Antibes Sharks Coupe de France match against Pau-Orthez, Digi Mart USA News (Antibes, France): “Staying unbeaten at home means a lot to us,” said American wing Kyle Castlin of the Sharks after their 102-77 win over Caen on Friday. The remark seems like an obvious one.
Antibes is 5-for-5 at home across the Coupe and the championship this season, and the club is eager to keep its fans happy.
The Sharks will not give up the fight easily on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. against Pau-Orthez in the French Cup.
The matchup carries a vintage feel, and it comes at a time when Antibes looks renewed.
Antibes will start with a seven-point advantage because of the difference in divisions. The squad, built on a modest budget, already eliminated Roanne (80-78) in the previous round and could still surprise opponents.
However, JD Jackson said, “The priority is the match at Poitiers on Friday.” Playing time will be widely shared tonight, and the Sharks coach may use prospects from the club’s training center. Youri Golitin, the team’s top rebounder early in the season, is out after back surgery last Wednesday and is expected to return around January.
Pau-Orthez, which beat Limoges 85-81 on October 25, battled to a 106-97 overtime loss at Le Mans on Saturday. The Elan, who won the Cup in 2022, see a return to Bercy as a realistic goal.
Coach Mickaël Hay and his players arrived in Antibes Sunday morning after an overnight trip from the Sarthe on the club’s new bus.
Pau is at full strength. Its roster includes Slovenian international scorer Gregor Hrovat, point guard Fabio Milanese, Franco-American rebounder Mballa, captain and sharpshooter Bastien Pinault, and four Americans: Flowers, Maughmer, Middlebrooks and Justin Briggs.
The Elan have plenty of resources, and the challenge will be a difficult one for the Sharks.
