Euroleague 2007-2008 - Montepaschi Siena - The Preview

Author : Dario Marra from Basketcentral

Overall Record Prediction : 8-6 - Quarter Finals

The italian champions are ready to make their come-back in the european competition after one year of absence and they want to improve the poor result of two years ago…

Siena looks like the fourth team in the group, behind three European powerhouses as CSKA, TAU Vitoria and Olympiakos. The Italian team will have to fight to get a place in the top 16, but the Italian league is showing a team very dangerous, capable of winning 36 of the last 38 games. A very impressive record that shows how good was the job of the young coach Simone Pianigiani in finding a great team chemistry.

On the court Montepaschi has always different players stepping up: Rimantas Kaukenas, coming off the bench, is a very dangerous scorer (16 ppg last year) even at international level ; Terrel McIntyre leads the team in assists (4.3 in 06/07) and is very good in 3 point shot (40% in 06/07), while former San Antonio Spurs Romain Sato and Benjamin Eze can add athletism on both ends of the court. The roster is completed by many players of international level such as Bootsy Thornton, Shaun Stonerook, Vlado Ilievski and Lithuanian center Krystof Lavrinovic.

A great group that wants to surprise all Europe, after dominating the Italian league : the first goal will be the top 16, but Siena could even get in the elite 8, especially if the incoming players like Thornton, Ilievski and Lavrinovic are able to give a good contribution.

Final 4 Predictions : Cska, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, Real Madrid

Winner: Cska