Movistar Estudiantes is going through its first real crisis of the season. The two defeats in a row in Alicante, in a match that they were unable to close, and against a superior Andorra, dropped the schoolboys to fifth position in the LEB Oro with a 6-3 record after playing the first nine rounds of the competition. A wound that still does not make us tremble (there is a long way to go) but that could become deeper and worrying this Wednesday in San Sebastián if they don’t beat Guuk Gipuzkoa Basket this Wednesday (7:30 p.m., LaLigaSportsTV).
The Basques are a dangerous rival. Led by Kyle Jaworski, second highest scorer in the category (18.7 points on average), have been the only ones to defeat Zunder Palencia for the moment. They also led Força Lleida in Barris Nord to extra time last day. And, even, Hereda San Pablo Burgos could not let go of his bite until the last quarter.
“It is a team that has very talented players. They’re hard. We have to be serious. If we all go to the same thing, we will surely take it with us ”, analyzes Rubén Domínguez, guard from Ramírez, about a game in which Javier Rodríguez, coach from Ramírez, He will not be able to count on Kamaro Jawara or Leo Démetrio. The Norwegian power forward already missed the duel against MoraBanc Andorra due to acute low back pain and he also four The Brazilian suffers from a torn fiber in the hamstring of his left leg, which prevented him from finishing the duel against those from the Principality.
Two key casualties that cause the rest of the squad to have to take a step forward. Above all, to main swords like Mark Hughes, who has had a start to the season well below expectations and who is vital for the growth of the schoolboys. Without him, a class scorer and penetrator, everything is much more difficult.
The American guard (24 years and 1.93 m) was one of the great reinforcements of Estudiantes for this second season in LEB Oro after his brilliant time at Lleida: he averaged 13.2 points (49.2% from triple) and 12.2 PIR and was essential for the ilerdenses to reach the Final Four in Girona, where they lost to the host. Averages well above those that he accumulates with Movistar at the moment. The American is at 5.4 goals with 40% from three and a low 20% from two. His rating is 3.6.
“It depends a bit on him. He has all my confidence, but he lacks that good match, the one that gives him the confidence to show all the basketball he has. We all wait for that day ”, Javier Rodríguez analyzed his pupil in an interview for AS before the Windows.
For the college coach, one of the problems for this numerical drop may be that his role has decreased in Estudiantes compared to Lleida. “He comes from a team where he was very important, playing many minutes and here the role is very different.: There are days that he plays 12, 15, 18 minutes… in a 12-player squad, if you distribute 200 minutes you have to juggle, because that is sometimes difficult to assimilate and he is in that process”, explains the coach, who needs its star more than ever. And the college fans, too. Is now.