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Grimau: If they can shoot in the first second, they do not wait for the next one

The Basks are coming to Sicily a bit shaken after losing against Fuenlabrada in a game in which they led by 15 points. Sassari had another great offensive game against defensively potent Cantu

After a bad game against Bologna in domestic league, Sassari went to unpleasant road game against Oldenburg. Probably no one expect such an offensive hurricane as Italians showed - 33 points in the first quarter, +25 at the half and a final score of 96-77 for completely restoration of self-confidence. They scored 14 three pointers in 26 attempts that game. Caleb, Green and Drake Diener each scored four three pointers.

Coach Sacchetti did not give up on his starting five T. Diener - Devecchi - Thomas - C. Green - Johnson in the second rounds against Cantu. Diener again started on the bench and he had a great game with 31 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 28 minutes on the court. But, lets start from the top. That was not their classic run'n'gun basketball.

Cantu managed to slow them down, all quarters were under 40 points and the game was close for the first three periods. Then Sassari exploded and scored 32 points for a final score of 83-69. Drake scored 18 points in the final quarter alone with 6/6 from the field and 4/4 from the free throw line. All starters apart from Devecchio scored 10 or 11 points and they had more rebounds and less mistakes than Cantu.

- We had many ups and downs. Cantu started the game good, but they failed to create a significant lead. Our rotation capabilities allowed us to have fresh Drake Diener and he took the game into his hands - said coach Saccheti, while Dieder added:

- We won because of our great defense. If the coach wants me to start on the bench, it is my responsibility to be ready to play. We have to win at home in all games.

The only bad news was that Devecchi got injured (strained muscle) and Drake Diener will probably start the game.

The Basks did not have great start of the season. They lost against Real, lost at home against Zaragoza and then they struggled against Cedevita but managed to win in the end and then they received a blow in Madrid suburbs where they lost against Fuenlabrada. They had 15 point lead at the start of the final quarter and they conceded 31 points in the last 10 minutes and lost 75-72. Raul Lopez missed some key open shots and coach Pueye decided his team should make a foul at the score 72-72. Panko scored both free throws and after a time-out coach Pueye decided to send his five shooters (including center Gabriela who is a great shooter) on the court and then his team failed to inbound the ball.

- I like staying positive and look at the good things. When you do not win, you get concerned but I prefer to look at things optimistically. The glass is always half full and wins will come. Sometimes things do not go as you have planned, but you have to keep trying after you fail. Our performance curve, despite our win, is rising - said Roger Grimau, one of the veterans.

Sessari is a team that shoot a lot, they score a lot but they also miss a lot. They play on high numbers and if they can shoot in the first second they will not wait for the next one.

Against Fuenlabrada their shooting guard Bertans returned, but coach decided to start the game without him and Polepic and opted for Lopez and Grimau and Mumbru with Hervelle and Kavaliauskas in the frontcourt. Today he will need shorter and mobile starting five because Italians are fast and upleasant team, especially at home.

- Sessari are the most offensive team in our group and they will make us struggle defensively. They have good perimeter players, they run a lot and shoot a lot so we can not lose our focus - added Lopez.

Bilbao are a team that struggles defensively, but they are offensively potent and I would say they have more tactical discipline to play against such opponents as Sassari. But, no matter what we can expect to see attractive game.

The Basks will only miss their forward player Zoran Vrkic.

Bilbao are just too underestimated here, and I simply can't see why. Granted, Sassari are a tough side when playing at home, and their style of play is not that common in European competitions. However, if someone can match their fast paced rhythm, then it's teams from Spain. The ACB league has the highest tempo in Europe. Just last season in the Eurocup Sassari lost at home to Orleans and Zvezda, and beat a youthful Cajasol side by three points. Bilbao have had a bad start to the season, but they still found themselves in an excellent position at Fuenlabrada last weekend, only to throw away a 15 point lead in the last quarter. That certainly had an influence on these odds. The Italian side don't have a player that can defend against Mumbrú, and they don't have an answer for center Gabriel, who can even score 3-4 three pointers per game. The question is will the Italians find a way to deal with the energetic Hervelle, while in López and possibly even Grimau the Basque team have players that can cause problems for Dienere, who certainly won't score 18 points in a single quarter like he did last weekend against Cantu. If it wasn't for his contribution, it's hard to say if his team would have won that game.