Basketball – N1F Playoffs. Alençon opposed two monuments of French basketball

From Dauphiné to Lyonnais. From Promenade des Anglais to Rock.

After Voiron and Nice last season, USBD Alençon (Orne) travels to Villeurbanne and Monaco for playoffs of accession to Women’s League 2.

Scores at all levels

If the Isérois had let their experience speak for themselves and the Azuréiennes their homogeneity, a different trend emerges, with two teams focused on offensive game.

What Étienne De Bie, former assistant coach of Fayssal Rhennam in Alençon and currently holds the same position at Geispolsheim, a team that plays in the same group as the Blacks’ future opponents, confirms: “the numbers speak for themselves. The average score in this group is high.

Villeurbanne and Monaco score more than 70 points per game.

A completely different face

And to continue: “It is in opposition to the group where Alençon is, rather focused on defense. »

A divergence of styles that can be explained by “the playing philosophy carried by the coaches. »

De facto, no surprise when the reserve coach of the Alsace team engaged in NF3, states that the two squads have a strong offensive inclination, but in different registers.

Monaco has four players capable of scoring 20 points or more per game, and two others capable of scoring 15 points or more. They are comfortable offshore and trigger quickly.

Not surprising when we know that a possession rarely goes beyond 18 seconds, thus generating a larger amount per encounter. Hence the scores.

Villeurbanne leans in

For the Lyon suburbs, the offensive threat is in the paint.

Villeurbanne has four interior players with strong physical impact. They see a lot inside to fix and damage.

Not forgetting that Gones also benefits from a back base that is “capable of shooting”. »

The consequence of this condition can be the tendency not to worry about defensive tasks.

The Lyon defense can destabilize

There is also a difference between the two formations. “Defensively, Villeurbanne offers many arrangements, especially inside. It is diverse and varied, especially during the same match. This can destabilize the opponent. »

With their front line, the Monegasque team has a more academic approach to this sector of the game, and is more “stereotypical”. »

To say that this is neglected is a mistake, but the “ability to know and be able to score” generates “confidence”, which allows the players in the principality to be less concentrated, less worried, less determined in protecting their basket.

Le Havre, the X factor

If the best defense is offense, the original Vimonasterian does not hesitate to disprove this preconceived idea.

It may be easier to prevent an attack than to blow up a well-established defense. It is a certainty.

“A well-established defense is difficult to manage because it relies on bases while the offense, with its skills, can vary. »

And to lead towards Le Havre, which will follow Alençon. “It is a team that plays well defensively and, despite its negative record (0 wins for 2 losses), is capable of promotion to Ligue 2.”

A precious ally for Alençon

If such a scenario were to occur, it would mean that Seinomarines would have won, at least three matches. “There will be four big opponents, but I am looking more broadly. »

I tell myself that Le Havre will be an asset for Alençon, unlike Nantes-Rezé last year, which did not win a single game.

“Which favored Nice and Voiron. The people of Le Havre will certainly use it. »

Before a happy epilogue there is always a prologue, in this case a few stages to compete and above all to win.

Next match: Villeurbanne – USBD Alençon, Saturday 20 April, at 20:00.

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