Quarterfinals predictions: Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Prometey Slobozhanske

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals begin tonight with the showdown between Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Prometey Slobozhanske. All four quarterfinal duels are one-game clashes, so the players will leave everything on the floor. Just like in the previous round, the EuroCupbasketball.com staff members who follow the competition as closely as anyone have made their predictions for each game. Check out their choices for Tuesday’s lone matchup.

Risacher will show why he's the projected No. 1 pick

by Geoff Gillingham

There has been so much talk about Zaccharie Risacher over the last few months and you know what? He's backed it all up. The 18-year-old is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft in late June and he's certainly shown his elite potential in this season's BKT EuroCup. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is entering the EuroCup Playoffs at the quarterfinal stage, with Risacher having averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists as the French team won Group B with a 14-4 record, thus earning a bye in the eighthfinals. I think that Risacher will have a key role against Prometey Slobozhanske in the quarters and wow even more NBA scouts with a stellar performance as Bourg books its spot in the semis. Given that Bourg had never even reached the last eight before, Risacher will ensure the French club continues to write history in this season's EuroCup. My pick: Bourg

Red-hot Prometey pulls the upset

by Javier Gancedo

Bourg has had a fantastic EuroCup season until now, however, it has struggled as of late, losing three of its last four official games, including an 84-61 French loss defeat against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. This do-or-die game doesn't seem to arrive at the best moment for Coach Frederic Fauthoux's team. On the other hand, Prometey has been on a roll lately. It registered a no-doubt-about-it 95-67 home victory over Aris Midea Thessaloniki in the eighthfinals. That was its 12th win in the last 13 games. The team is at full speed with D.J. Kennedy and Gian Clavell fully healthy and delivering. Prometey has a huge size advantage in the paint with Ondrej Balvin (arguably the best sixth man in the competition) and Tai Odiase against Bodian Massa and Kevin Kokila. Prometey is just deeper and in better form, and even though Bourg is 8-1 at home this season, I am going against the odds, saying that Prometey will pull off the upset. My pick: Prometey

Bourg continues its impressive season

by Igor Petrinovic

Bourg has had an impressive regular season, one in which it won Group B with only four losses. It has done so with the second-best scoring defense, which has allowed 76.4 points per game, held opponents to a league-low 29.2% three-point shooting and forced 16.6 turnovers per game, the second most in the EuroCup. It earned the team led by Zaccharie Riscaher and Isiaha Mike home-court advantage for all but the final round of the playoffs and Bourg had a perfect record at home before a loss in a regular-season finale in which the team had not much to play for as it already clinched the first place. In the later part of the season, Prometey got healthier getting Gian Clavell back and has clicked offensively, but the team does have only three road wins during this entire campaign and has lost three of the last four games in which it was a visitor. Those are all the reasons I see Bourg, and its balanced team, moving to the semifinals. My pick: Bourg

Prometey in a nail-biter

by Frankie Sachs

Of the four quarterfinals, this is the pick I am least confident in. Why am I choosing Prometey? Partly gut feeling. Partly because I chose Prometey in the EuroCup Bracket Challenge. Partly because I have to pick someone. A strong case can be made for both teams. Bourg has had the better season, plays tougher defense and has the most interesting player in Zaccharie Risacher. Prometey has the more prolific offense, more experience and the most dangerous player in center Ondrej Balvin, whose average PIR of 20 is fifth-best in the competition this season. The 2.17-meter Balvin could make all the difference if Bourg slows the game down, while Prometey typically thrives when the tempo is high. Thus: My pick: Prometey

Bourg's newfound resilience will prevail

by Frank Lawlor

It's another contrast in styles, this one between defensive-minded Bourg and attack-oriented Prometey, which overcame the league's top defense easily last week. Bourg's 8-1 home record versus Prometey's 3-6 on the road seems auspicious for the hosts until you factor in Group A's dominance in the eighthfinals. Bourg is more resilient than last season, when these teams split regular-season home wins. Prometey has largely the same roster, but would seem to be peaking at the right time. Prometey's collection of scoring threats makes it a whack-a-mole prospect to stop them, but the advantages in size and experience that center Ondrej Balvin brings will be Bourg's biggest test defensively. All that said, if Bourg young guns Hugo Benitez and Zaccharie Risacher can control the tempo while also defending the perimeter, the hosts have every chance to win. Balance and pace resulting in solid looks and shooting percentages have fueled Bourg all season, even more so at home, and that formula should be enough on Tuesday. My pick: Bourg