San Sebastián at Estudiantes
MADRID (Interstat) — Estudiantes will put its unbeaten record on the line Sunday when it hosts San Sebastián at Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid.
Estudiantes is 2-0 this season after a road win at Zamora and a home victory over Caja 87. San Sebastián is 1-1, following a road win at Granada with a home loss to Ourense in its most recent outing.
Ondrej Hanzlik is the player to watch for San Sebastián. He scored 23 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out three assists in 28 minutes against Ourense. In his previous game at Granada, Hanzlik had 12 points, four rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes. Omar Kabir added nine points, six rebounds and four assists against Ourense, while Corentin Falcoz scored 14 points with two rebounds and three assists.
Estudiantes enters with momentum after winning at Zamora in its latest game. Earlier this season, Estudiantes beat Caja 87 at home. The home side has opened the campaign with two wins and will look to protect its floor against a San Sebastián team seeking its second victory.
San Sebastián’s most recent result was a 90-86 home loss to Ourense. The visitors had a strong individual effort from Hanzlik, but could not close out the game. San Sebastián’s other result was an 82-76 road win at Granada, when Hanzlik contributed 12 points, four rebounds and one assist.
The visitors will need Hanzlik to remain productive and get support from Kabir and Falcoz. Kabir has shown an ability to contribute across the stat sheet, while Falcoz provides another scoring option. San Sebastián will aim to slow Estudiantes and avoid a second straight loss.
Estudiantes has relied on its defense and balanced play in its first two games. The home team will try to control the pace and take advantage of playing at Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid. A win would keep Estudiantes perfect and add another strong result to its early season resume.
After Sunday, San Sebastián will visit Palmer Basket, then travel to Alicante. Later matchups include Coto Cordoba CB, Gran Canaria, Cantabria Estela, Albacete, Caja 87, Palencia, Zamora and Fibwi Palma. Estudiantes will host Palencia next, then visit Fibwi Palma. Its upcoming slate also includes Gran Canaria, Cantabria Estela, Granada, Ourense, Albacete, Palmer Basket, Tizona and Fuenlabrada.
Interstat’s game simulator projects Estudiantes to win 84-79. Interstat’s ELO system gives Estudiantes an 85 percent probability of victory. The projections favor the undefeated home side, while San Sebastián will look to Hanzlik for the lift needed to challenge Estudiantes at home.