EuroLeague Power Rankings: Partizan crisis, Virtus' drop and belief in Zalgiris / News - Basketnews.com

In the latest BasketNews EuroLeague Power Rankings, Zalgiris make a surge, climbing six places. Meanwhile, Real Madrid maintain the first spot, securing nearly all but one first-place vote.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis, zalgiris.lt, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic, M.Nucci - Getty Images | A.Zaikauskas/BasketNews illustration Credit Vangelis Stolis, zalgiris.lt, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic, M.Nucci - Getty Images | A.Zaikauskas/BasketNews illustration

As the 2023-24 EuroLeague regular season approaches its finale with just eight games remaining, BasketNews brings you the latest edition of the Power Rankings.

16 BasketNews staff members had a say, positioning the teams based on their current form and the potential they have in the foreseeable future.

The scoring system allocates 16 points for a 1st place vote, 15 for 2nd, 14 for 3rd, and so on.

In this update, six teams have experienced a decline, seven have climbed up, and five have maintained their previous positions.

Zalgiris have made the most significant leap, rising six places, while Virtus have suffered the most, dropping five spots compared to the previous Power Rankings edition.

18. ALBA Berlin ↔

Points: 0 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 18th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 17th-18th

ALBA, much like ASVEL, find itself without any points in this edition of the Power Rankings.

ALBA took the bottom spot due to 10 last-place votes, and this marks the fourth consecutive time this season that the German team has remained at the bottom of the scale.

ALBA got two wins -- including the one vs. ASVEL -- during their last seven EuroLeague games since the last edition, but that did not inspire our staff to change the trend.

17. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ↔

Points: 0 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 17th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 17th-18th

Following the dismissal of Gianmarco Pozzecco, ASVEL managed to secure victories against Crvena Zvezda and Bayern. However, the French team's fortunes have taken a downturn, with an active three-game losing streak in the EuroLeague.

Despite undergoing a double coaching change during the season, the unfortunate reality persists that little has changed for ASVEL. The team continues to tussle with challenges, and their current standing reaffirms their position as one of the lowest-ranked teams.

Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

16. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade ⬇

Points:26 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 13th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:12th-16th

After the latest EuroLeague defeat against Zalgiris, it's evident that Crvena Zvezda's prospects of securing a spot in the Play-In are very slim, particularly given their current form. The Serbian team has secured only two victories in their last seven matches.

The hurdles become more apparent when considering the team's heavy reliance on the creativity of Milos Teodosic. With such a dependence on the 38-year-old veteran, it becomes increasingly difficult to anticipate promising results in the long run.

15.FC Bayern Munich ↔

Points:50 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 15th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:10th-16th

During three double-round weeks in January, Bayern grabbed one win in six attempts. But they were not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Bayern improved their away form and recently clinched crucial victories in the Play-In race, triumphing in overtime against Baskonia and sealing a win against Partizan with a game-winner by Sylvain Francisco.

Winning at Stark Arena cannot be taken for granted. Bayern proved they have the mentality to fight against all odds. "We still have chances to get in Play-In positions, and we will fight until the end," coach Pablo Laso stated.

With five of their last eight games at home, including important matchups against Anadolu Efes, Valencia, and Monaco on the road, Bayern showcased in Round 26 that they possess the resilience needed for the home stretch.

By the way, Bayern are unbeaten when football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger catches their games live. So, here is a clear plan for that final Play-In push -- keep Bastian in the stands and let the magic happen on the court.

14. Anadolu Efes Istanbul⬇

Points:64 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 12th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:8th-15th

Anadolu Efes continue to fall down with each power ranking edition, sliding from the 6th spot in the pre-season ranking to the 14th in the latest edition. Recently, they became the seventh EuroLeague team to switch head coaches this season, as assistant coach Tomislav Mijatovic replaced Erdem Can.

However, the decision to bring in Mijatovic quickly reignited hopes for a Play-In berth. After suffering their worst loss of the season, a 26-point beatdown at Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 24, Anadolu Efes rebounded under new leadership, securing victories against Milan and Maccabi.

"The guys showed that we have that Efes character in us," Mijatovic said after beating Maccabi.

Here's the math: Efes are trailing behind Maccabi by two wins for that coveted 10th place, the golden ticket to the Play-In showdowns. Right now, they are rocking an 11-15 record but have the tie-break advantage against the Israeli champs.

So, against all odds, maybe there is more hope in the Efes tank than our staff feels.

13. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan⬆

Points:80 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 14th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:8th-16th

Two key players -- Nikola Mirotic and Shavon Shields -- are back in the mix, and Milan is again looking like a team with playoff potential.

The most recent proof of their resurgence? A solid victory against the league-leading Real Madrid, where Shields and Mirotic teamed up to drop 50 points out of the team's total of 81.

Sure, injuries threw some curveballs at Milan's season, but there is no time to look back.

March is on the horizon, and it is shaping up to be a decisive month for Milan. With a three-week break, it was the perfect opportunity to regroup, let those injuries fully heal, and get the team glued together for one final surge toward success.

12. Valencia Basket⬇

Points:81 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 11th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:9th-16th

Valencia's season has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, but they are holding steady with a .500 record after 26 rounds.

In this calendar year, Valencia is 4-5, and the pattern of winning one game and losing the next is still on repeat. Despite some doubts from our staff, the Spanish team is cruising at a 50% winning ratio, which should be enough to secure a spot in the Play-In zone.

The goal? Snagging 17 wins -- half of all possible victories -- to solidify their position.

And here's the best news: Brandon Davies, who picked up a left knee injury, is back. That's a game-changer for Taronjas. Davies has been a standout this season, averaging 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 12.3 PIR in the EuroLeague.

Credit Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo

11. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ⬇

Points:90 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 8th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:8th-15th

Following a tense loss against Bayern, Zeljko Obradovic openly acknowledged that his team is currently facing a crisis, a sentiment echoed by the BasketNews staff in their recent votes. Partizan experienced one of the most significant downturns in the rankings, dropping three spots.

"When you lose five [games] in a row, then it's definitely a crisis, there's no question," Obradovic noted. "It's obvious that some things are not good. I will sit down with the people from the coaching staff, so that we can see what needs to be done to improve the situation."

And the struggle is not just on the EuroLeague court. Post-Bayern, even the loyal Partizan fans let out their frustration -- whistles, boos, and some even confronting the players.

But if there is one person to put faith in, it is Zeljko. So, let's see what Obradovic and his crew cook up to get Partizan back on track.

10. Zalgiris Kaunas ⬆

Points: 105 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 16th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 7th-14th

Andrea Trinchieri, the maestro behind bringing Italo Disco vibes to Kaunas, is making sure the party does not stop, especially when it comes to those post-season dreams.

Zalgiris are on a roll, clinching four victories in their last five games, including three statement Ws in a row. They have pumped up their record to 11-15, just a mere two wins shy of locking in a spot for the Play-In.

"I had a total of eight practices with the team so far, so I cannot say what we can do, but I can say that the team is following me," Trinchieri pointed out after the latest win at Zvezda.

In the midst of Zalgiris' current three-game winning streak, Laurynas Birutis has emerged as the X-Factor, averaging 14.0 points, along with 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 17.7 PIR. Keenan Evans is a usual suspect, posting 20.6 points per game over his last five EuroLeague appearances.

Doing some theoretical math, Zalgiris need six more wins in the last eight rounds to punch that Play-In ticket. Sounds like a challenge, but with the current form and confidence, impossible is just a word in the dictionary for the green-and-white team.

9.Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv ↔

Points:114 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 9th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:8th-13th

Despite currently enduring a three-game losing streak, Maccabi maintain ninth spot in the rankings.

It is impossible to know which Maccabi we will see on the court: one day, they are comfortably taking down Panathinaikos, and the next, they are catching a 35-point beatdown from Fenerbahce.

Maccabi are dealing with some serious force majeure conditions due to the ongoing war situation. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the tournament could potentially return to the country.

Amidst the chaos, Maccabi got a silver lining -- they still hold everything in their hands, and having control of your own destiny is a privilege.

8. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ⬆

Points: 140 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 10th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 6th-12th

Dusko Ivanovic kicked off his fourth stint with a sweet 7-1 record. But the Basque squad hit a bit of a speed bump since then.

However, Markus Howard keeps dropping buckets, averaging 23.7 points in the last three games. But he is not the lone wolf there. A guy with the nickname "The Wolf" pulled off some epic moves for the Basques in their last EuroLeague showdown this month.

Codi Miller-McIntyre, another Baskonia guard gem, had a remarkable night against ASVEL, achieving 20 assists and breaking the EuroLeague's all-time single-game record of 19. Not only did the 29-year-old display exceptional playmaking skills, but he also recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds, securing just the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

"Yeah, I am excited I got it. But my teammates really helped me. They told me to keep going when I got tired. Thank you to them," Miller-McIntyre said.

So, bottom line -- Baskonia appear to be a well-balanced team, holding a two-win cushion from the 11th place.

7. Virtus Segafredo Bologna ⬇

Points:152 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 2nd Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:2nd-16th

Monaco recently put an end to Virtus' impressive 11-game unbeaten home run, sounding a warning for this season's EuroLeague surprise team.

And Virtus are not just dealing with that home loss; they have stumbled in five out of the last seven games. That cozy second spot they once owned feels like a distant memory now. The Italians are back in a fight for their playoff lives, currently sitting in fifth place with a four-win cushion over 11th-seed Partizan.

Despite this, Virtus experienced a significant drop in their Power Rankings positions compared to the last edition. Some of the BasketNews staff even express concerns about the possibility of a total collapse in the final eight rounds, speculating that Virtus may not make it to either the playoffs or the Play-In Tournament.

After an electrifying first half of the season where whispers of a Final Four appearance circulated, the hype has fizzled out, at least for the moment. Perhaps, securing a straight ticket to the playoffs would now sound like a dream scenario for the squad in Bologna.

6. Olympiacos Piraeus ⬆

Points: 160 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 7th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 5th-13th

Olympiacos just cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries. The latest casualty is Nikola Milutinov, who had to undergo surgery for a broken bone in his left foot and is expected to be sidelined until early March.

Despite his absence, Olympiacos are on a three-game winning streak, showing that they are more than meets the eye. This three-week break should have given Milutinov the time he needed to recover and make a comeback to the court.

Overall, with the likes of improving players Ignas Brazdeikis and Filip Petrusev, along with the energy injection from newcomer Moses Wright, Olympiacos seem to be gearing up for something big. The timing could not be better -- hitting their peak in the final stretch of the season could be a game-changer.

5. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ⬇

Points:195 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 4th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:3rd-6th

Sarunas Jasikevicius kicked off his tenure in Istanbul with a bang, getting nine wins out of 11 games. However, the recent hiccups against direct rivals Panathinaikos and Monaco cost Fenerbahce a spot in the latest Power Rankings.

Yes, there were some injury hurdles with key forwards Nigel Hayes-Davis and Dyshawn Pierre, but the first one is back on his feet, and Pierre is expected to return after the break. Plus, Fenerbahce added depth with the signing of Amine Noua.

Now, the big question is whether Saras' magic can keep the momentum going. As Tyler Dorsey said, "March is going to be a big month."

Securing that home-court advantage seems to be the top goal for Fenerbahce.

4. AS Monaco ⬆

Points: 217 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 6th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 1st-5th

Monaco is the hottest EuroLeague team right now, securing victory in their last five games, including a 24-point statement win against Real Madrid.

The Roca Team simply lacked consistency throughout the season, as they had failed to win more than two games in a row since October. However, a game-changer was Jordan Loyd's return from injuries. He poured in a season-high 24 points vs. Virtus.

"He was a piece of the puzzle we needed," coach Sasa Obradovic said of Loyd. "The court is different; it gets bigger, and other guys get involved more. He is a crunch player who can decide the game in any situation, and our inconsistent results this season were directly connected to missing him."

Another factor to consider is stepping up on the defensive end: "We are a different team now than we were even a month ago as we've raised the level of our defense," Obradovic added.

With that being said, and Mike James playing the best season in his career efficiency-wise, Monaco start to look scary to anyone. They even received one vote for the first-place finish.

3. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ⬆

Points: 222 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 5th Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 2nd-5th

Panathinaikos are shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with, whose recent form was interrupted by a 12-point loss to Play-In chasing Zalgiris. But it is rather a small deviation than a headache for Ergin Ataman since, in the last round, PAO eased past Fenerbahce at home.

Kendrick Nunn is proving why top-tier players need minimal time to adjust to EuroLeague basketball. He has been consistently hitting double digits in the last seven games, notching up over 20 points in four of those outings.

Of course, having Kostas Sloukas on the floor consistently would be the icing on the cake, but the Greek veteran is dealing with some health issues this season. However, the depth in PAO's roster is manifest in clutch moments, allowing them to shine even without their local star.

2. FC Barcelona ⬆

Points: 225 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 3rd Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings:2nd-5th

Barcelona went through a rough patch in the challenging December stretch, but a big-time El Clasico victory turned the tide, catapulting them back into the Top 2.

Currently on a roll with a three-game winning streak, they hold a two-win advantage over Virtus, Monaco, and Panathinaikos.

On top of that, the Catalans welcome back Ricky Rubio, a 12-year NBA veteran and one of the greatest Spanish point guards in history. After navigating through mental health challenges, Rubio is nearing a return to the court.

Maybe the first EuroLeague spot is already too far, but Rubio-driven Barca feels like a very uncomfortable opponent in the playoffs.

1. Real Madrid ↔

Points: 255 Place in the previous Power Rankings: 1st Highest/lowest place received in Power Rankings: 1st-2nd

The EuroLeague seems to be living in the realm of Real Madrid this season, with Los Blancos securing all but one first-place vote.

But even in this nearly-perfect world, there are occasional hiccups. Real faced a setback, losing their last game in Milan and suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Monaco in their recent five-game stretch.

It is just the reality that maintaining peak energy and focus throughout a 34-game regular season is a tough ask. The real question lingering is whether Madrid can sustain this incredible form until the end of the season.

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.