EuroCup Women Power Rankings: Round of 16 edition

MUNICH (Germany) - With the Regular Season and Play-Off Round 1 already in the books, it's time to check out the first EuroCup Women Power Rankings of the campaign.

Taking into account results, performances, roster changes and the all-important matchups for the Round of 16, here's how things are shaping up in what could be a very open race for the coveted silverware.

1. Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring 

Season Record: 7-0 (+1 tie)
Without a loss to their name and with two exceptional players spearheading their challenge, the signs are positive. Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring have October MVP Myisha Hines-Allen to call upon, as well as in-form December MVP Nalyssa Smith. The frontcourt duo have been stellar and with Julie Vanloo and Hin Ben Abdelkader in the backcourt, they'll take some beating. A sting in the tail is that InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow presents a tricky Round of 16 tie. 

2. London Lions 

Season Record: 8-0 
You get a sense Lions are on a mission and still feeling the bitter disappointment of missing out their original target of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season. Their flawless record will be tested against Loinek Gernika Bizkaia, but Lions will be favorites. Not least because Temi Fagbenle and Megan Gustafson are a formidable power in the paint, while Holly Winterburn and Karlie Samuelson always deliver in the backcourt and on the wings. Lions have got clutch.

Finnish forward Awak Kuier brings her phenomenal athleticism and shot blocking talent for Reyer

3. Umana Reyer Venice 

Season Record: 8-0
Always ready to make a deep run, this campaign looks to be no different for the Italians who are yet to experience a loss. They also have one of the true standout performers in center Jessica Shepard who has put up some eye-popping numbers. VBW Arka Gdynia could be challenging, but Reyer have a lot of talent with Lorela Cubaj and Anna Makurat moving up the gears, Awak Kuier a blocking machine, while Lisa Berkani and Matilde Villa will be pulling the strings.

4. Tango Bourges Basket  

Season Record: 8-0 
They could be favorites as Bourges have shown their quality and have arguably the most experienced and deepest rotation of any club. Kayla Alexander is on fire and with Anete Steinberga and Artemis Spanou, this is an absolute iron strong formation in the paint. Guards-wise, there's sharp-shooting veteran Kamile Nacickaite, the IQ and defense of Sarah Michel, plus Pauline Astier and Tima Pouye. They're number four as they face a dangerous Besiktas next.

5. Spar Girona 

Season Record: 8-0
It was a fascinating move to appoint former coach Roberto Iniguez during the break, having went undefeated in the competition. His experience will be welcomed against Cadi La Seu in the only all-domestic tie of the Round of 16. The playcaller has lots of know-how and talent to utilize. Kelsey Mitchell can put up big scores, while Sandra Ygueravide will direct traffic. Meanwhile, Regan Magarity, Morgan Bertsch and Marianna Tolo can all be game-winners inside. 

Kyra Lambert has been a big favorite this season for TTT who are a fabulously flawless 8-0

6. TTT Riga 

Season Record: 8-0
With no marquee ballers compared to many rivals, unbeaten TTT have still gotten the job done superbly, so congrats to Martins Gulbis and his players! Opportunity knocks with Roche Vendee next in line. The all-action balling of Kyra Lambert alongside the experience and efficiency of Ieva Pulvere has provided the launch-pad, with Margaux Claveau also coming up big. On paper, they should not be as high in the rankings, but they just keep putting a W on the table!

7. Lattes-Montpellier 

Season Record: 4-2 
The truth is, it's been a seriously mixed bag so far this season for Lattes-Montpellier so it is tough to know what to expect in the next phase against BDS Dinamo Sassari, although they will probably be expected to advance. Kyara Linskens has the presence under the basket at both ends to keep leading the way, with Romane Bernies pulling the backcourt strings. But much will hinge on 'X-Factor' players like Alisia Jenkins. Mamignan Toure and Ameryst Alston.

8. Melikgazi Kayseri 

Season Record: 5-3
Since losing two of the first three games, Melikgazi Kayseri have found an edge with three wins in the last four and  their only loss a one bucket game against TTT. Gintare Petronyte and Joyner Holmes are a handful for any opposing defense, with Claudia Cuic coming to the party too. The question is whether Aaryn Ellenberg-Wiley can keep doing it pretty much alone in the backcourt which isn't deep. NKA Universitas Pecs won't be easy, but Kayseri should edge it.

China national team center and Besiktas star Yueru Li is a handful in the paint for any opponent 

9. Besiktas 

Season Record: 5-3
While Bourges are favorites to advance, there's no doubt on their day and specifically because of the fine collective talent of Dana Evans, Jovana Nogic and Yueru Li, Besiktas are capable of torching anyone. That is exciting and with the freedom of not being favorites, they will relish the opportunity. The downside compared to Bourges is a lack of depth, but quality-wise they have game-winners. Can they stay in the tie long enough to maybe sneak through?

10. VBW Arka Gdynia 

Season Record: 6-2
It has been a positive season so far with an impressive 6-2 record for Philip Mestdagh and his side, although they face a tough task to overcome Umana Reyer Venice. Importantly it is not a mountain to climb and they have a chance if Rennia Davis in particular continues her rich vein of form. Laura Miskiniene has been a big factor too, but it looks like there might not be enough from the supporting cast to topple Venice and continue their journey a little further. 

11. Roche Vendee Basket 

Season Record: 5-2 (+1 tie)
You just can't rule out Roche Vendee Basket because even if they are laboring in the French league, their EuroCup Women home record remains absolutely perfect. That gives Round of 16 opponents TTT Riga something to think about. Another positive for Roche Vendee is that they have many ballers in double-digits for efficiency. It's been a big team effort with Assitan Kone, Vaciana Gomis, Ana Suarez, Sarah Ousfar, Joy Adams and Tiffany Clarke all influential.

Spanish side Cadi La Seu have been able to celebrate wins in seven of their eight games 

12. Cadi La Seu 

Season Record: 7-1
All the way down in 12th place might seem harsh for a club with an eye-catching 7-1 record, but facing Spar Girona who will have a new elite coach in Roberto Iniguez makes for a difficult next phase. Margaret Bair poses a big threat to their Spanish rivals, while Sierra Campisano is coming into form too. Julia Soler and Veronika Remenarova are something of unsung heroes and it will be the teamwork and defense of Cadi that should see them compete hard. 

13. InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow  

Season Record: 5-3
It's been such a roller-coaster for Gorzow as their record would suggest and it is going to be difficult against a frontrunner like Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring. But with Aussie forward Chloe Bibby, the Polish club have one of the standout players in the competition. The support around her has also impressed, with Stephanie Jones, Elena Tsineke and Anna Jakubiuk all capable of helping their team push Galatasaray a lot closer than many people might expect. 

14. BDS Dinamo Sassari 

Season Record: 5-3
It could be that if you want to put your finger on a possible 'upset' then BDS Dinamo Sassari could be the team to deliver. After all, they are strong on their own floor with three wins from four and also have players in-form and not least Mya Hollingshead, with the forward ready to lead the fight against Lattes-Montpellier. Ivana Raca forms a strong partnership in the paint, with Ashley Joens and Debora Carangelo also enjoying productive campaigns.

Peyton Williams has been the standout baller for NKA Universitas Pecs so far this season

15. NKA Universitas Pecs 

Season Record: 5-3
It's tough to predict how NKA Universitas Pecs will step out for their clash against Melikgazi Kayseri as they have blown hot and cold in this competition and in the Hungarian league. Scoring is their big issue as they don't have many ballers who can erupt with game-winning contributions, with an injury to Sydney Wallace having hurt them. The highly efficient Peyton Williams will drop anchor in the paint, while look out for breakout performer Beatrix Meresz.

16. Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 

Season Record: 3-3
The only club in the Round of 16 without a winning record renders Lointek Gernika Bizkaia as the last ranked club in the list, although they are far from being 'no-hopers'. If they did overcome London Lions, it would not be a seismic shock at all. They have been involved in so many close games all season long. With Laia Flores, Crystal Bradford, Sofia Silva, Marie-Michelle Milapie and Sara Madera, they have a solid and reliable core that will keep them in contention

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.