LONDON (Diccon Lloyd-Smeath's Champions League Insider) - EWE Baskets Oldenburg visited AS Monaco on the French Riviera. There were undoubtedly more intense and thrilling fixtures in round 5 - multiple overtimes are the norm now - but few that are potentially more telling.

Coming into week 5, EWE Baskets had the best Offence in the competition with an Offensive Rating of 123.5 points per 100 possessions and the top 3P% in the competition after cluster bombing UCAM Murcia in round 4. Monaco themselves were 2nd in Offensive Rating at 120 but more outstanding was their Defensive Rating at 85.3, giving up 10 points less per 100  than Besiktas in 2nd on 95.

A problem with a shot clock delayed tip but Monaco's start was anything but slow. In the huddle before the game Coach Mitrović called "2 Shoulders for Aaron", meaning they were running their favourite set for Aaron Craft. Despite a complete squad overhaul from last year, Monaco are just as physical as last time. If posting up your Point Guard on the 1st play of the game –when you have physical advantages in several positions - wasn’t designed to send out a message, the message was received anyway.

On the defensive end Monaco were showing equal intent. Amara Sy switches and guards a bunch of positions without giving up much and even if Yakuba Ouattara's defence last season earned him a 2 way NBA contract and a season in the G League, Aaron Craft is just as good on ball and makes canny rotations. He's a scrapper, that can out think you on offence too. Monaco looked defensively organized on the perimeter, carrying all the same hall marks of last year; active hands, everything in front of them, switching, Hard Hedges and rotations. They weren't so much playing defence as they were attacking without the ball. Clip 1 you see Gerald Robinson scratching and clawing and Kader Sylla at 2.05m (6'7") with 2.25m (7'4") wings, completely blow up Oldenburg's PnR.

Clip 2 and everyone is moving their feet, chasing round screens with hands everywhere. Amara Sy switches once and then when Kader Sylla is slightly late on the PnR, they help, Craft helps the helper and disrupts until Sy gets back to hurry the shot. Arms everywhere and the lay up the other end….inevitable.

Abdel Kader Sylla was outstanding too. Rasid Mahalbasic at 2.08m (6'10") is a tough cover for anyone down low. Kader Sylla handled him as well as any have so far this season.

Oldenburg didn't have the best Offence in the competition by fluke and through Mahalbasic crashing the offensive glass they found a way to stay in touch. When Kader Sylla went out with 2 fouls and Amara Sy sat, cracks in Monaco's Pick and Roll defence started to appear and as Brad Loesing and Bryon Allen started to turn the corner on PnR's, crafty cuts off ball, blurred help rotations, opening up drive and kick 3's.

Franz Massenat added punch off the bench as well. Getting in passing lanes and knocking down open shots. 5 quick points in 2 possessions and the lead was cut to 8.

It wasn't until Aaron Craft came back in the game at 5:35 in the 2nd that Monaco started to click again. By the time the former Buckeye had done his work, Monaco went in at the half up 44-29.

To start the 3rd EWE Oldenburg again found a way to get back in the game. Again, Rasid Mahalbasic was heavily involved. This time however, it was a different Monaco player that took the game away from the Germans. Amara Sy heard his name called and answered. Knock down open 3, excellent post shut out on De Zeeuw, then beats everyone down court to throw it down. Essentially a 7 Point swing that took the lead from a chaseworthy 10, to 17 and broke the back of the game. There was still time for Monaco to enjoy themselves and explore the potential of their offence as well. The next 2 clips you see them run "2 Shoulders" again but flip flop it by cutting the PG to different sides of the floor. Both possessions, exploiting the same PnR help dilemma. In the 1st Clip, Evans lifts out of the corner, taking his defender with him. The 2nd clip, watch as he makes eye contact with Cooper and points up for the lob, knowing that his defender will be focused on helping the Pick and Roll this time, leaving him to sneak back door. Fun and games!

Statistically AS Monaco had the best win % of any team, in any European competition last season and also one of the stingiest defences. Whilst 5 games so far this season is a small sample size, it's a decent probability that things are going to take a similar shape this year. Oldenburg will like their chances of extending their advantage on the offensive glass at home but for Monaco to have completely changed the spine of their roster and already have the chemistry down at this early stage of the season….Warning Klaxons are sounding for the rest of the clubs in the Basketball Champions League.

Diccon Lloyd-Smeath
Basketball Champions League

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