There was no match this Saturday at Beaublanc between Limoges CSP and BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque. The Maritimes took the Limougean tide throughout this match of the 10th day of the French Elite basketball championship won 100 to 48 by the players of Massimo Cancellieri.
The meeting: a one-sided match
After conceding a 6-0 at the very start of the match, Limoges CSP left nothing easy for their opponent. Aggressive for 40 minutes in defense, the Limougeauds were also able to count on a good address at 3 points to make a significant gap and lead by 30 points at the break (54-24). On returning from the locker room, rebelote. The players of Massimo Cancellieri, the knife between the teeth, made live a hell to the northerners. Like an aggressive Assane Ndoye on both sides of the field and who for his first official match with Limoges offered himself the luxury of finishing top scorer in the game with 19 points to his credit.
The fit man: promising 1st for Assane N’Doye
After Thursday’s training session, Massimo Cancellieri thought he would not play him. But his first entry into play on Saturday night convinced his coach to use it for 20 minutes against BCM. The time for him, while he was only playing his first championship game with the CSP, to score 19 points, take 4 rebounds and deliver 2 assists to finish at 22 evaluation. Not far from the 30 evaluation of a still huge Massinburg. The other returning Gerry Blakes was not on the scoresheet.
The day without: Brandon Taylor did not see the light of day
The BCM leader did not find the solutions to help his team get out of the permanent aggressiveness of the Limougeauds. With only 3 points and 7 lost balls, he finished at -4 evaluation and with him on the floor, his team is at -41. Very far from the expected return for a US leader, even on a bad night.
The statistic: 27 assists
Before this match, it was clear that Limoges CSP had to show their collective superiority to win against the individuals of Gravelines. The 27 assists for 11 lost balls show that the Limougeauds have perfectly shared the ball and have won as a team. With in the end a huge differential in the collective evaluation. 137 to 28. Impressive.
Statements:
Massimo Cancellieri, Limoges CSP coach : “It was a very good game. Intensity. The approach. Attitudes. Whatever I ask for every day, they put it on the ground. We knew we were up against a very good team. So the first thing is to be aggressive like we did at the start. Then we had to do other things. And I’m very happy with that. We played our basketball. In attack and defense. All the credit goes to the team. To them all. We defended well for 40 minutes. We limited their best players. We forced them to lose a lot of balls. And we were able to run. This is what we want to do. The tempo of the meeting is exactly what we wanted. We moved the ball very quickly. As soon as we don’t move the ball fast enough, we’re in trouble“.
Assane Ndoye, Limoges CSP winger : “It was pretty bad especially since I was tired of being on the side to watch my teammates. I was hungry for basketball. I think I showed it. I didn’t want to impose myself but let the game come to me. The approach is to be flawless defensively and then the game comes to you. This is what happened. My teammates helped me to be well in the game. They helped me a lot to come back. I am very happy with this victory. It’s a good team victory“.
JD Jackson, Gravelines trainer : “I don’t want to look for an excuse. We are not on 2 but 3 weeks of truce. It is perhaps normal that we start without rhythm. We made a change of injured player. It is sure that it can be a little rough in attack on a 1st quarter time. But to let go of all his basketball, his aggressiveness. Suffer at this point. This is the first time of the season that we have been dominated like that. We knew it was an ultra aggressive, very defensive and physical team. There is no reason for this lack of revolt and collective solution. We’re gonna get these boys back to work. We can no longer endure a match like that. It is not possible“.
Brandon Taylor, Gravelines leader : “The more aggressive team won. We weren’t ready. We did not compete with their high intensity throughout the game. Starting with me. Today the best team won. We must be better including me“.
As an aside: Pierre Fargeaud will leave the club at the end of the season
The current CEO of Limoges CSP Pierre Fargeaud will leave the club at the end of the season. As revealed by our colleagues from the Populaire du Center, he confirmed it at the microphone of France Bleu Limousin during the special program on the 40 years of Beaublanc offered this Saturday before the match against Gravelines.