Team Breakdown: Frutti Extra Bursaspor

One of the two opponents from Group D with whom Cedevita Olimpija hasn’t played yet is Turkish team Bursaspor. This two teams will play two games this week and both of them will be played in Turkey.

Bursaspor is a debutant in Eurocup competition. The club was founded in 2014 and it’s one of the youngest clubs in the competition but made their way from Turkish third division to Eurocup in six years.

Bursaspor is still without a win in Eurocup this season but they played only four games so far but three of them were on their homecourt and it will be a hard task for them to qualify for the Top16. They are also not in the best shape at the moment, won only 2 out of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

To make matters worse, they have some injury problems for this game too with some reports saying that Malik Newman, Metin Turen and Maxim Mutaf are out for today’s match. But even without them they still have a decent roster and enough depth so it won’t be an easy task for Cedevita Olimpija.

Last 6 games from Frutti Extra Bursaspor in all competitions:

17/10: at Petkim Spor 80–106
Top scorers: Ilyasoglu 18 (7 assists), Arslan 13, Newman and Batuk 9

21/10: vs Gran Canaria 76–94
Top scorers: Savas 14, Ilyasoglu 13, Kadji 12, Turen and Munford 10

24/10: vs Tofas 83–70
Top scorers: Newman 27, Mutaf 14, Savas 11, Munford 8

31/10: at Darussafaka 75–78
Top scorers: Mutaf 21, Newman 16, Munford 13, Savas 11

4/11: at Dolomiti Energia Trento 80–89
Top scorers: Savas 21 (11 rebounds), Batuk 15, Turen 14 (9 rebounds), Kadji 9

7/11: vs Turk Telekom 107–108
Top scorers: Kadji 34, Munford 31, Savas 13, Turen 8

OFFENSE

• One of the most efficient offenses in the competition, scoring 101.9 points per 100 possesions
• Except Ogus Savas, all their players can shoot from distance
• Good shooting team — 47.2 % of their field goal attempts are coming from three point shots
• Kenny Kadji and Metin Turen like to stretch the floor. Kadji has also good interior game and is efficient in post up situations
• Xavier Munford and Malik Newman are their two main scorers from backcourt and most offenses go through their hands
• A lot of drive & kick game, usually Munford and Ilyasoglou the players who are penetrating
• They like to run in transition and are dangerous in transition
• They don’t grab many offensive rebounds

DEFENSE

• Statistically the worst defense in the competition, allowing 109.5 points per 100 possessions (Cedevita Olimpija has the best defensive rating — allowing 81.2 points per 100 possessions)
• Bad rim protection, allowing too many easy points around the rim
• They like to play zone defense for some minutes every game — pretty bad communication and rotations in zone defense
• Bad off ball defense and rotations, lack of communication

ROSTER

#1 Omercan Ilyasoglou (PG | 195 cm | ‘01)

One of the most talented Turkish point guards. Very good pick & roll player, has good size for a point guard and can see above defense. Good court vision and passer, has high basketball IQ and makes good reads. Can play good on defensive end too.

#3 Tevfik Akdamar (SF | 200 cm | ‘94)

Minor role in this team. Solid size and shooter, can play good in defense too.

#5 Xavier Munford (PG | 193 cm | ‘92)

One of their main players. More dangerous with the ball in his hands than in off ball situations. Good athlete, pretty quick and likes to push forward. In offense can attack the rim with drives and is a great around the rim finisher. Also a decent shooter from distance, likes to take off the dribble mid range shots too.

#7 Perry Jones (PF/C | 211 cm | ‘91)

Stretch big and like to stretch the floor. Doesn’t have the biggest offensive role in the team but teams shouldn’t underestimate him as a shooter. Also can attack bigs with drives if they are closing out to aggressive.

#8 Birkan Batuk (SG | 196 cm | ‘90)

3 & D player. Plays good on ball defense in perimeter while in offense playing mostly off ball and waiting for an open three point shots.

#10 Ender Arslan (PG | 188 cm | ‘83)

Experienced guard. Played for Olimpija in 2006/07 season. Not the most consistent shooter but on a good day, he can make three point shots. Solid court vision and passer.

#14 Malik Newman (SG | 191 cm | ‘97)

Their main offensive player with high upside. Could be an interesting player for better teams in Europe. Great and versatile scorer. Can get to the rim easily and also a great shooter from distance. Best defined as a volume scorer and a player you need to guard closely all game long.

#21 Oguz Savas (C | 213 cm | ‘87)

Experienced big. Good feel for game, also a good passer and court vision for his position. Only player in the team that is way more effective inside the paint than outside. Old school big, with good low post game, solid in pick & roll offense and is pretty efficient finisher around the rim.

#23 Maxim Mutaf (SG | 193 cm | ‘91)

Good defender on perimeter with minor offensive role. Plays good off the ball and is a good spot up shooter. Can attack the rim with drives too.

#35 Kenny Kadji (PF/C | 211 cm | ‘88)

Scoring big. Can stretch the floor and is very good in pick & pop situations while also has a great feel in post ups situations. Has great length and can grab some rebounds too. Not the best defensive player, usually late on closeouts while also leaving too much space on pick & rolls — to the roller and to the ball handler.

#77 Metin Turen (F | 207 cm | ‘94)

Having a great season so far. Efficient as a shooter from distance while also capable of putting the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Moves good without the ball and has good instincts for cuts. Not the best defender on perimeter, his gravity point is too high and also makes poor reads.

#99 Daniel Hamilton (SF/PG | 201 cm | ‘95)

Point forward role. Versatile in offense in defense and can play positions 1 to 3. Good defender, can put pressure on ball handler and usually defending best offensive players. On the offensive side, he is more dangerous with drives than as a shooter.

KEYS FOR CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA’S WIN

• Cut Xavier Munford off: his role in offense as a creator is big in this team, especially if Newman will be out today. He will have the ball in his hands most of the time, attack with drives and Olimpija should not give him much space to breath.
• Pick & pop with Kenny Kadji: this is also an important piece of Bursaspor’s offense. Kadji is a versatile scorer but operates mostly behind the three point line. Proved himself as a good shooter from distance in last years and shouldn’t get many open three point shots.
• Rebound: Bursaspor is one of the worst rebounding teams in this group and Olimpija should activelly go for offensive rebounds while also dominate the glass on the defensive end.
• Attack on pick & rolls: Kadji and Savas as their big men in pick & roll defense leave too much space for the ball handler and he should get to the rim and attack them as much as possible.
• Don’t leave them open behind the three point line: they take many three point shots and are pretty efficient as three point shooters. Except Savas all of them can shoot and Olimpija should guard them closely.
• Control the pace: Bursaspor likes to push the pace and look for easy points in transition. Their half court offense is too static and Olimpija has better chances here in a slower game.