### Different offensive philosophies

There is a clear difference between how these teams think about offense. Despite very similar efficiency rates on two-point shots, Metropolitans attacks inside much more often than Reyer. Indeed Metropolitans' league-leading 45.4 two-point attempts and 24.6 made shots inside the arc per game are both the most by any EuroCup team in more than five years.  Meanwhile, Reyer ranks third-to-last with averages of 18.4 shots made on 33.9 tries even though it edges Metropolitans slightly in two-point efficiency, 54.4% to 54.2%. The reverse is true in three-point shooting. Despite making triples at a rate of 36.3%, or 10th-best in the league, Metropolitans shooters attempt just 19.6 per game, fewer than all but one other team this season. Reyer, with a 16th-ranked 34.1% accuracy rate from deep, sends up 28.1 threes per game, fourth-most among all EuroCup teams and almost 10 more than Metropolitans. 

Levallois Metropolitans Top Plays from 01/15/2022 to 04/15/2022

Metropolitans' rim-runners

### Metropolitans' low-foul defense

While both teams ranked in the middle of the pack so far in points allowed to their opponents, Metropolitans fans can rest assured that their team is unlikely to give away crucial ones in a do-or-die game by fouling too much. The Game 1 hosts are the least likely team to foul in the EuroCup this season, and as a consequence, their opponents make a league-low 10.2 free throws per game. Its 16.4 fouls committed per game means that for a minimum of one quarter, Metropolitans' opponents do not get even one bonus free throw. For a team that conserves its fouls, however, it stands to reason that Metropolitans probably averages two or more quarters per game without giving opponents bonus free throws. In seven quarters this season, Metropolitans held their rivals to less than 15 points, and if they can do so again by not giving away extra points, they will be well-positioned to defend their home court. 

### Reyer's staying power

One of Reyer's strengths coming into the game is roster consistency, with Stefano Tonut, Andrea De Nicolao, Austin Daye, Michael Bramos, Bruno Cerella, Julyan Stone and Mitchell Watt all having served under head coach Walter De Raffaele for at least three of his almost six seasons with the club, including all of the club's last three EuroCup campaigns. That kind of togetherness is rare in elite basketball, and may help explain how Reyer rebounded from a catastrophic four losses in 14 days at the start of March by winning its final two regular-season games. The last of those, in which Reyer outplayed Group B winner Gran Canaria on the road, is something that Metropolitans cannot ignore. It both restored Reyer's road confidence and showed that a team of brothers had heard their wake-up call and reacted like true veterans to regain some winning momentum heading into the playoffs.

Will Cummings, Jeff Brooks Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

Former EuroCup champs Will Cummings, Metropolitans, and Jeff Brooks, Reyer

### Leadership and experience

There is no doubt coming into Wednesday's game that Metropolitans will rely on its outside-inside combo of Will Cummings and Vince Hunter. That duo has eight of the team's 10 highest scoring games and PIRs this season, while Cumming accounts for seven top-10 assist nights and Hunter the best four rebounding performances of Metropolitans. Reyer is more of a mixed bag, with eight different players having come out as top scorer and six as the best in PIR for the team this season. Mitchell Watt and Jeff Brooks have shared top rebounding nights for Reyer, while Jordan Theodore and Stefano Tonu have done so in assists. One could argue that if Reyer stops Cummings or Hunter, it will have a better chance to win, while Metropolitans has more people to worry about. What is sure is that the only two former EuroCup champs on the floor, Cummings for Metropolitans and Brooks for Reyer, both know what it takes at this stage of the season. Expect them to try to lead by example on Wednesday.

After an impressive finishing run to claim Group A's third place, Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (11-5) will host Umana Reyer Venice (9-9), the sixth-placed team from Group B, in Paris next Wednesday.

Breakdown: Boulogne Metropolitans 92 vs. Umana Reyer Venice

Boulogne Metropolitans 92 v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-04-20T18:00:00.000Z)

No EuroCup team has been as efficient scoring around the rim this season as Virtus. Nonetheless, what could influence its chances this postseason is the team's ability to make open shots from the perimeter – or not. 

Virtus shooters have made a well-above-average 38% of their guarded catch-and-shoot jump shots in half-court situations all season. Oddly enough, they have an identical 38% on the same shots when they are unguarded, which falls well below average. When they are making those open shots, however, Virtus has scored in bunches.

Kyle Weems, Milos Teodosic, Amar Alibegovic, Daniel Hackett Top Deep 3'S, 3 Pts of the 2021-22 Round 18, 2021-22 Round 17 and 5 other Season Parts

Virtus Segafredo Bologna s three-point marksmen

Lietkabelis has had similar issues with its perimeter shot-making but has done much of its best work defensively. 

Defending the pick-and-roll at an extremely high level on the year, Lietkabelis has protected the rim more consistently on some nights than others, which, given Virtus's effectiveness inside, will be a key factor to watch once their do-or-die eighthfinal game starts. 

The Lithuanian team may well decide to focus on interior defense and take a chance on Virtus shooters making open shots at the same rate as they do guarded ones. 

Lietkabelis Panevezys Top Blocks, Steals of the 2021-22 Regular Season

In a one-game, do-or-die playoff, anything can happen, but some season-long statistical trends may offer clues to the possible storylines when Virtus Segafredo Bologna hosts Lietkabelis Panevezys in their 7DAYS EuroCup Eighthfinals winner-take-all battle.

Eighthfinals clues: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys

Daniel Hackett - Virtus Segafredo Bologna (photo Jacques Cormareche - Bourg) - EC21-RS18

Lietkabelis Panevezys celebrates (Photo Marvin Contessi) - EC21-RS13

Players Virtus Segafredo Bologna (photo Matteo Marchi - Virtus) - EC21-RS17

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-04-20T18:45:00.000Z)

Group B winner Gran Canaria will host Slask Wroclaw, the eighth-placed team in Group A, in the eighthfinals on Wednesday. 

Breakdown: Gran Canaria vs. Slask Wroclaw

### Slask looks for first road win 

To make it to the quarterfinals, Slask will need to record its first road win of this EuroCup season. Slask has won three games until now, and all of them were at home - against Hamburg Towers in Round 6, Turk Telekom Ankara in Round 12 and Dolomiti Energia Trento in Round 14. It lost on the road three times by 4 points or less, at Boulogne Metropolitans 92 in Round 2 (86-83), Trento in Round 5 (81-77) and Partizan NIS Belgrade (75-73) in Round 7. 

On the other hand, Gran Canaria did not have its best season at home. Half of its six losses came at Gran Canaria Arena - in the season opener against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (77-79), in Round 6 against ratiopharm Ulm (81-96) and its regular-season finale against Umana Reyer Venice (69-76).

Slask Wroclaw Top Blocks from Slask Wroclaw vs. Hamburg Towers, 12/08/2021, Slask Wroclaw vs. TURK TELEKOM ANKARA, 02/02/2022 and 1 other game

Slask s defense leads to wins

### Gran Canaria's Polish connection 

Gran Canaria features two Polish players, center Olek Balcerowski and playmaker A.J. Slaughter, and that gives the hosts another advantage. Balcerowski, the 2020-21 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star, was born in Swidnica, some 50 kilometers from Wroclaw. He is averaging 9.4 points and 2.2 rebounds since re-joining the team in March. 

Slaughter became a Polish citizen in 2015 and has played for the Polish national team ever since. He is averaging 11.2 points on 45.2% three-pointers and 3.5 assists in 15 EuroCup games this season. Slaughter and Balcerowski helped Poland reach the 2019 World Cup quarterfinals in its first appearance at the tournament since 1967. 

Aleksander Balcerowski, Aj Slaughter Top Plays from Herbalife Gran Canaria vs. Frutti Extra Bursaspor, 03/09/2022, ratiopharm Ulm vs. Herbalife Gran Canaria, 03/15/2022 and 1 other game

Balcerowski, Slaughter: Polish connection in Gran Canaria

### Experience is on Granca's side 

Gran Canaria is in its 14th EuroCup season and ranks third among clubs in games played; the game against Slask will be its 205th in the competition. It seeks a seventh trip to the EuroCup quarterfinals. Gran Canaria's best result was reaching the 2015 Finals, where it lost against Khimki Moscow Region. Last season, Gran Canaria made it to the semifinals.

Slask is playing its first EuroCup campaign since the 2007-08 season. Back then, Gran Canaria center Oliver Stevic made his EuroCup debut with Slask. Stevic has played 100 games in the competition with seven different teams. Only one Slask player has EuroCup eighthfinals experience; Ivan Ramljak played for Cedevita Zagreb against Gran Canaria in 2015. Kerem Kanter helped Joventut qualify for the 2020 quarterfinals, but those games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### A clash of styles 

Gran Canaria has scored 81.3 points on average this season. Its scoring average rises to 86.1 points in wins and falls to 71.7 points in losses. Coach Porfi Fisac's team is 1-5 (20%) when scoring 77 points or less, and 11-1 (91.7%) when topping that number. Its only win scoring less than 77 points came in Round 10 when it defeated Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 60-75. Its only loss scoring more than 77 points was at home against ratiopharm Ulm in Round 6, 81-96. 

Slask is 2-0 (100%) when holding opponents under 70 points and 1-14 (7.1%) when it doesn't. It has not happened very often this season, as Slask allows 84.1 points on average. Opponents get 12.4 offensive rebounds per night - only Turk Telekom Ankara (13.8) allows more. Therefore, it looks like the game rhythm should be important - Gran Canaria likes to run the floor and Slask is more effective when the game rhythm is low.

Gran Canaria v Slask Wroclaw (2022-04-20T19:00:00.000Z)

In a one-game, do-or-die playoff, anything can happen, but some season-long statistical trends may offer clues to the possible storylines when Valencia Basket hosts Hamburg Towers in their 7DAYS EuroCup Eighthfinals winner-take-all battle.

Eighthfinals clues: Valencia Basket vs. Hamburg Towers

Hamburg has not been able to get stops consistently this season, but in spurts, they have been explosive on the offensive end — both at home and on the road. Averaging 83.2 points this season, the team has scored at least 90 points in six home games, and 85 or more points three times away from home this season, winning two of those road games.

Jaylon Brown (16.9 ppg., 40.2% 3P%) has been their x-factor as his versatility and range as a shooter have often stood out on Hamburg's best nights. And he is coming in as one of the hottest players in the competition, having scored at least 17 points in six of his last eight appearances.

Hamburg Towers guard Jaylon Brown has been one of the hottest players in the 7DAYS EuroCup since mid-December.

Who's hot: Jaylon Brown Hamburg Towers

His ability to get hot and help his team keep pace with a Valencia team that leads the EuroCup in half-court offensive efficiency will be something to monitor in this game. And, likely, much needed for Hamburg.

That is because, with all the scoring that Hamburg has managed to produce, Valencia's offense has been even more productive averaging 86.8 points. That's even more true on its home floor, with only one playoff team scoring more in front of its fans than Valencia's average of 91.7 points and no team in the competition dishing more than Valencia's 23.1 assists at home.

Valencia's efficient half-court offense

Valencia Basket celebrates (photo Miguel Angel Polo - Valencia) - EC21-RS18

Valencia Basket v Hamburg Towers (2022-04-20T18:30:00.000Z)

Two well-rounded 7DAYS EuroCup squads will fight for a quarterfinals spot when MoraBanc Andorra hosts Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in a make-or-break showdown. 

Series breakdown: Andorra vs. Buducnost 

### Buducnost, deadly from the foul line

Buducnost leads the 7DAYS EuroCup in free-throw shooting percentage, having made 80.2% of its attempts. Buducnost also leads the competition in free throws attempted (378) and of course, made (303). Only Valencia Basket has drawn more fouls than Buducnost (378). It is safe to say that by being aggressive on offense and accurate at the foul line, Buducnost has managed to advance past the regular season without any trouble.

Naturally, some of the best free-throw shooters in the EuroCup this season play for Buducnost. Petar Popovic is perfect from the foul line in 25 attempts. Justin Cobbs has buried 104 of 118 free throws (88.1% FT) so far, D.J. Seeley is 51 for 59 attempts (86.4% FT) and Vladimir Micov has made 32 of 37 attempts (86.5% FT). If Andorra needs to foul in the final minutes, Buducnost shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Vladimir Micov Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season highlights Vladimir Micov

### Andorra, kings of clutch

If it is a close game, Buducnost should have an advantage from the free-throw line. Andorra, however, has not lost a close game in the EuroCup this season. Andorra is 4-0 in games decided by 6 points or less and 6-8 in other games. In its four previous EuroCup seasons, Andorra was 4-8 in games decided by that margin. It won as many close games this season as in the four previous campaigns combined, which speaks volumes about Andorra's focus and determination in crunch time.

Andorra edged Partizan NIS Belgrade 61-60 in Round 2, allowing just 2 points in the final 3 minutes. It also beat Lietkabelis Panevezys 81-76, holding off the guests' fourth-quarter comeback. Andorra bested Joventut Badalona 72-71 in Round 14 by rallying from a 61-68 deficit. In Round 18, Andorra topped Slask Wroclaw 91-95 to clinch the home-court advantage in the eighthfinals. Babatunde Olumuyiwa sealed the outcome from the foul line.

### Micov knows what it takes

There is only one player in this series who knows how it feels to win the EuroCup title and that's Vladimir Micov of Buducnost. Micov captured the EuroCup crown with Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul in 2016, playing a main role in the team: he was chosen to the 2015-16 All-EuroCup First Team after averaging 12.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 24 games.

Micov averaged 17.0 points in the two-game quarterfinals series against FC Bayern Munich, which Galatasaray won on an aggregate, 161-158. Micov scored 21 points in the second leg of the semifinals against Gran Canaria and had the series-clinching blocked shot at the buzzer. And he averaged 12.0 points and a PIR of 15.5 in the finals against Strasbourg. Six years later, Micov is trying to go all the way again.

Codi Miller-Mcintyre Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season highlights Codi Miller-McIntyre Andorra

### It's Miller-McIntyre time

Few players have been more consistent than Codi Miller-McIntyre of MoraBanc Andorra over the last four EuroCup seasons. In 48 games in that game, Miller-McIntyre has averaged 12.5 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals for Zenit St Petersburg, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Partizan NIS Belgrade and Andorra. He leads Andorra in scoring (13.6 ppg.), did the same with Cedevita in the 2019-20 season (15.2 ppg.) and was Partizan's second-best scorer (13.1 ppg.) in the 2020-21 campaign.

Miller-McIntyre, however, has not played a EuroCup game past the group stages. In its first EuroCup appearance, Zenit did not get past the Top 16. In the 2019-20 campaign, Miller-McIntyre and Cedevita were eliminated in the regular season with a 4-6 record. Miller-McIntyre returned to the Top 16 with Partizan, but the team did advance from its group. Now, "The Wolf" is closer than he ever has been to the EuroCup title.

Breakdown: MoraBanc Andorra vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

MoraBanc Andorra v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2022-04-19T18:45:00.000Z)

In a one-game, do-or-die playoff, anything can happen, but some season-long statistical trends may offer clues to the possible story lines when Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana hosts Turk Telekom Ankara in their 7DAYS EuroCup Eighthfinals winner-take-all battle.

Eighthfinals clues: Cedevita vs. Turk Telekom

Cedevita enters the elimination rounds as the EuroCup's hottest team by a comfortable margin after having won eight straight games. Over that stretch, its scorers have put on an offensive explosion, averaging 1.12 points per possession. No other team scored more than 1.02 points per possession across the entire regular season. 

Yogi Ferrell, Jaka Blazic, Jacob Pullen, Zoran Dragic Top Plays from 01/20/2022 to 04/13/2022

Blazic Dragic Ferrell and Pullen filled Cedevita's win streak

Yogi Ferrell, Jaka Blazic, Jacob Pullen and Zoran Dragic are all playing exceptionally well for Cedevita over the last two months. To position itself for an upset victory, Turk Telekom will need to find answers on defense, guarding all four well in one-on-one and pick-and-roll situations.

Turk Telekom's strength defensively has been on the interior, where the team has held opponents to the lowest two-point efficiency in the competition while Octavius Ellis leads all EuroCup shot-blockers and JaJuan Johnson ranks fifth.

However, Turk Telekom has struggled with a 2-6 record on the road, and on this occasion, will need its guards to rise to the occasion defensively, as well. Slowing down Cedevita's offensive juggernaut will require an across-the-board effort.

Octavius Ellis, Jajuan Johnson Top Blocks, Steals of the 2021-22 Regular Season

Turk Telekom's shot-swatters Ellis and Johnson

Eighthfinals clues: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Turk Telekom Ankara

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Turk Telekom Ankara (2022-04-19T17:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana celebrates (photo Ales Ferves - Cedevita) - EC21-RS17

Here is where you can watch the Eighthfinals game between Gran Canaria and Slask Wroclaw.

TV Info,  Gran Canaria vs. Slask

**France:** MCS

**In-Flight Vision:** IMG ARENA

**Italy:** ELEVEN SPORTS

**Internet:** [EUROLEAGUE.TV](http://EUROLEAGUE.TV)

**Poland:** POLSAT SPORT EXTRA

**Slovenia:** SPORT TV1 (delayed)

**Spain:** DAZN

TV Info,  Virtus vs. Lietkabelis

**Balcans:** SPORTKLUB 7

**Bulgaria:** MAX SPORT 2

**France:** MCS

**Georgia:** SILK SPORT 2

**In-Flight Vision:** IMG ARENA

**Italy:** SKY SPORT ARENA and ELEVEN SPORTS

**Internet:** [EUROLEAGUE.TV](http://EUROLEAGUE.TV)

**Lithuania:** LRT PLUS

**Slovenia:** SPORT TV2

**Spain:** DAZN

**Turkey:** S SPORT & S SPORT PLUS

Tornike Shengelia - Virtus Segafredo Bologna (photo Alexia Graziani - Bourg) - EC21-RS18

Here is where you can watch the Eighthfinals game between Valencia Basket and Hamburg Towers.

TV Info,  Valencia vs. Hamburg

**Germany:** MAGENTA SPORTS

**In-Flight Vision:** IMG ARENA

**Italy:** ELEVEN SPORTS

**Internet:** [EUROLEAGUE.TV](http://EUROLEAGUE.TV)

**Slovenia:** SPORT TV3

**Spain:** DAZN & DAZN3

Martin Hermannsson - Valencia Basket (photo Miguel Angel Polo - Valencia) - EC21-RS18