Mens Sana keeps their hold on the top of the rankings and the road leading to the playoffs. It’s a fundamental benchmark in order not to lose their Euroleague A License defended by the cost of of going to play in Florence – a painful but necessary choice not taken lightly. Being back at the heights of Europe could entice sponsors to step forward and could help out the coffers, which aren’t looking good right now. And while we await the members meeting, from which a budget must emerge (and the future of Viale Sclavo), Eurocup is underway. Crespi’s men continue doing their job, adding two important points in the race for the top eight spots. After disasters with Haifa and Bologna, the group rep-upped and exited the Coppa Italia with their heads held high. Then they put the breaks on the newly found hopes of Pesaro, led by a senior pivot like Anosike in the mix. Mens Sana was in a different gear. It was going bu not amazing. However, it defended well enough and showed that the uphill “post Hackett” road has been undertaken and progressing. And it’s thanks mostly to a Haynes that’s less selfish and more open to working for a common cause, and especially an Erick Green who, now that he’s no longer a scared freshman, is showing us why the NBA is waiting for him and Siena took a risk on his maturation. With so much improvement demonstrated in melding the team, there’s no lack of reasons to smile. At least that’s how it is on court.

La Nazione

HAYNES 6,5 He’s in individualist, not much else to say. But proves he’s willing to try. Then when he’s gain’s confidence he’s unstoppable and can make heavy breaks. It’s great when there are more assists (4) than turnovers (3).

GREEN 9 In chronological order. An amazing first quarter(13 pt and 17 index) on a European level. A second quarter of containment to “explain” 20 points already racked up and a perfectly clean run (6/6,2/2). An NBA-worthy third quarter where he hits 30. Then the fourth with a 40 index rating. We’re going to keep hearing about this. A player of superiour skill.

JANNING 5 Tansforms Carter’s airball into an assist to Haynes for a three. Then nothing else. Bad night of  0/5. There will be better ones. And he’s certainly not going to get down about it.

CARTER 6 Influential start with a triple for the first good lead and lost of small details. 3 assists too.

VIGGIANO 5 His first shot is short half a meter and Crespi seems to have noticed. An off night – the only one with a negative index. It’ll go better next time.

NELSON 6,5 A lot of things right. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but he seems like the guy we saw at the beginning of the season. Good rapport with Ress. Index rating (11) almost double his points (6).  

RESS 7 Knows the system by heart and it’s like he works on autopilot. , sembra andare in automatico. Plays a good fast game. People compare him to Baresi and Vierchovod, but it was Cannavaro who won  the Pallone d’Oro è stato Cannavaro. Well, in any case, he’s a bastion!

ORTNER 7 (in photo) His assist on Haynes’ triple isn’t something you see every day. And it’s even better when he does it between offensive rebounds and blocks. Wins the duel against Anosike, not in terms of rebounds but of court presence. He’s experiencing a great moment. Not a hot hand at shooting (4/10) but he’s strong on rebounds (7+3) – what’s needed.

HUNTER 5 Imprecise at super close shooting. Not having a great moment. Needs to keep up with his teammates.

La Nazione

TOP SCORER of the game, Erick Green, has a super night with his first misses shot at minute 32. The Siena point guard is pleased with his personal performance but most of all, with the fact that it coincided with a great win after an intense week. “I’m happy with my performance, no doubt. I hope to keep being able to do what the coach says and following his daily advice.” He first gives credit to their defeated opponent. ”Pesaro came here to play for it and they even caused us trouble at times. They played a good game through to the end, though after the half we were more careful about defense and gave them fewer chances to get back in the game.” But the game was a lockdown second half. ”We played like we wanted to play, attacking the right way and playing better defense. My confidence really increased after the Coppa Italia, and it’s increasing in me. I want it to always be that way. I really like praise from the coach. It motivates me each day even on defense and the things I need to improve in.”  It seems like number 32 is already on his way to a bright future. “I’m just focused on now; trying to be more confident in my game and the team. As soon as I arrived, I had to adjust to a new country and a new kind of basketball. But I think I’m slowly showing the improvement that I wanted.”

Guido De Leo

Mens Sana gave their all and even more Wednesday night to remain in Eurocupl fighting hard for 35 minutes against Champions, Khimki, the team pegged to win the entire competition. With the loss in Russia, the green-and-white’s international experience doesn’t end there. but they’ll need a miracle to move on to the next round. To do it, they need at least a 9 point win over the Germans and Maccabi has to lose to the Russians. No doubt there’ll be the utmost dedication even though the team has returned their focus to the season’s real goal: to be in the championship’s top eight and maintain their three-year Euroleague license.  It’s the 2013-14 national title they want to earn and celebrate. Recent performances from Crespi’s men bode very well if they can keep that great team chemistry going. On Wednesday, those three Coppa Italia games were heavy on their minds and legs, not to mention fatigue from the zillion kilometer trip to Moscow. That’s why – and not only – we can only be proud of the players and staff, who shouldn’t regret a thing. Sure, a few more shots could have gone in, but it’s not a shot that circles the rim and exits that makes the difference. It’s the dedication that each person brings. After so many years of success, fans understand that you’re legitimately beaten by a better opponent and you’ve given all you can on court, all you can do is congratulate yourself without regrets, and thank the team like at the Coppa Italia in Milan. Siena is no longer the battleship of the past and the future has yet to written, all together – united and cohesive more than ever in our love for green-and-white.

COACH Marco Crespi is pleased with this team’s performance against what probably is the competition’s strongest team. He says, “We offered a performance that was well above sufficient, with an excellent third quarter. Our opponents are a team that’s won 27 consecutive games; that’s beaten Cska twice in the championship. I think it’s also positive that we used our heads, although the game was decided by baskets and great players. They’re stronger than us but, objectively speaking, in order to beat us, they had to land some really champion-like baskets.” Ortner’s foul situation was a determining factor in the game. “I think Ben’s two early fouls took some emotional charge from the game, but we still tried. Now, we’re focused on Pesaro. We’re working on the championship game. We’re going to keep improving and looking forward.”

Here are the report cards from the game between Khimki Moscow and Montepaschi Siena.

Viggiano, 6: Eleven minutes on court without making a mark, but he brought to useful moves on defense. He isn’t able to shine; not his greatest game.

Hunter, 5: His confidence crisis is a fact at this point. Round one he was won of the best, fundamental in keeping Mens Sana in the game until the last minute.. Yesterday his performance was evanescent, though he was the only one physically able to contain Russia’s big men. He needs to grow in order to be able to give a performance like not too long ago.

Cournooh, 5: His shooting trouble hasn’t passed, doesn’t leave a trace on court.

Haynes, 6: Imprecise at shooting first half  and becomes an assist man after the half, creating good conclusions for Ortner and Nelson, but he can do more.

Carter, 6.5: In vain from long distance, adds important triples before Khimki takes off and third quarter.

Janning, 6: Good second half, but not enough to really scare Khimki. He also knocks down two important threes that allow Mens Sana to believe straight through to the last five minutes. ,

Ress, 5.5: Does the impossible against direct opponents twice his size, it’s a fight under the night and not even the captain is exempt from the struggle. Little court time second half.

Ortner, 6.5: The same solid rock under the next, always ready when his teammates pass and is often a nightmare for the Russians.

Nelson, 7.5: Another great performance for Spencer who confirms the growth he showed during the Coppa Italia, a constant thorn in Moscow’s side.

Green 7: Fundamental to the third quarter comeback, when he attacks the net, draws fouls and scores to get his  teammates fired up. The last to give in, and the growth he’s showing is promising.

MONTEPASCHI heads on court at 4:30pm. The game will be broadcast live on Eurosport 2 and Canale 3 Toscana digital. And it’s a game to be watched, but the one that could resolve the Group K situation will be played two hours later. It’s a difficult scenario to describe. If Mens Sana loses to Moscow and Maccabi Haifa wins their away game at Nymburk, Maccabi takes second place and Eurocup ends there. IF MENS SANA wins and Maccabi loses, they’ll need a 1 point win over Nymburk in Siena and hope the Israeli’s have a home loss the last game. In the event of a green-and-white loss and a Nymburk over Maccabi, it will all come down to the last day. And at that point (with Mens Sana and Nymburk having the same number of wins), if Maccabi loses at home to Khimki the shot differential will count in the three-team challenge (Siena, Numburk, Haifa). Otherwise, if Haifa wins they head to the quarterfinals.  a

The Khimki away game is already tricky, but without almost any rest after the Coppa Italia it becomes a real beast. Crespi is fully aware: “We’re going to play Khimki with the confidence we gained those three days in Milan, focusing on ourselves and with a few more tactical options than we had that good round one game. It’s certainly going to be a difficult game, but we like difficult.” The Russians are on an impressive roll. “Khimki has achieved excellent results,” the coach comments, “with 15 wins in the VTB, two out of two wins over Cska, and an authoritative journey in EuroCup. They’re great championship, able to run the court but also score in the paint.” The green-and-whites need to base their work on the good things they showed over the long weekend in Milan. Crespi continues, “The tournament gives you a really special feeling and a special kind of adrenaline. But when something that good is over, you have to take what you’ve learned and so it can help you do better in those one or two games a week. Now we have a special game against a Euroleague Top 16 team, and especially a game at home in front of our fans that we need absolutely must win.” The Coppa Italia is an inheritance to build on. Crespi responds, ” We played well against both Rome and Brindisi and stayed mentally strong at tough moments. That’s undoubtedly the most important detail we’re bringing with us from Milan. The game against Sassari lets us know that allowing a 7-0 break at the last minute of the second quarter is something we have to avoid; it’s better to throw the ball into the stands and end it 0-0 – it could have been a different game then.”

THE RETURN trip from Milan ended at about 3 in the morning between Sunday and Monday. A day off to relax their physical and mental bones after a Coppa Italia that pushed their muscles and minds to the limit. And now it’s back on road again. The Final Eight dream is over and the reality of never-ending trips is back. The one taking the team to Rome this morning is a perfect example. Departure from PalaEstra at 9: 30,and an early afternoon arrival in Moscow: just enough time to unpack and it’s back on the bus again. Mens Sana still has to finish preparing for the challenge against Kkimki, and they’ll be doing it in the Siberian cold (8 degrees Celsius below zero yesterday, no improvement today). Though the game is worth more theoretically than practically. Siena’s destiny in Eurcup is much more closely linked to next week’s game, and the match against Pesaro is on the horizon. The one that really counts, the one that will be played in Siena in front of a home crowd ready to give a standing ovation to the character and courage of a group that departed for Milan with the idea of not losing and returned with a cup that’s worth more than second place it represents. They always have and always will be a team of champions. The goal is still the same: championship playoff qualification. And that qualification has to come through Viale Sclavo
because by winning the next six home games  (of the 12 still left to play in the regular season) would open the door to the ‘post-season’ and, more importantly, Euroleague.  Mens Sana brought character and pride to Milan for three days, but it’s at home that they’ll create their own future.

More or less a month ago, David Stern came down hard during an Italian basketball situation defending  none other than the Assago Forum. “It’s as old as I am.”  Hyperbole aside, the facility that will host Euroleague’s Final Four was “just” inaugurated in 1990. The NBA commissioner wanted to  point out how inadequate Italian arena’s were in terms of possible direct involvement with the American league like, for example, what’s happening in England. He doesn’t go beyond appearances because he surely would have liked seeing what happened last weekend with the always unpredictable Coppa Italia. And there’s more. Because is Stern teaches about basketball being of service to families, being a clean discipline to be used as a point of reference, then he would have just loved the Italian versions seen between Sassari and Siena. That’s first and foremost. Stefano Sardara running across the court with the game still on but only seconds left, to hug his friend and rival, Ferdinando Minucci, in a sort of passing of the torch. And especially the green-and-white delegation’s extraordinary behaviour: team and staff, managers, coaches and players, who remained to applaud their opponents on their first ever win.  That’s how it always should be. Yet it rarely happens, and defeats are accompanied by protests and yelling. It was a perfect advertisement for Italian basketball.  Further demonstration of the pride and good sportsmanship of a club used to winning and thus dignified and proud when they don’t. Whoever wins deserves applause from those defeated. And the stands were packed with fans, each applauding for their own team. No offensive chants or inappropriate comments. There was just applause and tears transformed into messages of thanks, which later invaded the web.  Mens Sana exits the Coppa Italia victorious in defeat. They exit heads held high; aware that they did all they could to make it worth the trip for fans. It’s a dream being able to return home like this: with the disappointment of not winning and the pride of a people who cried rivers of virtual tears. The Forum might be an “old” facility, but what happened there was something extraordinary that even David Stern would have liked.
David Stern. There’s often talk that basketball needs to hold itself to a higher standard. That’s what happened in the best way possible thanks to Sassari’s fairytale and Siena’s magic, which happens even when they lose.