Tough away game in Ulm for another important win in 7DAYS EuroCup

Ratiopharm Ulm had won back-to-back games before falling in Venice last week and now will try to get back on track at home against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, which comes off a big win over Frutti Extra Bursaspor. When these teams met in Round 4, Ulm outlasted Cedevita Olimpija 96-101 after two overtimes.

Taking care of the ball is certain to be a priority for these teams and with good reason. Ulm has committed the second-fewest turnovers in the EuroCup this season with 15.6 per game. The only team with more turnovers is Cedevita Olimpija (16.4 per game). Each turnover has the potential to be a triple whammy as it not only means the end of a possession and sometimes an easy basket at the other end, but they can also affect momentum. Ulm has three players in the top 10 in turnovers; Sindarius Thornwell leads the competition with 3.1, Semaj Christon is tied for second with 3.0 and Cristiano Felicio is sixth with 2.8.

Cedevita Olimpija’s biggest offender is Jaka Blazic with 2.5 per game, though Zoran Dragic (4.3) and Yogi Ferrell (3.0) would also appear among the leaders if they had played enough games.

Cedevita Olimpija is a team with several no-nonsense rebounders, including Alen Omic, Melvin Ejim, Zach Auguste and Edo Muric, however, it has only outrebounded opponents by 0.9 boards per game this season. That has changed with Omic in the lineup; Cedevita has won the battle of the boards in four of its last five games and has outrebounded opponents by 7.8 per game over that stretch.

Ulm has outrebounded opponents by 4.6 per game this season thanks to Felicio, Jaron Blossomgame and Thornwell, the first two of whom are third and fourth in the EuroCup with 7.8 and 7.7 rebounds per game, respectively. The battle of the boards will be one of the keys to this game.

STATEMENTS AHEAD OF THE GAME:

Jurica Golemac, head coach of Cedevita Olimpija:
“Ulm is a very disciplined team, and the list of players includes four basketball players who have already played in the NBA in their careers. The team is made up of very good players, and Ulm is having a great season, so it is definitely not an easy match ahead of us. We have to play disciplined and at the same time fast and hard in defense.”

Jaka Blažič, captain of Cedevita Olimpija:
“Tough away game awaits us. Ulm is surprising everyone with their plays this season. Our rivals have beaten big teams such as Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Budućnost VOLI. We are heading to Germany with the mindset of winning the match. I hope for the best possible outcome.”

7DAYS EUROCUP, GROUP B, ROUND 13

Ratiopharm Arena (Ulm, Germany), Wednesday, February 9, at 19.30:
RATIOPHARM ULM – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA (live stream on Euroleague TV)