EuroView: Madgen and Motum on fire as Aussies shine in Europe
It was a big week for the Aussie men across Europe, with a host of players from down under delivering big performances. None was better or more important than Ben Madgen, who lit up the German Bundesliga with an exceptional three-point shooting display, while Brock Motum, Jock Landale and Dan Dillon all enjoyed good outings for their respective clubs.
Madgen had a big night out in Germany, helping lead Crailsheim to a big 101-78 victory against Jena. In their first win of the season since gaining promotion, Madgen was on fire from deep, draining 5-of-6 three-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points. Crailsheim converted 13-of-28 from beyond the arc and never gave Jena a look in the door. Madgen would also finish with 3 rebounds and 3 assists to be the clear player of the game.
In an eventful Turkish Basketball Super League round, Anadolu Efes Istanbul took care of business against Banvit courtesy of big Brock Motum performance. Efes won every quarter in powering their way to a 86-62 win, with their Aussie stretch forward delivering a game-high 18 points with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot in 32 minutes. Efes sit atop of the league standings alongside EuroLeague club Fenerbahce Istanbul with unblemished 3-0 records.
In the Adriatic League, both Duop Reath and Jock Landale clocked up very good games, but neither was able to taste victory.
Reath chalked up one of his best pro games to date, compiling 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks for FMP in the game against Budućnost. However his side fell behind early and from there they were never able to keep up, eventually falling 59-79 in a lop-sided contest.
Partizan traveled to Slovenia to take on Krka, and they found themselves in a tough contest. Nothing separated either side throughout, but the home side edged ahead down the stretch to take an 80-76 win. Landale impressed with 12 points (4-6 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in 24 minutes off the bench. His side is now 2-2 - like Reath's - to open the season.
Earlier in the week, Partizan faced Spanish side Valencia on the road in the EuroCup. Landale was quieter offensively, adding 4 points but with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 block in 33 minutes. A 24-14 third quarter proved their undoing however, as they went down 71-79 to unbeaten Valencia.
Jock Landale | Credit: Krka/Danilo Kesic
s.Oliver Würzburg and Xavier Cooks are still searching for their first win of the Bundesliga season following a narrow 81-85 loss to Giessen. Würzburg gave up a 12 point lead at the first break, and while they managed to reel in the deficit to tie the scores up at half time, Giessen lifted down the stretch to register a 4 point result. Cooks played 21 minutes for 2 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocked shots in a solid outing. The 6'8 forward attempted just three field goal attempts and scored both his points from the free throw line.
However in their earlier FIBA Europe Cup contest against Oradea, Cooks would deliver 10 points and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench to help his side to an 82-69 win. It was a balanced scoring attack that got the job done, with 6 Würzburg players scoring in double figures, led by former Sydney King Perry Ellis' 14 points.
In the Basketball Champions League, William McDowell-White was called up to Brose Bamburg from their feeder team Baunach. The young guard played just over 4 minutes in which he registered 2 rebounds as his side logged a solid 73-64 win over French side Dijon.
Back in Germany, William McDowell-White was sent back to Baunach in the German Pro A. In their 85-58 thrashing of last-placed Hanau, the Queenslander logged just 11 minutes for 7 points and 4 assists in the blowout win, as his services were not required. His side boasts a 3-2 record after the opening 5 games, but he will be looking to be recalled to Brose Bamburg's team sooner rather than later.
Mangok Mathiang enjoyed an 8 point and 8 rebound outing with 2 steals and 1 block, yet Vanoli Cremona were outclassed by Cantù who just had too many weapons in the Italian Serie A. Cremona were jumped out of the blocks, and never recovered despite Mathiang's 21 minutes on court, going down 79-96. The score was made more respectable, with Cantù clearing the bench in the final term, allowing Cremona to claw back the margin somewhat. It was just their first loss of the season, currently boasting a 2-1 record.
Daniel Dillon continued to wind back the clock courtsy of a 22 point effort for Paris in the French Pro B. The veteran guard went 9-14 from the field with 4 rebounds and 5 assists, but his lone hand was not enough to help prevent his side falling 74-85 to Vichy-Clermont. Paris shot just 19% from beyond the three-point arc, and were out-hustled in the paint.
Also in the French second division, Chima Moneke saw little time off the bench as Rouen went down to Denain by just 2 points in a close one. Moneke played just 11 minutes for 3 points (1-1 3PT) and 1 rebound, and had little opportunity to influence the result.
In Switzerland, Matur Maker came off the bench for Union Neuchâtel for a quick fire 10 points (4-6 FG) with 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 11 minutes. His cameo helped his side to a strong second half, ensuring Neuchâtel would pull away for a 73-60 win.
Obi Kyei managed just 5 points and 6 rebounds for Forca Lleida in their 69-58 victory over Cacares in the Spanish second division. Having trailed for most of the first half, Forca Lleida unleashed a 16-8 final quarter burst to put away their opponents. The solid win pushed them up into second place in the standings with a 3-1 record.