ISTANBUL (Basketball Champions League) - Besiktas Sompo Japan are consumed by the desire to claim another title.

Remember the amazing EuroChallenge run of 2011-12, a campaign that saw Deron Williams erupt for 50 points in one Besiktas triumph? The club lost just twice and captured the crown.

Nothing would be finer than lifting the trophy at the end of the second edition of the Basketball Champions League, though it all has to start with a solid showing in the Round of 16 against medi Bayreuth.

"I think we're the favorite to pass the Round of 16," coach Ufuk Sarica said. "I believe we'll go to the Final Four in the Basketball Champions League. We have the required team play and the power. At that time, the most important thing will be that we're healthy and have a complete team. If we are, I believe the way will be clear."

After rolling to 12 wins in 14 games and finishing top of Group E last season to earn a spot in the Round of 16, Besiktas fell in a two-legged showdown to Pinar Karsiyaka by 12 points on aggregate. 

Besiktas have, just as they did last season, top-notch players. There are quality playmakers in Ryan Boatright, Josh Adams, Kenan Sipahi, a terrific shooting guard in DJ Strawberry and a red-hot sharpshooting forward Jon Diebler, whose 59.7 percent (40 of 67) from 3-point range success rate ranked first overall in the Regular Season of the competition.

Diebler has shot a league best 59.7 percent from 3-point range

Besiktas are strong at the other positions, too. Kyle Weems and Erkan Veyseloglu are outstanding small forwards and Earl Clark is a sweet-shooting power forward. Sertac Sanli is a Turkey international who does great work on both ends of the floor.

If players get hurt, though, there could be problems.

"The health of our players is important to us at this point," Sarica said. "We don't have an endless roster nor endless opportunities. With a modest budget and roster, we're trying to do our best. I hope our team will be in good health and that we move on to bigger goals."

Sarica has liked what he has seen from his players in most of their games this season.

"We have a big number of players that share responsibility," Sarica said. "I think this is a sign that we are playing as a team. We play by sharing on the court.

"Of course, there are days when we lose, when we are bad on court. Nevertheless, we have several experienced players. Therefore, we have more than one player that has the character to change the color or the direction of the game."

The health of our players is important to us at this point. We don't have an endless roster nor endless opportunities. With a modest budget and roster, we're trying to do our best. I hope our team will be in good health and that we move on to bigger goals.SaricaSarica

Sarica has managed to steer the team to a lot of wins this season, despite having to juggle lineups and bring new players into the mix while coping with injuries.

"In the second campaign of the Basketball Champions League, we have repeated the same success as being the leader in the group phase," he said. "This year, we might have increased the expectations of people after last year. (But) It is a fact that we had a very troubled period this year.

"From the beginning of the season, we've not been able to become a team with our full roster and we've had a lot of flux. The injured players healed, new players came, some players went. These are the factors that affect the stability of the team. Despite this, we're in a good position today both in the Turkish League and in Basketball Champions League as well.

"This situation makes us happy for now, but it's not enough for us."

Sipahi is one of the Turkey internationals with an important role at Besiktas

The memory of last year's early exit from the Play-Offs has not faded. There is a burning desire to get it right this time.

"We have many different and lofty goals," Sarica said. "We were eliminated, unluckily, after the successful performance we showed in the Basketball Champions League last year.

"Our first goal this year is to pass the Round of 16 and to go to the Final Four. Later, maybe even if possible, to take the Final Four to Istanbul.

"Our president, Fikret Orman, board member who is responsible for basketball, Ahmet Cihat Kumusoglu, and all members of the board give us the support. If we can go to the Final Four, they want the final to be played here, and they are very enthusiastic about it."