Team Breakdown: Budućnost Voli Podgorica

Probably a bigger introduction isn’t needed because most of us know Budućnost very well from Adriatic League. This will be the first of at least four matches between these two teams in this season. They should play a game in Adriatic League already but because of the covid situation in Budućnost the match was postponed (twice) and now the new date is on Thursday, 21st January.

Even though a lot of problems with covid this season Budućnost is playing well in both competitions. In Eurocup they blowed out Bourg in first game of Top16 with 108–60 and also won their last match in Adriatic League vs Partizan on Saturday with 80–72. So far they are amongst the leading teams in ABA League with 10 wins and only two losses.

Probably Budućnost is the main rival for Cedevita Olimpija in the battle for the second place in the group so today’s game is very important for both teams.

Last 5 games from Budućnost Voli Podgorica in all competitions:

20/12: at Mega Soccerbet 72–78
Top scorers: Ejim 22 (9 rebounds), Ivanović (10 assists) and Cobbs 12

25/12: vs Krka 70–62
Top scorers: Della Valle 14, D. Nikolić 13, Cobbs 12

9/1: at Split 77–78
Top scorers: Cobbs 19, Mitrović and Ejim 13

12/1: vs JL Bourg 108–80
Top scorers: Ivanović 17 (7 assists), Reed 16, Della Valle 15

16/1: vs Partizan 80–72
Top scorers: Ivanović 25, Della Valle 17, Cobbs 9

OFFENSE

• Most of their points come from backcourt players (Cobbs, Ivanović and Della Valle)
• Slow paced team, playing more half court sets than transitional offense
• Most pick & rolls are finished by the ball handler
• Low AST% — more than 50 % of their points are non-assisted
• Amongst the teams in Top16 they take the least amount of three point shots per 100 possessions
• They get to the free throw line a lot — especially Ivanović
• They take a lot of mid range shots
• Danilo Nikolić and Suad Šehović dangerous spot up three point shooter
• Melvin Ejim likes to create from low post
• Can small ball with three guards in the lineup and Ejim as a power forward

DEFENSE

• Bad transition defense
• Pretty aggressive defense on perimeter
• Good rebounding team, they control the rebounding battle in the paint
• They defend pick & roll actions good as a team
• Willie Reed protects the rim well
• Melvin Ejim a versatile defender on the wing that does a lot of stuff right in defense
• Cobbs can lose focus in off-ball defense

ROSTER

#1 Justin Cobbs (G | 191 cm | ‘91)

Main motor in offense. The ball is most of the time in his hands and he is creating for others and himself. He controls the ball well and doesn’t make many mistakes. Good penetrator with aggressive first step. Good passer in all directions. Takes a lot of mid range shots and not the best and most consistent shooter behind the three point line.

#2 Nikola Ivanović (G | 191 cm | ‘94)

Go-to-guy of Budućnost. He will take the ball in his hands and take the last shot when game is on the line. Versatile scoring arsenal and especially dangerous as an off the dribble shooter behind the three point line. Has high basketball IQ, knows how to draw fouls and get to the free throw line and has good court vision and passing game too.

#3 Melvin Ejim (F | 201 cm | ‘91)

Versatile wing doing much in defense, covering all holes and helping in rebounding. Likes to create from low post in offense and uses his strong body well. Showing some good shooting touch this season too and shouldn’t be left completely open on three point shots.

#4 Suad Šehović (SF | 197 cm | ‘87)

Experienced forward operating mostly in both corners as a spot up corner shooter. Can move good around screens without the ball too. 3&D player profile.

#7 Danilo Nikolić (PF | 206 cm | ‘93)

Stretch four with high and smooth shot release. Can sometimes attack closeouts with drives and go for some dunks but most of his offensive output depends on three point shooting. Limited as defender.

#8 Dragan Apić (C | 205 cm | ‘95)

Left handed big with solid inside game and good finisher around the rim. Solid pick & roll player too, sets pretty good screens and rolls directly to the rim.

#9 Luka Mitrović (PF | 206 cm | ‘93)

High IQ forward that makes good reads. Limited offensively and bad shooter from distance. Pretty bad athlete but can play solid low post defense.

#11 Amadeo Della Valle (SG | 193 cm | ‘93)

Good scorer. Moves good without the ball and can lose his defenders quickly. Also likes to initiate contact on shots and draw some fouls. Good shooter from distance and pretty reliable free throw shooter.

#19 Zoran Nikolić (C | 212 cm | ‘96)

Inside big that protects the rim well. In offense limited to assists from other players and finishes around the rim. His legs are slow and not the best pick & roll defender.

#30 Petar Popović (G | 193 cm | ‘96)

Plays mostly as secondary or even third ball handler. Can play good in defense and hit open three point shots in offense even though not the most consistent shooter. His balance on shots should be better, most of his shots look out of balance.

#33 Willie Reed (C | 211 cm | ‘90)

Their main inside option. Solid pick & roll player and can play above the rim as alley oop target. Has a decent low post game too with soft touch. In defense he protects the rim well and contests shots around the rim.

#44 Fedor Žugić (SG/SF | 198 cm | ‘03)

One of the best prospects in the competition and I wrote about him already in the Best Prospects in Eurocup article. Great scorer with aggressive first step and never scared to take the responsibility. Not the best defender though.

KEYS FOR CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA’S WIN

• Push the ball forward: as I mentioned above, Budućnost plays bad transition defense. Perry, Blažič and Rupnik should push the ball forward as quick and possible and look for easy points in transition.
• Limit their perimeter players: most of their points are created from Cobbs, Ivanović and Della Valle. Cedevita Olimpija needs to put the most attention to this three players and limit their offensive efficiency. All are good at drawing fouls and defense needs to be smart here.
• No open looks for Šehović and Danilo Nikolić: both are great spot up three point shooters. Šehović is more dangerous from the corners while Nikolić from the top. Both should be guarded closely and there shouldn’t be any open looks for them.
• Defend the paint: Reed likes to play back to the basket, also Apić can move bodies with his strength. They have some sets for Ejim on low post too so it will be crucial to defend those players close to the rim.
• Attack D. Nikolić and Mitrović out of pick & rolls: Cedevita Olimpija should play a lot of 1–4 pick & rolls and attack those two players with drives. Their gravity point and reactions are too slow and especially Perry should take advantage of that.