It is the Italian classic in the EuroLeague: “We need consistency”

The great classic of Italian basketball is disguised as a European derby at the Unipol Forum tomorrow (tip off time is 20:30), even if both teams are returning from two painful defeats. Olimpia lost a close game in Vitoria after coming back from 11 down to tie the score several times in the fourth quarter, playing without Shavon Shields, without two centers but with an excellent Willie Caruso (6.0 points, 6.5 rebounds on average in the two games in which he has been used). Bologna lost at home against Bayern Munich, coming back from 16 down to take a late lead before surrendering down the stretch. The record is identical, one win in six game so this is a crucial crossroads for both teams.

Olimpia will have the same roster it had in Vitoria. Bologna played without three players, Devontae Cacok, Alessandro Pajola and Ante Zizic. On top of it, Daniel Hackett hurt his ankle. Olimpia returned from Vitoria on Tuesday night and prepared for the game against Bologna today, again without Coach Ettore Messina, who is still sick. In Spain, Nikola Mirotic shone in the first half; Neno Dimitrijevic in the second; Armoni Brooks was the most consistent player; Leandro Bolmaro had eight dimes. But to win in a still critical situation, both everyone’s help and better defensive stability are needed. Baskonia scored 52 points in the first half and 32 in the second quarter with seven threes that affected the game and forced Olimpia into a complicated and tiring comeback. On the other hand, considering the domestic league games, Olimpia is 3-0 when holding its opponents under 80 points; 3-6 when it didn’t. In the EuroLeague, the only wing came with Paris Basketball keeping them under the fateful 80-point threshold. We restart again from here.

REFEREES – Ilija Belosevic (Serbia), Uros Nikolic (Slovenia), Arturas Sukys (Lithuania).

ASS. COACH MARIO FIORETTI– "First of all we need to stay consistent throughout the game both defensively and offensively, something we struggled to achieve since the start of the season. Virtus is a very aggressive team especially on the perimeter and they use some strategic adjustments to limit opponent’s main offensive traits. So, the most crucial aspect on offense will be to involve each other consistently. Defensively, we need primarily to protect the paint against the several ways they have to try to get close to the rim"

BOLOGNA OUTLOOK – While the choice of the starting point guard has not always been the same for Coach Luca Banchi, Virtus is generally consistent in selecting the other four starters: Isaia Cordinier, a silver medalist with France at the last Olympics, is averaging 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, the highest numbers of his career; Will Clyburn, one of the great veterans of the competition, produces 12.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game at the small forward spot; Tornike Shengelia at power forward, playing over 30 minutes per game, brings to the table 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per outing; center Ante Zizic averages 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. In this center position, Momo Diouf is emerging with 8.4 points on 78.9 percent two-point shooting. At the point, the starter could be Daniel Hackett (doubtful for Milan), Alessandro Pajola (6.8 points and 3.2 assists), dealing with a recent back injury, and Matt Morgan (6.8 points per game with 38.9 percent three-point shooting). Marco Belinelli, off the bench, plays over 15 minutes on average (5.0 points per game); Rayjon Tucker as the guard spot and Achille Polonara as power forward are the other members of the rotation. Latvian international power forward Andrejs Grazulis hasn’t played much so far, and center Devontae Cacok has never been available.

GAME NOTES – Nikola Mirotic has made at least one three in 13 of his last 14 games played and is 10 threes away from 400 for his career. The six threes he made in Vitoria tied his high with Olimpia set last year against Real Madrid. In Olimpia’s history, ten times a player has scored six threes in a game. Mirotic is the first to do it twice. The overall record belongs to Linas Kleiza with eight (2014/15). Vlado Micov (2017/18) and Luca Vitali (2008/09) made seven. Zach LeDay is three two-pointers away from 500 in his career. Leandro Bolmaro set a new career high with eight assists in Vitoria.