Messina: Bayern is well-prepared, focus is on rebounds and defense on their shooters

Double-round week, all spent on the road, is moving to Munich, where Olimpia will face Bayern, a tough and frequent opponent over the last few seasons. Olimpia, after a recovery session in Belgrade, is coming off a big win in Serbia, the second straight road win of the season, and now aims to extend its streak against a hurting team, still winless and therefore even more dangerous. Bayern has lost twice at home, but against contending teams like Fenerbhace and Barcelona, whose combined record is 5-1 so far. In Bologna, Bayern lost after missing the potential tying field goal at the buzzer. It is a team with a core group of players (Walden, Jaramaz, Weiler-Babb, Lucic, Rubit, Hunter) and a lot of experience. So far, it has struggled at defending on the perimeter (41.0 percent allowed), while the last place in the rebounding ranking is a consequence of the low-tempo game that it privileges and reduces the number of possessions and rebounding opportunities. Olimpia has worked well defensively, with some exceptions, it is second overall for forced turnovers (16.7 on average) and fourth for points allowed despite playing one overtime. In Belgrade, Olimpia lowered the number of turnovers that affected the team in the first two outings, but Bayern’s defense is traditionally tough to face. Tip-off time is a 20:30 of Thursday, 20th October.

REFEREES – Miguel Angel Perez (Spain), Fernando Rocha (Portugal), Luka Kardum (Croatia)

COACH ETTORE MESSINA – "We are going to play on a difficult court, against a team used to defend with its great athleticism and tactical preparation. Over the last couple of games, we moved some steps up and now we intend to continue improving, well aware that controlling the boards and our one-on-one defense over their shooters will be fundamental aspects in order to try to get the win."

DEVON HALL – "Bayern is coming off a home loss and will be even more tough to defeat than it normally is, especially in its building. We will have to match their intensity, play one possession at a time, and try to keep improving step by step"

BAYERN MUNICH – Bayern made the playoffs in both the last couple of seasons, and both times lost the decisive Game 5 on the road. Coach Andrea Trinchieri retained most of the last season’s team. In fact, the returning players combined had 71.1 percent of the points, 68.6 percent of the rebounds and 82.1 percent of the assists totaled by the entire roster during last season. Among the guards, the only newcomer is Cassius Winston, a 24-year rookie who had a stellar career at Michigan State and attempted for some time to find his niche in the NBA, in Washington. Among the returning guards: Corey Walden, Zan Sisko, Ognjen Jaramaz, the National Team sharpshooter Andreas Obst, and Nick Weiler-Babb, who was slowed down during the last season by injuries but looked very efficient during the first few games (12.0 points and 3.3 assists per game). The starting small forward Vladimir Lucic is definitely the team’s cornerstone. Augustine Rubit is returning at the power forward spot. The centers are the veteran Othello Hunter, in his second season in Munich, and Freddie Gillespie, another rookie who came to Europe after a couple of years in and around the NBA. The international swingman, Isaac Bonga, coming from the Toronto Raptors, has not been used so far, like Elias Harris.

BAYERN CONNECTION –Bayern coach, Andrea Trinchieri, was born in Milan and coached for Olimpia in the youth academy and as an assistant coach. During his career, he coached Kyle Hines in Veroli, Nicolò Melli in Bamberg, Deshaun Thomas in Munich. Thomas spent his last season with Bayern, scoring 346 points over 36 appearances. Kyle Hines played next to Othello Hunter in Moscow.

THE MATCH-UP HISTORY – The two teams faced each other 14 times, seven of them during the 2020/21 season when they squared off in the playoffs. The overall record is 9-6 in Olimpia’s favor, 7-1 in Milan and 2-5 in Munich. Olimpia won both games during the 2014/15 season and lost both times during the 2018/19 season. In the 2019/20 season, Olimpia won in Milan 79-78 coming back from 13 points behind in the fourth quarter and 20 points down in the second half. Vlado Micov scored 16 points. In 2020/21 season, Olimpia won in Munich 81-78 after an overtime with a Shavon Shields’ three with nine seconds left. Kyle Hines had 16 points and went 5-for-5 from the field. In the memorable 2021 playoff series, Olimpia won Game 1, 79-78, coming back from a 19-point deficit. The winning basket was scored by Zach LeDay who converted an alley-oop pass from out of bound by Malcolm Delaney. After winning Game 2, 80-69, and losing Game 3 85-79, Olimpia lost 85-82 Game 4 when it was its turn to give up a lead in the closing seconds. Game 5 was one for the ages. Shavon Shields had a 34-point career night, Olimpia dominated before attending the furious Bayern rally in the closing seconds that was stopped by the iconic Kyle Hines block over Wade Baldwin. Seven of the 14 games played between these two teams have ended withing a 3-point margin.

GAME NOTES – Nicolò Melli is two offensive rebounds shy of 300 for his career (he is 25th all-time) and he is two defensive rebounds away from 900. He is targeting the all-time 7th place belonging to Mirsad Turkcan, who has 902 career rebounds. Melli is also four rebounds shy of 1.200 for his career, 13th ever. Melli is finally one rebound away from 500 with Olimpia in the EuroLeague. He is already 2nd all-time behind 626’s Kaleb Tarczewski. Shavon Shields has made at least one three in 11 of his last 12 appearances. Now, he is 4th all-time in Olimpia history for points scored in the EuroLeague. He’s climbed over Alessandro Gentile (825) and Antonello Riva (832). Johannes Voigtmann has just crossed the 1.000-rebound barrier in EuroLeague. Kevin Pangos has made at least on three in all of his last 31 EuroLeague games played. He has surpassed the 1.500-point scored threshold. Deshaun Thomas has just played his 200th career game. Billy Baron has made multiple threes in 12 of his last 13 EuroLeague games.