Team Check - Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Ron Lewis - Belgium)

(Ron Lewis - Mons Basketball Street Festival - Belgium Late August 2010)

Team: Dexia Mons-Hainaut
Country: Belgium
League: Ligue Ethias - BLB (Belgian Basketball League)
Buckeye: Ron Lewis

Ron Lewis (pictured to the left 9.5.2010)was one of the first Buckeyes to depart from the U.S for 2010/2011 overseas play. He did so in late August 2010 en route to Mons, Belgium and club Dexia Mons Hainaut.

A quick peak at Dexia's roster reveals six Americans, most notably Lewis, Shan Foster from Vanderbilt, Justin Cage from Xavier, & Ronell Taylor (Seven of their players have played NCAA Basketball). The head coach is Arik Shivek who is also the current coach of the Israeli National Team.

Most of the players on Mons have good European experience. We have not seen them play yet, but from reading the match reports & fan boards it is a team with potential. Training camp is all about developing a chemistry/consistency to ultimately realize that potential later in the season.

Lewis & Mons have been at it for close to a month now with two-a-day training sessions and a big dose of preparation games. Their preseason has included games against teams from Turkey, France, a tournament in Germany, and even a game vs a U.S University.

The Michigan Wolverines took part in a late August exhibition tour against four teams from the Belgian Basketball League. UM's final game of the trip was against Dexia in Mons' first preseason game of the year (August 26). Ron Lewis lead Mons with 16 points, but UM was able to ride their best outside shooting effort of the tour to a six point victory (80-74) To our knowledge it was Lewis' lone career loss to Michigan. See that is the only way Michigan can defeat a Buckeye..by catching him on another continent :)

Dexia Mons would rebound with wins over tougher squads like Charleville (France), Besiktas (Turkey) & Oldenburg (Germany, Je'Kel Fosters old team).

Mons Preseason Results So far (6-4)

• -8.26.2010 - Dexia Mons 74 Michigan (United States) 80
• -8.28.2010 -Dexia Mons 62 Rouen (France) 73
• -8.29.2010 - Dexia Mons 86 Weert (Netherlands) 81 (Lewis 16pts)
  
• -9.3.2010 - Dexia Mons 79 Charleville (France) 66
  
• -9.4.2010 - Dexia Mons 71 BCM Gravelines (France) 83 (Lewis 22pts)
  
• -9.10.2010 -Dexia Mons 79 Telenet Oostende (Belgium) 78 (2oT)
  
• -9.11.2010 - Dexia Mons 78 Besiktas Istanbul (Turkey) 75
  
• -9.12.2010 -Dexia Mons 74 Baskets Oldenburg (Germany) 64
  
• -9.17.2010 - Dexia Mons 63 Frankfurt Skyliners (Germany) 71 (Lewis 15pts)
  
• -9.18.2010 - Dexia Mons 84 Den Bosch (Netherlands) 66
  

Remaining Pre-season schedule

• -9.22.2010 - Dexia Mons vs Liege Basket (Beligum)
• -9.25.2010 - Fan Night: Dexia Mons vs Boulgne (France)
  

(Lewis vs Besiktas: 9.11.2010 - images Mons)

Before Dexia Mons can get at the Belgian League, they will take part in the important FIBA Eurochallenge qualifiers in late September. Like the Euroleague & Eurocup, the Eurochallenge is another inter-continental competition where teams from different national leagues face off with each other.

Mons is matched up with Polish team Trefel Sopot in the qualifiers..they will play a home & away set on September 28 & October 5.

• -9.28.2010: FIBA EuroChallenge Qualifiers Mons Hainaut (Belgium) vs Trefel Sopot (Poland)
• -10.5.2010: FIBA EuroChallenge Qualifiers Mons Hainuat (Belgium) at Trefel Sopot (Poland)
  

The Belgian League opener will fall in between the Eurochallenge qualifiers with a season opening road game at Aalstar on October 2nd. The teams to look out for the BLB are Antwerp, Liege, Oostende, & defending champion Charleroi.

Regular Season Schedule