The Take
A duel between classic EuroCup teams will open Group G when Buducnost VOLI Podgorica welcomes the only undefeated team in the league at this point, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar.
The visitors are also undefeated in the historic series between these two sides, 0-4. Buducnost made the Top 16 from fourth place in Group B after a tremendous start (5-5) while Loko rolled with no opposition to win Group C (10-0).
Buducnost, which had a few injury problems in the regular season, looks to Nikola Ivanovic (14.2 ppg.), together with Kyle Gibson (12.9 ppg.) and Nemanja Gordic (11.8 ppg.).
The guests’ top scorers are Joe Ragland (13.0 ppg., 5.4 apg.), Ryan Broekhoff (12.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) and Trevor Lacey (9.9 ppg.). Loko outperforms Buducnost both in offense and defense and coming into the game, so the guests look like favorites to win this one.
The difference in assists (13.4 to 20.1) and blocks (1.2 to 3.2) could be telling of what to expect, but the new start in the standings takes all the pressure off Buducnost, which is also playing at home.
Quotes
The game takes place on December 3rd at 20:45 in Podgorica, Montenegro.