The expert coach Gennaro Di Carlo (ex Mantova) won early salvation, despite a season troubled by various physical problems, and a roster that “settled” during the season, shoring it up with targeted grafts, to form a solid quintet and talented for the category, well balanced between the danger of long shots and from the perimeter (where the two foreigners manage many balls). Many points in the hands, as evidenced by the often high team scores. The goal of the play-offs, at this point, appears well within reach. Here are the singles. The point guard is the talented USA Russ Smith (1991), 2013 NCAA champion with Louisville Cardinals and some NBA parentheses with New Orleans and Memphis Grizzlies, followed by the championships in China and Puerto Rico, as well as the prestigious Turkish experience with Galatasaray. He builds a lot, for himself and for his teammates, from 1v1 by attacking the iron thanks to undoubted athletic skills and a first step from a superior category. At the same time, he manages the rhythm of the game and is also dangerous from 6.75. Business suit. His numbers: 23.1 points, 6.7 fouls suffered, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. From the field he shoots with a good 53% from two and 32% from three (out of 7 conclusions per match). Many responsibilities for him (16 average attempts from the field) and, consequently, a few too many losses (3.4 per match). Often in the line (83%), due to his ability to take a foul. Big shot. Guard Marco Ceron has been sidelined since November due to injury, having played just 6 games averaging 13 points (with 38% from three). Another top-level athlete, the 1997 Serbian guard Vojislav Stojanovic who played a lot of A, first in the three-year period with Orlandina, then in the two-year period with Cremona. Always with Di Carlo in the recent experience in Mantova, he is an offensive point of reference player, by virtue of a certain confidence with the basket. He mainly loves playing in the open field, and throwing himself in attacking the iron, given his considerable physical strength. It is no coincidence that he suffers many fouls, captures several rebounds for the role and, in addition, builds the game by closing the scoresheet with several assists. On the other hand, a few losses too many (2.6 per match) and certainly not on fire from distance (26% from three). His numbers: 16.4 points (49% from two), 3.7 fouls received, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists at a time. Bad from the line, with 65%. Also on the perimeter is the 28-year-old Lorenzo Baldasso, ex Trieste guard (SuperCoppa LNP and promotion to Serie A), Jesi, Imola, Latina and EBK Roma. He proved to be at his level, reaching double digits on average (8.9 points on average). Specialist in shooting from distance (37% from three out of almost 6 conclusions from the field), which he uses with a clear prevalence, on the other hand he is not inclined to throw himself inside. Thus the box of fouls suffered and trips to the line is often empty. Perimeter. Under the basket is Mitchell Poletti (1988) who for several years has been among the best big men in the entire league. He presides over the colored area with authority and is particularly fond of the “double digit”. Over the years he has completed his offensive dangerousness, greatly increasing attempts from 6.75 which give him a precious double dimension. He wrote 18.1 points on the scoresheet (51% two-pointers, 36% three-pointers on more than 4 shots per game), 5.4 fouls suffered, 7.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game, a sign that he “sees” the game well, among the others. Very present for free throwers (70)%, since the fouls suffered box is always full. With time, always better! The play guard from Rieti, Ruben Zugno (1996) has arrived in the running, whose talent is undoubted, while his confidence from beyond the arc of 6.75 is on and off (28% on 6 average attempts), a solution that he use predominantly. From average he hurts (58% from two) but, in general, it must be said that on the pitch he prefers to play for his teammates (4.3 assists on average, a specialty where he excels), despite the fact that he knows how to go it alone. For him also 11.7 pts, 5 fouls suffered and 4 rebounds per match. Quick hand in recoveries. Immediately leader (30′ of parquet) since he arrived, just 3 days. He allows Smith to play point guard, freeing him from playmaking duties. Then we find the Andrea La Torre wing (1997), ex Treviso. “Four” with well-mannered hands that he can hit with his individual technique, in particular facing the basket, and with the shot from distance (solution that he uses the most). Against smaller opponents, he can carry them back to the basket even if he doesn’t like traffic in the box that much. His regular season: 7.7 points (with excellent percentages, 59% from two and an excellent 37% from three) and 5.3 rebounds on average. Growing in the latest releases. Space also for play-guard Matteo Parravicini, ex Bergamo. He has some confidence from beyond the 6.75 mark and, at the moment, the percentages are smiling at him (42% in the season). He mostly shoots from distance. For him also 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on average, a sign that he is not just a shooter. 91% of the free riders (where he goes very little, however, due to perimeter characteristics) confirms the silk in his hands. Many minutes (over 16′) for the 1999 pivot, ex Orlandina, Andrea Donda who, with his 210 cm, is called to give substance to the painting. His considerable physical impact translates into the scoresheet with 3.4 points (49% from two) and 3.9 rebounds on average. Solid. Unlucky season for Jacopo Borra (1990), often out, who when he played, with his 215 cm., was able to provide a contribution of substance in the paint, “closing” the area and the basket to the opponents. With his rebounds he has often allowed his teammates to launch in transition. His numbers: 5.7 points (49% from below) and 5.6 rebounds. Area intimidator, always ready to block. Over the years he has put up a good shot from outside (67% from three, even on rare attempts). The play-guard, under, Samuele Baccassino and Nicolò Buscicchio only touch the rotations.
Salvatore Barraco
