Duel between the table neighbors: MBC meets Vechta in the key game!

On Saturday evening, January 10, 2025, there will be an exciting duel between the table neighbors in the easyCredit BBL. The SYNTAINICS MBC welcomes RASTA Vechta at 8 p.m. in an important game on matchday 16. The MBC is currently in eleventh place, while Vechta is in tenth place. Both teams started 2025 with defeats: MBC lost its first game 89:92 against ratiopharm ulm and Vechta lost 83:87 against the Rostock Seawolves.

The SYNTAINICS MBC has a record of 7:7 wins, while RASTA Vechta has 6:6 wins in two games less. A win in the upcoming game is crucial, as tenth place in the table qualifies for participation in the play-ins for the last two playoff places. Historically, MBC has won two of five Bundesliga guest games in Vechta, most recently on November 30, 2019 with 88:84. However, MBC suffered defeats in the last two meetings between these two teams.

Team news and player changes

The MBC head coach, Janis Gailitis, can rely on his best players, which gives hope for a successful performance. An important player returning is Spencer Reaves, who played for RASTA Vechta last season. Vechta recently has the opportunity to fully concentrate on the Bundesliga after the team was eliminated from both the Champions League and the BBL Cup. In the Vechta team, five players from the previous season have renewed their contracts: Joel Aminu, Ryan Schwieger, Johann Grünloh, Joschka Ferner and Luc van Slooten. However, MVP candidate Tommy Kuhse has left the team and is now playing in Italy.

RASTA Vechta's playing statistics are impressive: Tyger Campbell leads the game with an average of 5.2 assists per game. Top scorer Brandon Randolph has scored 17.8 points per game, while Jayden Garner is the league's second-best rebounder, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game. Johann Grünloh is also the best throw blocker in the Bundesliga with 1.9 blocks per game. Rookie center Isaiah Cozart is also making his comeback from injury after posting 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Vechta is coached by Martin Schiller, the coach of the German U20 national team.

In the last round of the competition, the MBC triumphed over the Bamberg Baskets with 99:94, setting a club record for the sixth win in a row. It was the first home win against Bamberg in over 15 years. Spencer Reaves and Michael Devoe scored 24 and 20 points, respectively, while the team hit 63% of its three-point shots.

On the same match day, RASTA Vechta secured a 96:93 win against ALBA Berlin, which meant the team's third win in a row and improved the record to 4-4. Jaydon Gardner scored 25 points and 13 rebounds in this exciting duel.