AEK faces the challenge of participating in the Final Four of the Basketball Champions League and for this has made an important decision: for the first game of the quarterfinal series against Hapoel, AEK flies to Israel Jerusalem (4/4, 21: 00) on a charter flight to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to avoid.

“Union” will even give its fans the opportunity to travel with the team, it remains only to disclose the cost, which will be done through an announcement. This is the second time AEK have arrived on a charter flight this season, having done so in their away game against Limoges in the Round of 16.

It is recalled that the schedule of the series with Hapoel for the round of 16 (with qualification being judged by 2 wins) is as follows:
April 4: Hapoel Jerusalem – AEK (21:00)
April 12: AEK – Hapoel Jerusalem (19:30)
April 19: Hapoel Jerusalem – AEK (19:00)*
*If needed

After learning their opponent in the BCL Quarterfinals, AEK were also briefed on the schedule of games against Hapoel Jerusalem during Friday’s draw.

As published on the organization’s website, Union will play in Israel on Tuesday April 4 (9:00 p.m.) and host Hapoel on Maundy Wednesday April 12 (7:30 p.m.).

Should the series go into a third game as two wins are required to qualify for the Final Four, the final four will be played on Easter Wednesday, April 19 at 19:00 in Jerusalem as opponents AEK are home.

Hapoel Jerusalem is the team that falls in between AEK and its Final Four Basketball Champions LeagueBecause it is the opponent of “Enos” in the quarterfinals of the competition.

The Israelis reached the quarterfinals with a 10-2 aggregate record in the last two rounds (5-1 in the group stage and round of 16), finishing first in their group on both occasions.

51-year-old Aleksandar Djikic is the coach of the Israelis, who are currently 4th in the Israeli league with a record of 13-6, ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv (17-3), Hapoel Tel Aviv (16-4) ) and Hapoel Holon (14-7).

In the Basketball Champions League, Zach Hankins is the top scorer and rebounder with 15.5 points and an 8.8 rebound average, followed by Levi Randolg (13.3 points), Kadeem Carrington (12.7 point average) and Speedy Smith (10th place). .5 points and 6.2 assists on average). .

The Sportish Gifts with the help of InStat Scout Hapoel’s profile.

The basic rotation and the productive five

Starting with the basics, Hapoel is a team with a strength of 8-9 players. His starting five usually consists of Smith (1.90m) and Carrington (1.93m) on the sentries, with Cornelius (1.97m) and Meyeris (2.07m) in the front positions and Hankins (2.11 m) on the position of the center . These five have been together for 146 minutes and 28 seconds in all competitions and have an incredible +73 on the +/- system. The next most balanced five (Carrington, Randolph, Dorvat, Segev, Hankins) are +16.

Behind those five Israelis comes Brown in the guard positions, Randolph for the 2-3 positions, Vene, Blazer in the forward positions, and Segev in the center position. Normally Hapoel has a rotation of 8-9 players, but on some nights this can – under certain conditions – be extended to 10 players.

The Two Guardian Formation and the Four Rifleman Formation

The duo of Smith and Carrington are the ones setting the pace for Hapoel. The former is the playmaker and Carrington is the team’s combo guard (he has also played an ace in the past) and has a minor role as creator. However, almost half of the Israelis’ pick and rolls are set up by Smith, creating situations for the rest. If Vene – an excellent marksman – is in a power forward position, then Hapoel are extremely dangerous on offense as they have excellent distances with 4 shooters on the ground and a center (Hankins) playing an excellent pick and roll.

The trio of Carrington, Randolph, and Cornelius can pose a threat in spot up situations. What makes Hapoel’s offense special, however, is that Carrington and Randolph can also pick and roll as ball handlers, with Smith opening up the court with his good shooting. This ensures the Israelis have multiple threats at once, as there are always at least two players on the ground who can create situations, with Carrington and Randolph being the team’s top executioners.

According to InStat Scout, Hapoel scores 1.2 points per possession in spot-up situations, a very good number. And it is a number that helps its center immensely.

Hankins is the backbone of the team

Zach Hankins returned to the spotlight this year after two years on the sidelines and immediately reminded everyone that he’s one of the best big players in the competition thanks to the (many) things he can do offensively as well as defensively.

Hankins is the mainstay of Hapoel. He’s a big man in pick-and-roll situations (he’s scoring 1.33 points per possession this year), but he’s so much more than that. He’s also a very good passer, having learned the so-called Short roll off the screen (where he stays at 4 yards) before deciding to pass or shoot and most importantly he is also very good with his back to the basket (1.03 points per ball possession this year).

Hankins’ ability to threaten in both pick-and-roll and back-to-the-basket situations, but most importantly, to fold in such a situation and unlock opposing defenses is what makes the Israeli offensive to which they respond have built the whole plan, so dangerous they on him.

On the other side of the parquet, Hankins is also the one who sets the tone. The American is the definition of a rim protector as it is an excellent blocker. It is characteristic that when he is the main defender, his opponents shoot at the racquet 46%, an excellent number. At the same time, he plays either Hedge Out (comes out dynamically) or Flat (stays behind to protect the basket) in pick-and-roll situations.

Defense makes the difference

Hapoel is a team with many weapons in attack. But in reality, it’s her defense that got her this far. The pressure on Smith’s ball, but also the height she has from positions 3-5 (there are 7 players in the rotation who are at least 1.95 meters tall) helps her to close spaces and close hands everywhere have.

Israel’s opponents shoot 31.8% three-pointers in the BCL, with Hapoel often practically challenging their opponents to hit them with shots from mid-range, traditionally the most difficult shot in basketball. The Israelis want to save their racquet and limit the three-pointers as much as possible. And it is a logic that has succeeded.

However, a side that can dribble enough shots from medium and long range – forcing the Israel defense to take more risks – will be lucky enough against them.

A balanced set

Hapoel Jerusalem is a challenging team. He has enough depth, he has personalities and a clear philosophy in defense and attack. She’s not invincible, but she’s a real… machine that follows her plan and doesn’t deviate from it for any reason.

With players with Champions League basketball experience on its roster, Hapoel is one of the best teams in the competition. However, AEK is level and has a realistic chance of qualifying even at home disadvantage. To do this, however, she must be fully concentrated herself.