BAMBERG (Germany) – With seven titles in the last nine seasons domestically, there was a lot of excitement, and expectation, when it was revealed Brose Bamberg would be competing in the Basketball Champions League this season.

However, the results so far have not reached the levels of expectation, as the German side sit at 6-3 - in the midst of a three game win streak after starting 4-3 - in third place in a stacked Group C.

Star guard Tyrese Rice acknowledges their record, particularly through their first seven games, is not as good as they would have liked, but does not believe it is time to panic just yet.

“It’s not the start we expected to have,” Rice said in an interview last month.

“But we didn’t lose by a huge margin in the games we lost so far, so I guess it’s not a very desperate situation. I think we did good things so far in those games despite losing some of them.

“We did show that our defense is good, that we can play well as a team and we have good chemistry. We still have plenty of games to play and I am sure that we will bounce back, because we have the talent and we want to have a great campaign in this year’s Basketball Champions League.

“Brose Bamberg is a very good team, and we are going to show it to everyone. “

Amongst their three losses were a three-point defeat at the hands of Group C leaders Jerusalem (6-1) and a one-point defeat at the hands of Fuenlabrada that came on an improbable buzzer beater from Francisco Cruz.

 
"It was so frustrating because we had control on the game in the money time, and we made some mistakes that did cost us the win,” a dismayed Rice said on reflection.

“They played well and they got a bit lucky on the last play, but we should have won the game earlier in the fourth quarter by keeping a good margin. It was frustrating to lose while playing at home; that was not the best thing at all. We want to win in our home court every time if possible and show the fans that our home is not an easy place to beat us.

“But it’s one game and we are going to learn from that. “

The veteran guard has done it all in his professional career, winning multiple European titles and individual MVP awards, and as he moves through his ninth year as a pro, he is happy to be back in Germany for his second stint, having played with Bayern Munich in 2012-13.

“I have gained plenty of experience in the last couple of years and I am here to be a solid veteran, and be one of the guys that organizes our plays and our game. I really like the way we play and I feel very comfortable with my role, so I am feeling great. I love my job and I love basketball, and I want to have more great years, of basketball, as I know that I am in the second part of my career.”

Rice has shown little signs of slowing down any time soon; he exploded for 33 points and 8 assists in his Basketball Champions League debut, and is averaging 16.2 points, 4.9 assists and 1.3 steals through nine games.

 
"The first goal is to get to the next round and after that, fight to go far in the competition," Rice added.

"There are plenty of teams that can go to the next round and have long runs in this year’s BCL. I think that the level is very good and it’s going to be tough for every team."

One place where Bamberg haven’t disappointed is in the stands, where they have proven to be one of the best home atmospheres in the Basketball Champions League, something Rice relishes.

“I really like it; it’s so great to have such a passionate and noisy fan base. I love that our arena is full every time we play at home and we can feel that out fans are the sixth man for us.

“It’s a very positive factor because you know that they always have our backs."

And though Rice admits there is room for improvement, with the support of their home fans and their talented roster, he believes they can continue to be one of the strongest teams out of Germany.

"For sure we still have to work on some aspects of our game, but we have talent and the goal to win games and have a great season," he said.

"We fight as one and we all want the same thing: Brose Bamberg to keep being one of the most competitive teams in Germany, and in the Basketball Champions League.

"The season is a long one, we have plenty of games to win and we want to win the most games we can. I am confident about our potential and we have to keep working hard to reach our full potential. We have very good veterans and good young guys that impact the game, so we can do a lot of great things this season.

"We want to win and make Bamberg fans proud of their team."