2020–21 ABA League Second Division

ABA League Second Division
Season2020–21
Duration9 November 2020 – 6 May 2021
Teams14
TV partner(s)Arena Sport
Regular season
Top seedMontenegro Studentski centar
Finals
ChampionsMontenegro Studentski centar (1st title)
  Runners-upBosnia and Herzegovina Spars
SemifinalistsSerbia Mladost
Montenegro Podgorica
Finals MVPSerbia Marko Tejić
Statistical leaders
Points Slovenia Blaž Mahkovic 21.2
Rebounds Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš 10.4
Assists Slovenia Daniel Vujasinović 7.1
Index Rating Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš 26.2
Records
Highest scoringMladost 101–107 Zlatibor
(4 March 2021)
Winning streak9 games
Studentski centar
Losing streak10 games
Helios Suns
All statistics correct as of March 28, 2020.

The 2020–21 ABA League Second Division was the 4th season of the ABA Second Division with 14 teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia participating in it. The season has started on 9 November 2020.

The season was the first to be played after the previous season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] In accordance with the COVID-19 situation, it has been determined that the season will be played in new competition format and new calendar.

Teams

A total of 14 teams contested the league, including two representatives from all six ABA League countries. In cases where a club from an individual country does not apply for the 2020–21 season, the empty spot will be filled by awarding wild cards. The first two teams from the previous season, Borac Čačak and Split, were awarded wild cards to compete in the 2020–21 ABA League First Division.[1] On 29 June 2020, the ABA League Assembly confirmed the final list of the 2020–21 season participants.[2]

Team allocation

class=notpageimage|
Location of teams in the 2020–21 ABA League Second Division

The labels in the parentheses show how each team qualified for the place of its starting round:

  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.: National League position
  • WC: Wild card
  • Abd-: League positions of abandoned season due to the COVID-19 pandemic as determined by the leagues
Regular season[2]
Montenegro Sutjeska (Abd-1st) Bosnia and Herzegovina Široki (Abd-2nd) Serbia Sloboda Užice (2nd) North Macedonia MZT Skopje (Abd-1st)
Montenegro Lovćen 1947 (Abd-2nd) Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars (Abd-3rd) Serbia Zlatibor (3rd) North Macedonia Rabotnički (Abd-2nd)
Montenegro Studentski centar (WC) Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka (WC) Serbia Mladost Zemun (WC)
Montenegro Podgorica (WC) Croatia Gorica (Abd-4th) Slovenia Helios Suns (Abd-4th)

In early June 2020, seven clubs contested for four wild cards.[3][4] Later that month, Serbian club Novi Pazar withdrew its bid following failure to meet financial requirements.[5] On 29 June, the ABA League Assembly announced four wild cards recipients, including Sloboda Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Studentski centar (Montenegro), Podgorica Bemax (Montenegro) and Mladost Zemun (Serbia).[2] Teams Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Gostivar (North Macedonia) did not receive the wild card.

Reportedly, Borac Banja Luka received an invitation on 6 October 2020, after Sloboda Tuzla withdrawal.[6][7] On 13 October, the League officially confirmed Borac Banja Luka as the final participant in the 2020–21 season.[8]

Personnel and sponsorship

Team Home city Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Borac Banja Luka Serbia Dragan Nikolić Kelme MMS Code
Gorica Velika Gorica Croatia Josip Sesar Croatia Ivan Majcunić —
Helios Suns Domžale Slovenia Dejan Jakara Slovenia Aljaž Bratec Spalding Helios, Triglav
Lovćen 1947 Cetinje Montenegro Petar Jovanović Montenegro Nikola Borilović Macron —
Mladost MaxBet Belgrade Serbia Dragan Jakovljević Serbia Marko Milenković Champion MaxBet
MZT Skopje Aerodrom Skopje North Macedonia Darko Radulović North Macedonia Damjan Stojanovski Givova UNIBanka
Podgorica Podgorica Montenegro Zoran Kašćelan — Master, Bemax
Rabotnički Skopje North Macedonia Dimitar Mirakovski North Macedonia Kiril Nikolovski —
Sloboda Užice Serbia Oliver Popović Serbia Stefan Simić Ardu Sport mts
Spars Sarajevo Montenegro Miodrag Kadija No1 Number 1
Studentski centar Podgorica Serbia Nenad Trajković Spalding VOLI, Moj Lab
Sutjeska Nikšić Serbia Velimir Gašić Montenegro Boris Lalović EP CG
Široki Široki Brijeg Croatia Damir Vujanović Bosnia and Herzegovina Jure Zubac Ardu Sport Kandit
Zlatibor Čajetina Serbia Strajin Nedović Serbia Bogdan Riznić Boje i fasade Maxima

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing manager Date of vacancy Position in table Replaced with Date of appointment Ref.
Podgorica Montenegro Vladan Radović May 2020 Off-season Montenegro Zoran Kašćelan May 2020 [9]
Sutjeska Montenegro Zoran Glomazić 17 July 2020 Serbia Velimir Gašić 17 July 2020 [10]
Lovćen 1947 Montenegro Zoran Kašćelan May 2020 Montenegro Petar Jovanović 3 August 2020 [9][11]
Široki Croatia Hrvoje Vlašić August 2020 Croatia Damir Vujanović 6 August 2020 [12]
Sloboda Serbia Vladimir Lučić 1 November 2020 Serbia Oliver Popović 1 November 2020 [13]
Borac Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina Marko Šćekić 3 December 2020 6th (2–2) Serbia Dragan Nikolić 3 December 2020 [14][15]
Spars Bosnia and Herzegovina Nedim Džemić 31 December 2020 7th (2–2) Montenegro Miodrag Kadija 2 January 2021 [16][17]
MZT Skopje Aerodrom North Macedonia Gjorgji Kočov 14 March 2021 4th (6–4) North Macedonia Darko Radulović (interim) 14 March 2021 [18]

Venues

The Regular season was divided in four tournaments. The first tournament was held in Čajetina, Serbia.[19] The second tournament was held in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[20] The third tournament was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina while the fourth was held in Čajetina.[21] The playoffs will be held in Podgorica, Montenegro.[22]

Zlatibor, Čajetina
2020–21 ABA League Second Division (Yugoslavia)
 Sarajevo
STC Zlatibor – Wai Tai Arena Hills Sports Hall
Capacity: 2,500[23] Capacity: N/A
Banja Luka Podgorica
Borik Sports Hall Morača Sports Center
Capacity: 3,060[24] Capacity: 6,000

Regular season

The Regular season was split in four tournaments with two tournaments featuring four rounds and the last one five rounds. It will be played in a round-robin system and after 13 rounds there will be Playoffs with eight teams and Play-out with four teams.[19]

The first tournament of four rounds took place between 9 November and 18 November 2020 in Čajetina, Serbia. The Croatian club Gorica missed the first tournament due to records of several COVID-19 positive players within their team.[25] The second tournament of three rounds took place between 18 January and 24 January 2021 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[20] The Macedonian club Rabotnički missed the second tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic situation and the restrictions.[26]

The third tournament of three rounds was held from 1–7 March 2021 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[21]

League table

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Montenegro Studentski centar 13 12 1 1119 966 +153 25 Advance to the Playoffs
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 13 10 3 1013 934 +79 23
3 Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka 13 9 4 1051 980 +71 22
4 Serbia Mladost MaxBet 13 8 5 1077 1030 +47 21
5 North Macedonia MZT Skopje Aerodrom 13 8 5 1048 986 +62 21
6 Montenegro Podgorica 13 7 6 991 1023 −32 20
7 Serbia Zlatibor 13 6 7 960 1002 −42 19
8 Serbia Sloboda Užice 13 6 7 988 1002 −14 19
9 Bosnia and Herzegovina Široki 13 5 8 959 986 −27 18
10 Croatia Gorica 13 5 8 619 658 −39 18
11 North Macedonia Rabotnički 13 5 8 774 871 −97 18 Advance to the Playout
12 Montenegro Lovćen 1947 13 5 8 990 1072 −82 18
13 Montenegro Sutjeska 13 4 9 1037 1064 −27 17
14 Slovenia Helios Suns 13 1 12 900 952 −52 14
Source: ABA2

Positions by round

First place & advance to the playoffs
Advance to the playoffs
Advance to the playout
Team ╲ Round12345678910111213
Montenegro Studentski centar1111111111111
Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars7237526443332
Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka8426684232223
Serbia Mladost Maxbet57118875365554
North Macedonia MZT Skopje Aerodrom9642237524445
Montenegro Podgorica6964358989766
Serbia Zlatibor3375463757887
Serbia Sloboda Užice11853742676678
Bosnia and Herzegovina Široki2591213109898999
Croatia Gorica13141414141412121311111110
North Macedonia Rabotnički141189101213131113131311
Montenegro Lovćen 1947410121391111101012121212
Montenegro Sutjeska1212131011910111210101013
Slovenia Helios Suns10131011121314141414141414
Source: ABA2

Results

Home \ Away BOR GOR HEL LOV MLA MZT POD RAB SLO SPA STC SUT ŠIR ZLA
Borac — — 79–74 90–71 — — 98–78 — — 88–90 87–79 100–93 — 93–70
Gorica 0–20 — — — 69–76 — — 20–0 0–20 — — 92–82 — 72–57
Helios Suns — 20–0 — — 77–80 69–70 85–87 66–67 75–84 — — — 72–77 —
Lovćen 1947 Bemax — 78–80 78–71 — 80–78 55–96 — — — — 64–83 — 75–66 —
Mladost Maxbet 91–83 — — — — — — 89–73 87–89 92–77 — 80–90 — 101–107
MZT Skopje Aerodrom 99–75 77–73 — — 75–82 — 72–74 84–82 70–81 — — 92–73 — —
Podgorica — 65–72 — 83–76 71–79 — — 70–76 — 75–80 — — — 79–76
Rabotnički 77–82 — — 82–77 — — — — 87–77 0–20 — 84–62 — 0–20
Sloboda 83–89 — — 92–95 — — 51–63 — — 92–90 86–94 81–78 — 67–79
Spars — 85–84 90–73 82–76 — 76–68 — — — — 77–78 — 93–80 —
Studentski centar — 61–59 83–78 — 65–59 92–75 100–82 98–69 — — — — 98–62 —
Sutjeska — — 77–67 — — — 75–80 79–69 — 62–71 94–100 — 84–66 78–82
Široki 75–67 20–0 — — 76–83 73–80 83–84 75–82 95–85 — — — — —
Zlatibor — — 80–73 90–99 — 71–90 — — — 66–82 74–88 — 88–80 —
Source: ABA2
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Playoffs

Main article: 2021 ABA League Second Division Playoffs

Based on the results and position of the clubs in the standings after the regular season, Playoffs will take place with teams from 1st to 8th position. The Quarterfinals will be played in knockout pairs 1–8, 2–7, 3–6, 4–5. The winners of the Quarterfinals will qualify to the Semifinals and the winners of the Semifinals will play the Final.[19]

The playoff tournament will be held in Podgorica, Montenegro between 19 April and 6 May 2021.[22]

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinals
 
                
 
19–21 April
 
 
3 Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka9065155
 
23–25 April
 
6 Montenegro Podgorica 8677 163
 
6 Montenegro Podgorica6459123
 
19–21 April
 
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars7274 146
 
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars7982161
 
4–6 May
 
7 Serbia Zlatibor8274 156
 
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars8972161
 
20–22 April
 
1 Montenegro Studentski centar9971 170
 
4 Serbia Mladost MaxBet9586181
 
24–26 April
 
5 North Macedonia MZT Skopje Aerodrom7592 167
 
4 Serbia Mladost MaxBet8566151
 
20–22 April
 
1 Montenegro Studentski centar8676 162
 
1 Montenegro Studentski centar9690186
 
 
8 Serbia Sloboda Užice9280 172
 

Playout

Based on the results and position of the clubs in the standings after the regular season, Playout would take place with teams from 11th to 14th position. The Playout would be played in knockout pairs 11–14, 12–13. The defeated teams would play for the final 13th and 14th places in the standings.[19] On 3 April 2021, the playout tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

Four clubs, Lovćen 1947, Rabotnički, Sutjeska, and Helios Suns, were qualified for the tournament.

Promotion playoffs

The 13th placed team of the First Division season and the runners-up of the Second Division season will play in the Qualifiers for a spot in the next First Division season.[27]

Qualified clubs
Leagues Clubs
First Division Croatia Split
Second Division Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars

Results

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Split Croatia 2–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 70–76 84–64 90–60

MVP List

MVP of the Round

Round Player Team PIR
1 Montenegro Miloš Popović Montenegro Lovćen 1947 33
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 33
3 United States Femi Olujobi North Macedonia MZT Skopje Aerodrom 33
4 United States Trey Drechsel Serbia Mladost Zemun 46
5 Serbia Nikola Tanasković Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka 29
6 Serbia Đorđe Milošević Montenegro Sutjeska 32
7 United States Trey Drechsel Serbia Mladost Zemun 43
8 Croatia Dario Drežnjak Bosnia and Herzegovina Široki 50
9 Bosnia and Herzegovina Amar Gegić Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 40
10 United States Aaron Thomas Bosnia and Herzegovina Široki 27
11 Montenegro Miloš Popović Montenegro Lovćen 1947 35
12 Croatia Filip Bundović North Macedonia Rabotnički 37
13 Bosnia and Herzegovina Amar Gegić Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 30
QF1 Serbia Dušan Tanasković Serbia Mladost Zemun 31
QF2 Serbia Novak Musić Montenegro Podgorica 38
SF1 Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 26
SF2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 35
F1 Serbia Marko Tejić Montenegro Studentski centar 27
F2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Kenan Kamenjaš Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 26

Source: ABA 2 League

See also

2020–21 domestic competitions

References

  1. ^ a b "Conclusions of the ABA League j.t.d. Assembly". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Conclusions of the ABA League j.t.d. Assembly - 29 June 2020". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Još dva bh. kluba traže mjesto u novoj sezoni ABA 2 lige". sport.novi.ba. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Kako se popunjavaju ABA lige i kome ide "wild card"?". MONDOBA. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  5. ^ "Novi Pazar odustao od Aba lige 2". bhbasket.ba. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  6. ^ "ZVANIČNO U Borac došla pozivnica za drugu ABA ligu". Srpskainfo (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  7. ^ "ZVANIČNO: Banjaluka dobila predstavnika na Jadranu! Borac će igrati Drugu ABA ligu!". mondo.ba. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Borac Banja Luka enters ABA League 2". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Zoran Kašćelan: Više nisam trener Lovćena". bhbasket.ba. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Velimir Gašić preuzeo Sutjesku". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  11. ^ "PETAR JOVANOVIĆ NOVI TRENER LOVĆENA, VRBICA I POPOVIĆ PRODUŽILI UGOVORE". cetinjskilist.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Damir Vujanović is the new head coach of Široki". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Popović preuzeo Slobodu, Lučić se iz Užica seli na klupu Vršca". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Banjalučki Borac smijenio trenera, već poznato i ime njegovog nasljednika". sport1.oslobodjenje.ba. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Nikolić zamijenio Šćekića". glassrpske.com. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Posljednjeg dana 2020. godine rastali se Sparsi i Realway!". sportsport.ba. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Kadija replaces Džemić on Spars bench". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  18. ^ "MZT Skopje Aerodrom and head coach Đorđi Kočov part ways". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d "Announcement on the ABA League 2 2020/21 season competition format". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Second Regular Season Tournament to take place in Banja Luka". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Third regular season tournament to take place in Sarajevo". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  22. ^ a b c "The 2021 ABA League 2 Playoffs to take place in Podgorica". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Sportska ponuda u STC Zlatibor". stczlatibor.rs. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Спортска дворана "Борик"". scborik.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Gorica unable to attend Zlatibor tournament". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Rabotnički unable to attend the start of the Banja Luka tournament". druga.aba-liga.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  27. ^ "It's time for ABA 2!". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 9 November 2020.