This is how the Bundesliga club could start the season

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Oldenburg – It is actually said that if the dress rehearsal goes wrong, the premiere will be all the better. However, the EWE Baskets Oldenburg were certainly happy to celebrate their clear 115:88 victory against the Hamburg Towers at this year's “Fan Day” on Sunday, one week before the start of the season.

CLEAR VICTORY AT “FAN DAY”
Baskets Oldenburg beat Hamburg Towers clearly

Impression of Calles

“We played with a lot of energy and had a good shooting percentage, especially in the first half. “But there are still a few things we need to fix,” said Oldenburg coach Pedro Calles before the first competitive game this Saturday (6:30 p.m.) in the first cup round against the Tigers Tübingen. Even though the game against the Bundesliga rivals was “only” a test game, the 5,663 basketball fans in the large arena got a good impression of what to expect in the new season – especially in terms of the starting lineup.

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Point shooter

The role of the playmaker is clearly distributed. After the departure of DeWayne Russell, Geno Crandall now has the reins of playmaking in his hands. The 27-year-old American, who was signed last season and even replaced Max DiLeo as captain this season, is coach Calles' number one point guard and is set in the starting lineup. Behind him, the two Americans Eli Brooks and Justin Jaworski share the work.

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Rifle Guard

Jaworski will initially start alongside Crandall in the position of shooting guard. The 25-year-old has impressed in recent test matches with his steady shot and his qualities as a scorer – in the five test matches in Denmark, Hamburg, Rostock, against Bonn and on Sunday against Hamburg, he was the team's top scorer. Len Schoorman will give Jaworski the breaks he needs. Brooks could also play as a shooting guard alongside a point guard. There is also DiLeo, who was rested in preparation and did not play in any of the five test matches. It is therefore unclear whether he will be in the squad for the start of the season. In the past season, the German-American initially underwent hip surgery. The guard was absent in the final stretch of the season with a bruised knee. Calles basically has five guards at his disposal, who can play on the court in a variety of combinations.

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Small striker

The Spanish coach also has a selection of players on the small wing. Alen Pjanic will probably start as small forward. Behind him, Kyle Rode is ready, although he was absent on Sunday due to injury. Schoormann can also move to the wing. The same applies to the small wing: Calles will decide who can start depending on the opponent and form.

Power forward

The Spaniard is also flexible on the big wing. Seth Hinrichs will probably start. Artur Konontsuk will be his second regular power forward. Pjanic and Rode are also options.

WITHOUT CENTER AGAINST HAMBURG
Tense personnel situation gives Baskets Oldenburg extra task

center

There is still a big question mark over the centers before the start of the season on Saturday. Norris Agbakoko has been out for a few weeks due to a knee injury, newcomer Mathis Dossou-Yovo has only played one test match in Denmark so far, otherwise the Frenchman has been rested. It is quite possible that Hinrichs will start as center against Tübingen if Agbakoko and Dossou-Yovo are missing. Young player Joel Harms (21) started against Hamburg. However, it is unlikely that he will be an option in a competitive match.