Turkish TBL Playoffs Analysis

Galatasaray (1) - Tofas (8): Galatasaray had really big problems this season. They have lost 4 key players: Domercant, Hawkins, Koksal and Atsur. But they were able to finish the league at 1st spot. + Club record win streak with 17 game. Tofas started the season with Steve Burtt and after they have decided to part ways with American point-guard. One of the most promising youngsters of Turkey, Kenan Sipahi, took the control of the team. That means lot for 1995-born Sipahi. Actually Austin Nichols is not having great season. Maybe he was biggest disappointment for Bursa side this season. Being there, at the play-off's, is success for Tofas I think. 

Prediction: Galatasaray in 2.

Anadolu Efes (2) - TED Kolejliler (7): Efes fought hard against Olympiacos but as like Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow they couldn't beat them in the series. Their opponent is TED Kolejliler. Ankara side beat Efes in the 1st game of the regular season. They played an exhibition game against Galatasaray 2 days ago at Abdi Ipekci and maybe the worst thing for TED happened before the play-off's: Nedim Yucel, double-double machine, injured in the game and most likely will not play at the first game. Don't know how he will be ready for the second game if he plays. TED Kolejliler's biggest + is their frontcourt. Both of Nedim and Jovo are experienced players in the league and both now how to dominate the paint. They got Ben Woodside, I think he is one of the best PG's in TBL. Always big fan of Kirk Penney, but sorry Kirk, I think Efes will sweep the series.

Prediction: Efes in 2.

Banvit (3) - Besiktas (6): If Baris Ermis remained as Banvit player for this season too, things would have been better for them. Trusting Kalin Lucas and Safak Edge at the PG position was big mistake. They're lucky to have players like Chuck Davis and Sammy Mejia. But we can say Besiktas made bigger mistakes than Banvit this season. They had really bad foreign player choices. Like Jerrells, Dasic, Christopher and Markota. Only foreign player of Besiktas that I can say positive things is Gasper Vidmar. Banvit has the home-court advantage and home-court advantage always been decisive for play-off series. And I think Banvit will win the series.

Prediciton: Banvit in 3.

Fenerbahce Ulker (4) - Pinar Karsiyaka (5): How awful season for Fenerbahce Ulker so far? Words can't enough. They're the favorites of this series of course with quality and home-court advantage. Fenerbahce is on the market already, searching for head-coach. Most likely Ivkovic will be the new head-coach of Turkish powerhouse for the next season. Fenerbahce 

won the Turkish cup, that is the only thing that we can say positive for them so far at this season. They struggled a lot at the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, finished the Top 16 group worst than Besiktas. Karsiyaka lost to Krasnye Krylia Samara at the final game of EuroChallenge. But they're having really great season, broke the regular season win record of the club (23). If Karsiyaka has the home-court advantage, my prediction will be different. But with quality and home-court advantage, I think that Fenerbahce Ulker will win the series.

Prediction: Fenerbahce in 3.