It was just a preseason game in September but Olimpia, in Castelletto Ticino, was really fun to watch on its way to a spectacular 106-72 dominating win over Varese. Olimpia hit its three-point shots, run the floor, was defensively aggressive and never raise the pedal even when the game was already locked. The game plan execution, the aggressiveness, and the approach were the most significant and promising aspects of the night. More than the surreal, and in some ways not sustainable shooting percentages. Kuzminskas, Bertans, Micov were on fire all night long. Olimpia built an early lead and never looked back, at some point leading by more than 40 points. Mike James was great, won the MVP trophy but much more than his 19 points it’s his passing that deserves notice. He had 10 of them. Amedeo Della Valle, one of the few who wasn’t supported by the percentages, defended well and dished nine assists, for example. Olimpia played without Nemanja Nedovic, Andrea Cinciarini, Christian Burns and Curtis Jerrells, the last one nursing a minor foot injury. The next game will be played in Lucca on Friday night against Torino. Gudaitis and Kuzminaks will miss that game too because their commitment with the Lithuanian National Team.

Olimpia Milano-Varese 106-72

A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano: James 19 (1/3, 5/9, 10 ast), Waller 3 (1/7 3pt), Bertans 9 (3/5 3pt), Della Valle 9 (2/3, 1/5, 9 ast), La Torre (0/1 3pt), Fontecchio 9 (2/3, 1/3), Micov 18 (1/3, 5/7), Tarczewski 4 (2/3, 6 reb), Gudaitis (5 reb), Kuzminskas 21 (1/1, 6/9), Ortner 6 (2/4), Brooks 8 (1/1, 2/2, 6 reb). Coach: Pianigiani.

Openjobmetis Varese: Archie 9, Moore 6, Avramovic 4, Iannuzzi 6, Natali, Bertone 10, Scrubb 13, Verri, Tambone 11, Cain 8, Bertoglio, Ferrero 5. Coach: Caja