AP Basketball Preview

PATO BRANCO, Brazil (Interstat) — A surging UNICEUB squad faces a struggling Pato Basquete team in a Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) matchup on Thursday at Ginásio do Sesi.

The game presents a stark contrast in fortunes. UNICEUB (21-9) enters on a strong run, having won five of its last six games, including a dramatic 89-87 victory over powerhouse Flamengo last Wednesday. Pato Basquete (6-22) has lost four consecutive games and 10 of its last 11, most recently a 94-70 road defeat to Bauru.

The visitors are led by forward Daniel Von Haydin, who is coming off a career-best performance. In the win over Flamengo, Von Haydin scored 32 points in 32 minutes, adding five rebounds and four assists. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 17.1 points per contest, providing consistent offensive firepower for a deep UNICEUB roster that also features guard Facundo Corvalan (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Flamengo).

Pato Basquete will look to forward Grigor Batista Vieira to provide a spark. He led the team with 15 points in the loss to Bauru. His production has been variable, but he remains a key interior presence for a home team desperate to stop its skid.

The previous meeting this season heavily favored UNICEUB, which secured an 84-69 home win over Pato Basquete on Dec. 23.

For UNICEUB, this game is a critical opportunity to solidify its standing near the top of the NBB table before a tough upcoming stretch that includes matches against São Jose, Franca and Bauru. For Pato Basquete, mired at the bottom of the standings, it represents a chance to play spoiler and find a rare positive result before a grueling five-game road trip that begins next week.

Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday night in Pato Branco.