Everything you need to know about the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season

MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season field is set with play tipping off on October 17. This is a perfect time to break down the groups and look at which teams might challenge for the crown.

It will be a fierce battle to make it to the Second Round with 10 group winners advancing alongside the six best-ranked runners-up. You can also check out this season's competition system, HERE.

NOTE: Games involving teams from Israel have been postponed until further notice.

Group A: Balkan Botevgrad (BUL), Sporting CP (POR), Arconic-Alba Fehervar (HUN), Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya (ISR)

Balkan Botevgrad enter the competition as Bulgarian league champs and also have history of going deep in the tournament, reaching the Quarter-Finals in 2021. Meanwhile, Arconic-Alba Fehervar are back in the FIBA Europe Cup for the first time since 2019 when they too reached the final eight - and will be led by the ageless veteran David Vojvoda.

Israeli side Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya went through the Qualifying Tournaments and are making their first appearance since 2016-17 with the likes of Chris Babb, Robert Carter, Ryan Boatright and Justin Simon boosting their chances. Sporting CP have a strong core themselves and previously advanced to the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals in 2022.

The favorite: Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya (ISR)
The key matchup: Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya (ISR) vs Sporting CP (POR)
The underdog: Arconic-Alba Fehervar (HUN)

The star: Chris Babb (Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya) has been with Herzliya since 2021 and he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, though he will turn 34 in February.

Group B: BC CSU Sibiu (ROU), Anwil Wloclawek (POL), Surne Bilbao Basket (ESP), Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)

Group B includes the reigning champs Anwil Wloclawek and the Polish side should be a contender again this season with the returning Victor Sanders, Luke Petrasek and Kalif Young. They defeated Cholet Basket in last season's Finals.

Any Spanish team has a chance to go far and that includes debutants Surne Bilbao Basket. They were the EuroCup finalist in 2013 and played in the Basketball Champions League two of the last three seasons. Jaume Ponsarnau has a loaded team with Alex Renfroe, Tryggvi Hlinason and Adam Smith. Another debutant will be Caledonia Gladiators - formerly known as Glasgow Rocks - who will go as far as Patrick Whelan and Ian DuBose take them, while Romanian side BC CSU Sibiu reached the Round of 16 in 2021.

The favorite: Anwil Wloclawek (POL)
The key matchup: Anwil Wloclawek (POL) vs Surne Bilbao Basket (ESP)
The underdog: Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)

The star: Victor Sanders (Anwil Wloclawek) had an argument for Finals MVP last season as he scored 16 and 20 points in the last two games.

Group C: Petrolina AEK (CYP), Karhu Basket (FIN), Jonava CBet (LTU), Rostock Seawolves (GER)

Petrolina AEK return to the competition for the first time since 2018-19 and the Cypriot team will be led by Taveion Hollingsworth. Karhu Basket returns after reaching the Semi-Finals last season - losing to eventual champs Anwil Wloclawek - and the Finnish team will be tough to beat with the likes of Tahj Eaddy, Topias Palmi, Horace Spencer and Shawn Hopkins.

The other two teams in Group C are debutants. Lithuanian side Jonava CBet have only been in the top flight for one season but have a solid core and Rostock Seawolves are making their maiden journey in the competition after going through the Qualifying Tournament with some exciting talents on their roster.

The favorite: Rostock Seawolves (GER)
The key matchup: Karhu Basket (FIN) vs CBet Jonava (LTU)
The underdog: Petrolina AEK (CYP)

The star: Tyler Nelson (Rostock Seawolves) has been with Rostock since February 2021 when the club was in the German second division. And the point guard has been one of the team's leaders ever since.

Group D: KK Mornar - Barsko zlato (MNE), Bahcesehir College (TUR), ERA Nymburk (CZE), Sabah BC (AZE)

Group D contains the 2022 champions Bahcesehir College, who reached the Round of 16 in the Basketball Champions League last season with some high level talent including Jerry Boutsiele, Axel Boutielle, Tony Taylor, Philip Scrubb and Tyler Cavanaugh on this year's roster. KK Mornar - Barsko zlato make their competition return having reached the Quarter-Finals five years ago.

ERA Nymburk surrendered the Czech Championship to Opava after 19 straight championships and enter the FIBA Europe Cup for the first time. Sabah BC of Azerbaijan made it through the Qualifiers after winning the league last season - in the first year of the club's existence. and they should not be underestimated though with Kevin Davenport, Desmond Cambridge and Pavle Marcinkovic.

The favorite: Bahcesehir College (TUR)
The key matchup: Era Nymburk (CZE) vs Bahcesehir College (TUR)
The underdog: Sabah BC (AZE)

The star: Jerry Boutsiele (Bahcesehir College) will be a real force in the paint for Bahcesehir, where he is playing a second season. The Frenchman also has a lot of experience, playing in France with AS Monaco and Limoges CSP.

Group E: Bakken Bears (DEN), Norrkoping Dolphins (SWE), FC Porto (POR), Manisa BBSK (TUR)

Bakken Bears took the Danish crown again last season and return to the FIBA Europe Cup with a deep roster with plenty of experience. Swedish side Norrkoping Dolphins come into the year as three-time reigning domestic champs and will be led by Marcus Tyus and Felix Terins.

FC Porto took once of the Lucky Loser spots from the Qualifying Tournaments with Max Landis leading their charge with a chance to avenge a loss to Manisa BBSK as the two sides face again. The Turkish side won the group on home soil and have one of the strongest rosters on paper as Pako Cruz and John Roberson are among their returning stars.

The favorite: Manisa BBSK (TUR)
The key matchup: Bakken Bears (DEN) vs FC Porto (POR)
The underdog: Norrkoping Dolphins (SWE)

The star: Max Landis (FC Porto) has been the face of Porto since 2019, never averaging fewer than 14.5 points in the Portuguese league. And he helped carry the club to the Quarter-Finals last season.

Group F: Happy Casa Brindisi (ITA), Ironi Ness Ziona (ISR), BC Kalev/Cramo (EST), Casademont Zaragoza (ESP)

One of the biggest names in the competition is Casademont Zaragoza, who reached the Basketball Champions League Semi-Finals in 2020 and 2021 and advanced through the Qualifying Tournament. The Spanish team is loaded with Mark Smith, Jahlil Okafor, Santiago Yusta and Andrea Cinciarini among others.

Happy Casa Brindisi are playing in the competition for a second season after three years in the Basketball Champions League, while Ironi Ness Ziona are back having won the title in 2021. Estonian side BC Kalev/Cramo reached the Semi-Finals last season and will be looking to embark on another run.

The favorite: Casademont Zaragoza (ESP)
The key matchup: Happy Casa Brindisi (ITA) vs Ironi Ness Ziona (ISR)
The underdog: BC Kalev/Cramo (EST)

The star: Mark Smith (Casademont Zaragoza) is only in his second professional season but he left his mark on BG Gottingen in Germany last season with his all-around game.

Group G: Hapoel Galil Elion (ISR), ZZ Leiden (NED), BCM Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA), BC Trepca (KOS)

BCM Gravelines Dunkerque are playing in Europe for the first time since the FIBA Europe Cup in 2016-17 with the French expected to be solid with Johnny Berhanemeskel, Landry Nnoko, Vafessa Fofana and Loren Jackson at their disposal.

ZZ Leiden won the BNXT Belgian and Netherlands league last season - surprising Filou Oostende in the Finals - and previously reached the FIBA Europe Cup Semi-Finals in 2022. Meanwhile, BC Trepca make their Regular Season debut and Hapoel Galil Elion are set to be led by Brandon Garrett, Daniel Rosenbaum and Mike Bothwell. 

The favorite: BCM Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
The key matchup: Hapoel Galil Eilon (ISR) vs BCM Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
The underdog: BC Trepca (KOS)

The star: Johnny Berhanemeskel (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque) is entering his ninth professional season and is a veteran scoring machine. He helped Budivelnyk Kyiv reach the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals last season.

Group H: NINERS Chemnitz (GER), Heroes Den Bosch (NED), PGE Spojnia Stargard (POL), KB Peja (KOS)

NINERS Chemnitz are playing their second season in the FIBA Europe Cup and the team has a strong leadership core of Kaza Kajami-Keane, DeAndre Lansdowne, Kevin Yebo along with sniper Wesley Van Beck. Heroes Den Bosch are playing in the competition for the fourth straight season and the Dutch club has plenty of experience.

PGE Spojnia Stargard of Poland are making their debut with Devon Daniels being the main force, while KB Peja return to the FIBA Europe Cup for the first time since 2016-17 as the reigning Kosovo league champions - and they will look to cause an upset or two along the way.

The favorite: NINERS Chemnitz (GER)
The key matchup: PGE Spojnia Stargard (POL) vs NINERS Chemnitz (GER)
The underdog: KB Peja (KOS)

The star: Kaza Kajami-Keane (NINERS Chemnitz) can really light it up for Chemnitz and the Canadian international will be ready to shine in his first international club competition.

Group I: BG Gottingen (GER), Keravnos BC (CYP), Itelyum Varese (ITA), BC TSU Tbilisi (GEO)

A European giant returns to the international stage with Itelyum Varese - 5-time EuroLeague winners, 10-time Italian champions and 2-time Intercontinental Cup champions. The former FIBA Europe Cup runners-up will be one of the favorites powered by the likes of Willie Cauley-Stein, Sean McDermott, Davide Moretti and Olivier Hanlan.

Expect big things from Umoja Gibson, Bodie Hume and Deondre Burns for BG Gottingen as the German side challenge. Keravnos BC advanced from the Qualifiers for a second straight season with Travis Taylor and Shavar Reynolds impressing, while debutants BC TSU Tbilisi won the league in Georgia last season and have a strong local core.

The favorite: Itelyum Varese (ITA)
The key matchup: BG Gottingen (GER) vs Itelyum Varese (ITA)
The underdog: BC TSU Tbilisi (GEO)

The star: Center Willie Cauley-Stein (Itelyum Varese) makes his European debut after eight seasons in the NBA and playing last season in the G-League. The 30-year-old is a massive presence in the paint on rebounding and shot-blocking.

Group J: Legia Warszawa (POL), CSM CSU Oradea (ROU), Patrioti Levice (SVK), Kataja Basket (FIN)

Legia Warszawa reached the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals in 2022 and played in the Basketball Champions League last season. Look for Raymond Cowels, Christian Vital and Michal Kolenda to lead the Polish side. CSM CSU Oradea reached the FIBA Europe Cup Semi-Finals in 2021 and Quarter-Finals in 2022 with the Romania side still having veteran Kris Richard pulling the strings.

Kataja Basket endured a frantic finale to make it through the Qualifiers as Nike Sibande starred for the Finnish side. Slovak champions Patrioti Levice are back for their second FIBA Europe Cup campaign with Jalen Adaway, Aaron Wheeler and Rob Howard needed for any success.

The favorite: Legia Warszawa (POL)
The key matchup: Kataja Basket (FIN) vs Legia Warszawa (POL)
The underdog: Patrioti Levice (SVK)

The star: Amanze Egekeze (Kataja Basket) is a threat from any spot on the court as the Nigerian international can get to the rim and shoot from long range.

FIBA