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2017 Eurocup Playoff Preview: Who gets in to Euroleague?

By Trevor Magnotti

Dec 10, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sergey Karasev (10) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the first half of their NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sergey Karasev (10) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the first half of their NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bayern Munich vs. Unicaja Malaga – The Former Euroleaguers

Game Times: Feb. 28: 2:00PM; Mar. 3: 2:45PM; Mar. 8: 2:00PM

Best Way to Follow: Youtube live streams of dubious reliability, Eurocup’s Twitter, #FCBB for Bayern fans

Bayern and Malaga have never won Eurocup, but that’s mostly due to lack of chances, as both have been Euroleague staples over the years. Both were casualties of the shift from 24 Euroleague teams to 16, however. Bayern clearly has had the better run so far, going 6-2 in the regular season and sweeping Group F. They haven’t lost since Dec. 26th, also sporting a six-game winning streak in the Bundesliga. Malaga, meanwhile, has skimmed by on .500 basketball, going 4-4 in the regular season and 3-3 in the Top 16. This will be a rematch from that regular season, as Bayern beat Malaga twice in Group C play – 74-62 on Oct. 26th, and 72-69 on Nov. 30th.

Munich’s calling card is one of the best perimeter defenses in Europe. They strangle opposing wings on the perimeter, and that’s a problem for Malaga, who doesn’t have consistent outside shooting. Malaga hit just 9-of-52 from three in the two games against Bayern, and that’s a tough problem to overcome. Nihad Dedovic, former Rocket Nick Johnson, and veteran Reggie Redding are all solid Eurocup-level defenders, and they are anchored by one of Eurocup’s best players, Max Kleber, inside. Sasa Djordevic’s squad are like the Frank Vogel Pacers – you may score on them, but they’re going to make you work for every single basket.

That’s not to say Malaga can’t make you pay. They have a decent defense too, allowing 73.8 points per game in the Top 16, and they do have some guards who can make things happen, led by former Warrior Nemanja Nedovic and former Arizona guard Kyle Fogg. But their offense can be inconsistent, especially without Nedovic at full health, as has been the case for much of the year. Given the bombastic tendencies of Fogg and Jamar Smith against the capabilities of Kleber, Devin Booker, and Maik Zirbes inside for Bayern, I side with Bayern’s offense being able to win on the margins of what should be a solid defensive battle.

Prediction: Bayern in two. Munich should be a title favorite, while Malaga hasn’t strung three quality games together since the regular season. This is probably the easiest matchup to pick.

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