EuroCup Women Power Rankings, Quarter-Finals edition

MUNICH (Germany) - The race to win EuroCup Women silverware has arguably never been so wide open and that is an exciting prospect ahead of the Quarter-Finals. 

With four clubs also landing at this stage via EuroLeague Women, what better time to produce our second volume of the Power Rankings? Although it has been quite the task for our panel, with most ties looking very much 50-50, underlining how gripping the remainder of the competition is going to be.

1. Galatasaray 

Season Record: 5-9 (EuroLeague Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs KSC Szekszard

Is this overly generous? Perhaps, since Galatasaray were not even in the competition until they got the reprieve from the adjusted lineup after the suspension of the Russian teams. On the flip-side, Galatasaray just beat the number one seed in EuroLeague Women - none other than arch-rivals Fenerbahce Safiport in the Istanbul derby in a recent Turkish League game and that shows they can beat high level teams.

Kelsey Plum joined mid-season and helped to stabilize an unpredictable and inconsistent Galatasaray

Yes, Galatasaray actually lost this past weekend in the Turkish League and so the above might feel counterintuitive but, in mitigation, they are missing the super Pelin Bilgic to injury at the moment. In Kelsey Plum and Kaela Davis they have a WNBA combo who know how to get it done in EuroCup Women while the solid Shante Evans and towering Tina Krajisnik are big assets inside. Maybe this number one rating is also about the fact that they have a big chance to take an unprecedented third EuroCup Women title and can you imagine if they managed it and Fenerbahce didn't secure EuroLeague Women? What a turnaround that would be!

2. CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld 

Season Record: 11-1 (EuroCup Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs LDLC ASVEL Feminin

Maybe on current form and taking into account their star-studded roster, CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld could justifiably be top of the rankings. But then they do have a tough-looking Quarter-Finals tie with LDLC ASVEL Feminin and also, they came really close to not even being here. Remember that 20-point plus loss to Gernika in the first leg back in the Round of 16? They turned it around, but it shows that when they get it right, Mersin can be devastating, but when they have an off day, it can be a real off day! 

Kristine Anigwe is rarely talked about, but always provides an anchor inside for CBK Mersin

Temi Fagbenle is absolutely enormous for Mersin inside, fellow Brit Kristine Anigwe is so underrated alongside her, while the relatively recent addition of veteran forward DeWanna Bonner adds incredible experience and clutch ability. But probably it is USA star Tiffany Hayes that is the big game-winner in waiting. Her presence and ability is huge, while the level of options for Mersin is also highlighted by having Yvonne Turner, Shavonte Zellous, Nika Baric and Jasmine Thomas. They have the quality and depth to get it done.

3. Valencia BC 

Season Record: 10-2 (EuroCup Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs Umana Reyer

It's been an interesting campaign for Valencia, having won the SuperCup Women against UMMC Ekaterinburg, but missing out on the EuroLeague Women Regular Season which was their main aim. Next in line for accomplishments, once returning to EuroCup Women, was to successfully defend the maiden title they won last April. It's not been straightforward. The Spanish team were let off the hook in a big way by Polkowice in the Round of 8 and may had not made this stage of the competition at all.

Bec Allen is having another very impressive campaign wearing a Valencia Basket jersey

That home defeat which almost saw Valencia eliminated was a wake-up call and their focus has been further sharpened by the loss to injury of trusty warrior and Spanish national team forward Laura Gil. This is a big blow. But at least Valencia have depth with standout performer Bec Allen, the highly effective Marie Guelich and the strength of Celeste Trahan-Davis in the paint. There are plentiful choices in the guard spots with Queralt Casas, Cristina Ouvina, Angela Salvadores and Leticia Romero. But Umana Reyer is a big challenge and they will all have to be at the peak of their game if they want to secure a ticket to consecutive Final Four tournaments.

4. Basket Landes 

Season Record: 7-7 (EuroLeague Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs Tango Bourges Basket

Take a coin and throw it in the air when it comes to Basket Landes and Tango Bourges Basket and this pending Quarter-Finals matchup. The teams met over the weekend and Bourges won narrowly on the road at Landes. It will probably be a similar case, in terms of fine margins, with these next two meetings in EuroCup Women. So why do Landes get the four spot? Well, that win in Girona and having competed in more top-level European games this season maybe gives them an edge.

Swedish frontcourt ace Regan Magarity has done a good job in the paint for Basket Landes this season

Personnel wise, the teams are well matched as the weekend game showed, with Landes needing big performances from both Marianna Tolo and Regan Magarity under the basket, while forward Jillian Harmon must turn up the dial on her offensive production. Marine Fauthoux and Lidija Turcinovic have the chance to shine and Kendra Chery has valuable athleticism and defense in her locker. It can go either way for sure, but we had to have the ex-EuroLeague Women team in the top four didn't we?

5. Tango Bourges Basket 

Season Record: 11-1 (EuroCup Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs Basket Landes

In many respects, cut and paste from above - just switch the team names around. There is every chance Bourges will progress as there is nothing between these clubs. You certainly have to love the experience in their ranks, with frontcourt trio Isabelle Yacoubou (MVP this past weekend against Landes), Kristen Mann and Elodie Godin having more collective European appearances than you could count. 

Keisha Hampton has brought to Bourges a higher offensive gear and more dynamic options

Throw in the leadership from the backcourt of Elin Eldebrink and Sarah Michel, and the issue of insufficient know-how is certainly not an issue anymore. Bourges also have the dynamic Keisha Hampton, whose productivity has been high of late, with rising star Iliana Rupert doing excellent things around her more experienced peers in the paint. Oh dear, it sounds like we are convincing ourselves that maybe Bourges should be fourth? Where have we put that coin to throw again?

6. LDLC ASVEL Feminin  

Season Record: 10-1-1 (EuroCup Women - one drawn game)
Quarter-Finals: vs CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld

Arguably the toughest rating on any of the clubs in these Quarter-Finals, the sixth-place spot is simply about facing a very deep CBK Mersin team. But LDLC ASVEL Feminin have the ballers to play well and it would not be a shock at all if they make it to the Final Four. After all, there are few more talented backcourt combos in the women's game than Julie Allemand and Marine Johannes who, on a good day, can be unstoppable. 

Will LDLC ASVEL Feminin forward Alexia Chartereau be able to produce a big performance in the Quarter-Finals?

With Aleksandra Crvendakic showing leadership qualities on the wing, Alexia Chartereau able to produce game-winning performances and Cierra Burdick is a strong presence inside too, ASVEL will believe they can slip past Mersin. The main issue is that there is a lot of pressure on the starting five because they just don't have the same wealth of options as their opponents. 

7. Umana Reyer 

Season Record: 5-9 (EuroLeague Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs Valencia Basket

It wasn't meant to be like this for Umana Reyer. Having moved early last summer with the seemingly stellar signing of Astou Ndour to lead their EuroLeague Women charge, things did not go according to plan. The Venice team hit the rocks early and a crisis loomed as they changed play-callers to try and stop their slump. They have looked better lately and switching to EuroCup Women could see the former Finalists making another run.

Astou Ndour was a marquee signing for Umana Reyer

However, they do have the reigning champions standing in their way and that is not an easy prospect. But, with Yvonne Anderson probably one of the most in-form guards in Europe at the moment and Kayla Thornton doing good things in recent weeks, they should be able to push Valencia hard. But perhaps a lack of depth and quality contributions off the bench will remain a barrier to success.

8. KSC Szekszard 

Season Record: 0-14 (EuroLeague Women)
Quarter-Finals: vs Galatasaray

It's been a tough ride for KSC Szekszard during what should and maybe could have been a glorious and historic first Regular Season campaign in EuroLeague Women. Instead, they had a rotten start and as time went on, it became more of an issue that they couldn't quite get the victory they craved. They had some very close calls, including an overtime loss to the high-flying Perufmerias Avenida.

Cyesha Goree is always ready to go to work inside for KSC Szekszard

They are more than capable of tearing up these EuroCup Women Power Rankings. They face Galatasaray, who sit as number one in this list, but if the Hungarian side can make some shots, get some confidence and perhaps embrace a change of competition, it would not exactly be a gigantic upset. The frontcourt is rock solid and experienced with Cyesha Goree, Nikolina Milic and Sara Krnjic. But can they finally get some production from the backcourt? The addition of Kolby Morgan, who scored plenty for Elazig in the competition, could be key.

Disclaimer: The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.