Check out the Game 1 predictions from EuroCupbasketball.com staff members.
Semifinals predictions: Game 1, Bourg vs. Besiktas
Makale
4 Dk okuma
The best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals feature an intriguing showdown between Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul.
Bourg will find a way in opener
by Igor Petrinovic
In the quarterfinals, Bourg showed why it won its regular season group, dismissing dangerous Prometey Slobozhanske thanks to a 34-13 third quarter. Not many view Bourg as a team that runs all over you, but that's just what happened that third quarter, and Prometey was not the first team this season to experience how solid and well-coached Bourg is by Frederic Fauthoux. Of course, Besiktas has a strong bench presence in Dusan Alimpijevic, and is super-confident after knocking out the defending champs Dreamland Gran Canaria and then Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv on the road. But, I think Bourg will take the first game of this series. My pick: Bourg.
Bourg by a whisker in Game 1
by Frank Lawlor
You have to admire Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic's 2-3 road record in EuroCup elimination games, but I predicted an all-French final series before the postseason started, and Bourg essentially has to win Game 1 for that to happen. Resilience is the word for what Bourg has shown this season, as opposed to last, and the hosts will need all of that and more to withstand a resourceful Besiktas team with veteran grit. Zaccharie Risacher should be back on his game after a tough quarterfinal and that should be enough to give Bourg all the weapons it needs on Tuesday. My pick: Bourg.
Besiktas will keep on charging
by Geoff Gillingham
Bourg has lost at home just once all season long, and that was a Round 18 game with nothing riding on it for Frederic Fauthoux's men. However, Besiktas has already shown in the playoffs that it is ready to turn up and spoil the party – just ask Dreamland Gran Canaria and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Besiktas boss Dusan Alimpijevic has become an expert in creating Cinderella-type stories in the EuroCup, and it seems he's on his way to writing another fairy-tale story with Besiktas, two years on from leading Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the EuroCup Finals. I think we'll see big games from Jonah Mathews, Angel Delgado and Derek Needham in a Game 1 road win. My pick: Besiktas.
Bourg will go up 1-0
by Javier Gancedo
I expect this semifinal to be the most tactical one, and the team that dictates the game tempo should probably advice to the final. Both teams have reached this level for the first time but I like Bourg's chances due to its dynamic frontcourt and great creativity at point guard. Hugo Benitez is back to his best level after the injury and Bourg should find the way to play in transition and win the game. My pick: Bourg.
Bourg will make Game 1 look easy
by Frankie Sachs
I can list many reasons to worry about Bourg. It comes off a loss in the French League. It may be outmatched in the paint by Besiktas's size and strength, etc. Bottom line: Bourg is the better team. Besiktas pulled out a near-miracle to rally from 21 down against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the quarters. Head coach Frederic Fauthoux's men should be ready. My pick: Bourg by a dozen.