ULEB Cup draw profile: Lukoil Academic
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One of the time-honored clubs in comeptition, Lukoil Academic has made a special anniversary season even better by returning to the elimination rounds for the fourth time in its five ULEB Cup appearances. One of the finalists when European club competition began exactly 50 years ago, Lukoil has played even better than it's 6-4 record, good for third place in Group H, might indicate. No other third-place teams and only three that finished second in their groups had a higher overall point difference than Lukoil. Indeed, four first-place teams had worse point differences than Lukoil, which despite opening the season getting beaten by 19 in the 50th anniversary game with ASK Riga, was defeated by a total of just 10 points in its other three losses. Along the way, Lukoil played entertaining basketball, ranking fourth in both scoring (88.6 points per game) and rebounds (35.4 rpg.) under head coach Zeljko Lukajic. Key to both success and entertainment were the regular season's second- and fourth-best performers, big man Pero Antic and point guard Willie Deane. Antic poured in 20.8 points,  third-best in the competition, and pulled 8.8 rebounds, fourth-best, on average. He had a great partner in regular season assists leader Deane (6.7 apg.), who also scored 19.1 points, grabbed 2.3 steals and shot 56.8% from the thre-point arc. That's not to mention running mates like Murilo Da Rosa, a 71% two-point shooter, and Larry O'Bannon, another double-digit scorer who arrived in midseason. Anchoring it all is the ULEB Cup's top scorer and assist man ever, Todor Stoykov, always a threat for big shots when needed. Nenad Canak, Riste Stefanov and Tencho Banev bring experience to the mix, making Lukoil a threat no matter whom it plays or where. If this team can summon the defense to lower the shooting percentage of opponents, its rebounding and firepower are enough to put no limits on Lukoil in its special anniversary season.
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