The story eventually had a happy ending for the Munich team, but after their 95-89 loss to Bayreuth in the first qualifying game in the BBL Cup was a tough one to swallow after road victories in the EuroLeague at Maccabi and Fenerbahce. The participation in the Munich Top Four in the Audi Dome at home (date still open) seemed to be gambled away for the host team. In the end, however, the MBC helped Bayern to finish first in the group with an unexpected victory over the Upper Franconians. Nevertheless, the FCBB were warned for the next time they were to meet Bayreuth.
The game kicks off just 48 hours after a bad EuroLeague defeat in Milan, with MagentaSport broadcasting from 20:15 on Saturday. Bayern traveled directly to Bayreuth on Friday after arriving at the Frankfurt Airport.
Medi Bayreuth played well against favorites, Alba Berlin and also only narrowly missed a road win (71-69) on the fifth Bundesliga gameday. The current second in the standings Crailsheim, guest at the Audi Dome the Sunday after next (Jan. 31, 18:00), recently had to struggle for a long time at home for an eventual 82-77 victory against Bayreuth. However, the last victory for Medi dates back to the end of December, when they won the rivalry game in Bamberg 73-67.
With a 4-9 record, Raoul Korner's team is now as far away from the relegation places as from the playoff ranks - four points. Top scorer for the hosts is US guard Frank Bartley (16.2 ppg), who shone in the Cup victory over Bayern with 25 points.
Bayern guard D.J. Seeley is slightly familiar with Bayreuth, having played there for a half-season in 2014. Colleague Robin Amaize, on the other hand, will not return to his former club on Saturday; like playmaker Zan Mark Sisko, he will miss some time due to a muscle injury. The comeback of captain Nihad Djedovic, however, is possible as he has again begun training.