In different ways, three 7DAYS EuroCup's teams are holding their opponents to less than 55% shooting around the rim this season.
Stats review: Elite rim protection
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High-Gravity Matchups
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana scored perhaps the most important victory of Round 15 by beating Virtus Segafredo Bologna on road to pull even with them to take over fourth place in the Group B standings. Building a lead midway through the first quarter and never looking back, the visitors blocked just one shot, but nonetheless held the hosts to only 44.0% shooting in finishing situations within half-court sets – well below Virtus's impressive 66% standard for the season.
Rim Protection
While Cedevita's defenders faced more shots than they normally do inside, the way they held their own around the rim was key to the victory.
This was nothing new for Cedevita, which has been one of three teams ahead of the curve in terms of rim protection in the EuroCup this season. Slask Wroclaw, Joventut Badalona and Cedevita have all done an impressive job protecting the paint, holding opposing teams to roughly 53% shooting at a short distance from the rim. With 10 teams other allowing 60% shooting or better in the same vicinity, their ability to consistently stop inside shooters represents a significant advantage over the average defense.
While all three of those teams have similar levels of success stopping such inside shots, their paths to get there have been quite different. Whether making driving anges tougher with physical defense, rotating quickly to disrupt someone's roll toward the basket, or outright blocking a dunk, there are many ways for teams to impact shots around the rim. Slask Wroclaw may have just three wins this season, but its half-court defense remains a major bright spot. Not only have Slask's defenders done a terrific job contesting shots inside, but they have limited direct passes to the rim consistently. As a result, Slask's opponents take a EuroCup-low 27.4% of their shots in half-court situations around the rim. By challenging opposing ball-handlers to beat them to the rim off the dribble, Slask's defenders have presented a unique test for opponents even without blocking an especially high volume of shots.
Joventut, in contrast, has faced more shots around the rim than any other EuroCup team, but ranks second in blocks per game. The Group A leaders have great size and depth inside, which presents a different challenge for opposing offenses. Joventut gives up little to opposing guards around the rim and makes it very difficult for opposing teams to rebound their misses.
Cedevita Olimpija ranks second-to-last in blocked shots per game and does not limit catch-and-finish opportunities around the rim but contests the ones they do allow at a very high level while giving up few drives to the basket. In the win over Virtus, Cedevita had some issues early, but made adjustments and came on strong defensively after the first quarter.
Looking Ahead to Round 16
Slask will face perhaps their biggest test of the season in Round 16 as they welcome Partizan NIS Belgrade – the EuroCup's most efficient interior scoring team – to Centennial Hall. Slask took the current second-place team in Group A to the wire on the road at Stark Arena back in Round 7 thanks to a strong defensive effort, and will get the chance to earn a measure of revenge for that two-point defeat this week.