crawford and David Jelinek led the winners with 13 points each and Victor Arteaga added 12 for Andorra, which led 35-17 at the end of the first quarter. Gran Canaria managed to get within 49-48, but a great fourth quarter allowed Andorra to win the game. Artem Pustovyi scored 16 points to lead the visitors. 

Earlier this month, on April 13, Gran Canaria edged Andorra 84-78 at home in a hard-fought game. Shurna, Ennis and Nico Brussino paced the winners with 13 points apiece. Pustovyi, Albicy and Miquel Salvo each added 10 for Gran Canaria. Hannah scored 12 points for Andorra, which outrebounded Gran Canaria 31-40, including 15 offensive boards. Gran Canaria forced Andorra into 18 turnovers and committed only 11. With the game on the line, 77-76, Shurna and Brussino stepped up in crunch time to lead Gran Canaria to the win. 

### Similar playing styles 

Gran Canaria and Andorra have played at pretty much the same rhythm all season long. Gran Canaria goes to the foul line 16.8 times on average and makes 11.7 free throws per night (69.6% FT). Andorra ranks 18th in free throws attempted (15.7), making 11.4 of those (72.5% FT). Their numbers are almost identical from downtown; Andorra takes 25.4 shots per game (36.4% 3FG) and Gran Canaria has fewer attempts (25.1) but a better percentage (39.5% 3FG). Andorra excels in two-point shooting percentage (55.2% 2FG), taking 37.8 attempts inside the arc. Gran Canaria takes more shots, 38.5, but with a lower percentage (52.1% 2FG) 

Both teams have good assist-to-turnover ratios. Gran Canaria dishes 1.44 assists for each turnover and Andorra is close at 1.32. Again, the numbers are very similar under the boards. Gran Canaria leads in offensive rebounds (11.7 orpg., Andorra 10.6 orpg.), and Andorra is ahead in total (36.3 rpg., Gran Canaria 34.8 rpg.) and defensive rebounds (25.7 drpg., Gran Canaria 24.1 drpg.). Their scoring averages are also almost identical - Gran Canaria averages 81.6 points per night and Andorra is right behind (80.8 ppg.).

Babatunde Edward Olumuyiwa, Moussa Diagne, Victor Arteaga Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

Andorra deep at the 5 position

### Centers could be critical

Both teams have deep, versatile frontcourts and both coaches have a lot of options at the center position. Gran Canaria boss Porfi Fisac can count on five players at that spot, all very different from each other. Olek Balcerowski (2.15 meters) and Artem Pustovyi (2.18) are tall centers with a soft touch and polished post skills. Ilimane Diop is an accomplished shot blocker who can stretch the floor with his shots from downtown. Khalifa Diop is a force of nature, who plays above the rim, and the 38-year-old Oliver Stevic offers much-needed experience in the low post.

Andorra also relies on three very different players who can make the difference in the paint. Finally healthy, Moussa Diagne is a physical center ready to use his athleticism and outside shooting against Pustovyi and Balcerowski. Victor Arteaga is an old-school center with good hands, a soft touch around the basket and good timing to block shots. Coach Oscar Quintana can always rely on Babatunde Olumuyiwa to provide energy, physicality and great intensity under the boards. Both teams have solid frontcourt weapons and whoever uses them better will have a big advantage - both figuratively and literally.

Gran Canaria v MoraBanc Andorra (2022-04-26T19:00:00.000Z)

After another standout appearance in the eighthfinals, ratiopharm Ulm's star forward Jaron Blossomgame is the subject of this week's EuroCup interview. 

Jaron Blossomgame, Ulm: 'We are not backing down from anybody'

ratiopharm Ulm recorded a stunning eighthfinals upset when it knocked off top-seeded Joventut Badalona last week. Ulm handed Joventut its first - and only - home loss of the season, playing with great aggressiveness and conviction. Jaron Blossomgame finished the game with 21 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting and continued to showcase his all-around skills in his first EuroCup season. The versatile forward ranks fourth in average PIR (20.0) for the season. Blossomgame has been worth 15.9 points on good shooting percentages (58.1% 2FG, 39.5% 3FG), 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 fouls drawn in 18 games. Blossomgame is a big fan of the competition's new format, as he told the official EuroCup website in this week's interview. "The bracket is cool. A lot of the guys on the team, we like looking at the bracket and talking about who is going to advance. It's exciting, I like it," Blossomgame said. "I hope it's here to stay. It gives everyone a fair shot and it's a lot easier."

**Hello, Jaron. Congratulations on beating Joventut in Badalona. You said on Twitter you were "giant killers". What was the key to winning this game?** 

"Honestly, I think it started with our self-belief as a team. Everybody on the outside, obviously, didn't believe that we could do it, but it's about what we believe as a team. And we had a tough road stretch. I'm pretty sure not a lot of people know, but we were in Berlin, then we went from Berlin to Bamberg and then from Bamberg straight to Badalona. So it was the last day of a road trip. guys were tired, but we fought hard. We fought through adversity, it definitely wasn't easy. We knew the challenge we had ahead, facing them on their home court where they hadn't lost all season. But we are also a good team. We have some quality and Coach Jaka put together a great plan for us. We went out there and executed and never stopped believing.

"There were times in the game where they would get up 4-5, maybe 6 points, but we kept fighting and fighting. And I think the beautiful thing about the way the EuroCup format is in these playoffs is that anything can happen in these games. A few of my teammates, we talked about it. We could feel a shift in the last 4 minutes of the game. We had no pressure and were just going out to play and whatever happens, happens. But obviously they had EuroLeague aspirations, winning the EuroCup. We wanted to play freely and believe in each other. We made shots and played well and I'm happy that it translated into a win for us." 

"The beauty about this EuroCup format is everyone can win."

**You were without Cristiano Felicio and Philipp Herkenhoff in the last few regular-season games, dropping some spots in the standings. Did you feel that you were kind of underestimated?** 

"In a sense, yeah. I mean, obviously, losing a piece like Felicio definitely hurt us. He is an elite rebounder, a big physical presence down low for us. And we kind of struggled to figure out what the new normal would be without him. I think we lost three in a row in the EuroCup and really suffered in some of those games, in the low post, but we figured some things out. We got Herkenhoff playing a lot better as well as Bretzel, and we are a team with a lot of talent, man. We have a lot of quality as well. We are one of those teams that people sleep on. We do not really get credit in the EuroCup, but we are here to stay. We are playing well, playing good basketball, and we have another big challenge this week. We are not backing down from anybody. We are excited to play anybody on the schedule. And like I said, the beauty of this EuroCup format is anyone can win. We saw that as well with Partizan and Bursaspor. We are excited about what we got. We are excited about the win we got on Tuesday, and want to continue."

**You seem to like the new EuroCup format a lot.** 

"I like it, man. I think a lot of people also don't like it, but I think the people who don't like it are the people whose teams lost. But I like it, man. It makes the games way more exciting. Every possession means so much because one little thing can change the outcome of the game. It's fun - it's like March Madness. The bracket is cool. A lot of the guys on the team, we like looking at the bracket and talking about who is going to advance. It's exciting, I like it. I hope it's here to stay. It gives everyone a fair shot and it's a lot easier. We had an 18-game EuroCup season as well as what we are doing in our domestic leagues, so it's a lot of travel and everything. And to play a series right now at this point in the season is definitely tough if you are one of those teams that are in the EuroCup Playoffs as well as your domestic playoffs. So I like it. I hope it's here to stay."

Jaron Blossomgame Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 EuroCup highlights Jaron Blossomgame ratiopharm Ulm

**This is your first year in the EuroCup. Other than the competition system, what do you think about the playing level and the organization?** 

"I think it's organized very, very well. Like you said, it is my first year in it. I really didn't know what to expect at first, to be honest. But the league, the level of play is obviously very, very high. There are very, very good teams in there with very big budgets. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to be one of those teams to make the playoffs and we did that. Now we are in the elite eight \[quarterfinals\] and are just excited about that. I'm happy for us. But as far as the EuroCup, I like it. It is very competitive. We have great teams all over. The travel sometimes is tough, but you know that's part of it. I have nothing but good things to say about it." 

**You played in Israel and Germany for the last two years. Before that, you started your career in the NBA and the G League. What's the biggest difference between those basketball worlds?** 

"It's a totally different game, completely different. The spacing in the NBA is a big difference-maker. There is no 3 \[seconds\] in the key for defensive violation and in the NBA, it is a big deal. And the physicality of the game as well. It is officiated so differently over here. It took me probably a good month last season to adjust to it. Things that were fouls in America aren't fouls over here. So you got to kind of get used to that playing style. And obviously, once I did, I was able to play at a high level. Having played two seasons in Europe, I appreciate the European game a lot more than the NBA game. 

"Everything matters so much more, every possession counts, every little detail in the scouting report... everything matters over here. And I like being a part of games that are meaningful. In the NBA, for example, you have 82 games, and the G League is a numbers' league, guys just trying to get there and trying to get the call-up, which I understand. But to be a part of a team over here and actually compete at a high level and play like we are doing this season, I definitely like it a lot more. And definitely, it means a lot more to me to play on a team like this and compete every night to try to win games and try to get my team to the playoffs." 

**You will play against Virtus now. They beat you in Bologna and you beat them in Ulm. Does it make much difference to have played them before this game or is it going to be a completely different game?** 

"I think it'll be quite a different game. We had, Felicio in those games and in the first game we didn't have Thornwell, he was here for the second game and, obviously, they have Shengelia and Daniel Hackett as well, so there are a few roster changes. But anything can happen, I think it's going to be a completely different game. I am definitely excited for it. I like what we have, but I understand that they are a great team as well and there's a lot on the line in this game, a \[semifinals\] appearance. We are definitely one of those teams that had aspirations like this before the season. It is all in front of us. I expect it to be a really, really good game, really competitive game as well. I'm excited for it. The last two games we played them were exciting. The first game in Bologna was actually pretty close until the end, and obviously in the game at home, we kind of pulled away there in the second half. So I expect another really, really good game."

**Coach Jaka Lakovic is not just a former player but was a EuroLeague superstar. Is that a plus to understand players better?** 

"I think so. I would say he is a player's coach. And having that experience as a player, playing at a high level, he understands what we are going through at certain times and what we need as players, having been on that side for so long. But he's done a great job this season with us. It's actually funny because I didn't know anything about him before I came here and I would hear stories from everyone else about how great he was. I actually looked him up and he obviously had a hell of a career playing basketball, but I like playing for him. It took me a while to adjust to his coaching style in the beginning because he's so demanding. But being a mature player, I am able to understand that, it is just for the betterment of myself and the team. I enjoy the fact that he holds me and my teammates to such a high standard. I think that's a big part of the reason why we have had success this year, because of the coaching philosophy that he follows. He has been outstanding for us this year."

"Having played two seasons in Europe, I appreciate the European game a lot more than the NBA game."

**Lakovic played for Zeljko Obradovic and Xavi Pascual for many years, two coaches with great attention to detail. Is that a must for him as a coach?** 

"Yes, sure. Even in practice, no matter who you are, he's going to coach you hard. And whether it's a scouting detail or a shooting detail or coming off the screen... like, any little small detail, he's huge on those things. And he always tells us, like as a player for him, even taking care of your body, details like that on your off day, stretching, recovering... those small details will take you so much further in your career as well. But I think he's really, really good for us as well, and for the younger guys to have a guy like him who can kind of instill some of those key traits throughout their career, because those things are important, man. The older I get, progressing in my career, I understand how much small details matter. So it's great to see my coach holding me and my teammates to that same standard as well is actually really, really good to see."

**You have been promoting the All-EuroCup team selections on Twitter, encouraging fans to vote. How great would it be for you to be on the All-EuroCup teams?** 

"It would be amazing, man. I set some goals for myself for the season and I would be shocked to make it, to be honest. I know I have had a great season this year, but it would be such a blessing to be considered one of the top 10 guys of the season. I put a lot of hard work in, my teammates put me in a good position to be successful, along with my coaches. But it is out of my control. I have got to keep being who I am, keep playing hard and try to get a win for us on Tuesday. But it's something I think about for sure. It would be a huge accomplishment. But hey - we will see here in about two or three weeks, right? 

**Exactly, we'll see. Finally, you and Bursaspor proved that anything can happen in the playoffs. How important is self-confidence in do-or-die situations like this?** 

"I think we are a fairly confident group overall. It's just continuing to do what we do. Small details matter so much and in a game like playing against Virtus, every possession is going to matter. It was the same thing in Badalona: every possession mattered, every small detail mattered, everything mattered. And you have to take advantage of those moments: every 50-50 ball has to go our way. We have to be the more aggressive team. We have to be all on the same page. I think that stuff, more so than X's and O's, will give us a chance to win the game at a place like Bologna, with the talent they have as well."

Jaron Blossomgame - ratiopharm Ulm - (photo David Grau - Joventut) EC21-EF

Two of the best forwards in the 7DAYS EuroCup meet in the quarterfinals when Kyle Weems of Virtus Segafredo Bologna matches up against Jaron Blossomgame of ratiopharm Ulm.

Major matchup: Virtus's Weems vs. Ulm's Blossomgame

Weems is more experienced, as this is his fifth EuroCup season. He helped Strasbourg reach the finals in 2015 and made it to the semifinals with Virtus last season. Weems is averaging 13.2 points on 63.2% two-pointers and 41.0% three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 19 games this season. He had 10 points in his team's Round 2 victory against Ulm and better numbers - 14 points, 6 rebounds, 14 PIR - in Virtus's Round 11 road loss against the same opponent. Weems's size and one-on-one skills will be needed against a tough, physical opponent.

Keys to victory: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. ratiopharm Ulm

### Virtus’s depth could make the difference

The many injuries Virtus has been forced to deal with this season could prove to be a blessing in disguise in the playoffs as Coach Scariolo has a large stable of battle-tested horses to choose from. In the eighthfinals victory over Lietkabelis Panevezys, the team used a 10-man rotation with all 10 players seeing at least 10 minutes of playing time – and no player coming close to 30. In contrast, Ulm was forced to ride its stars hard in its upset win at Joventut Badalona with Semaj Christon, Jaron Blossomgame and Sindarius Thornwell all playing at least 33 minutes. Especially if this game is a close one, having fresher legs down the stretch could make a big difference.

### Ulm must cut down on its turnovers

Ulm has committed the second-most turnovers in the competition this season, 14.4 per game, and they face a team with aggressive backcourt defenders in Alessandro Pajola, Isaia Cordinier and Daniel Hackett. Virtus has forced 14.2 turnovers per game. The visitors must take good care of the ball to improve their chances and that starts with Semaj Christon and Thomas Klepeisz. If Ulm limits the turnovers and can even force some steals at the other end, it would help the team’s chances to win another big game on the road.

Karim Jallow - ratioharm Ulm (photo Larry Langer - Ulm) - EC21

Dylan Ennis of Gran Canaria and Clevin Hannah of MoraBanc Andorra have played for the opposing teams in the past. Now the star guards are fighting for a semifinals spot.

Major matchup: Gran Canaria's Ennis vs. Andorra's Hannah

Ennis played for Andorra in the 2018-19 season, helped the team reach the semifinals and was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team. He has averaged a career-high 14.9 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 18 games until now. He played against Andorra twice in the Spanish League this season, averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Ennis uses his athleticism to get to the basket and thrives in transition, where he can make the most out of his quickness and great decision-making.

Hannah is more of an old-school combo guard, able to pass the ball and pull the trigger from downtown. He played for Gran Canaria during the 2018-19 season, while Ennis was with Andorra. Hannah is averaging 11.6 points on 41.7% three-point shooting and 3.7 assists this season. In two Spanish League games against Gran Canaria in the current campaign, Hannah averaged 8.5 points and 1.0 assist. Controlling the game tempo should be a big key for Andorra and Hannah should play a major role in that due to his experience and high basketball IQ.

Clevin Hannah - MoraBanc Andorra (photo Martin Imatge - Andorra) - EC21-EF