Alani Moore II (178-PG-1998, college: Temple) is a 25 year old 178cm guard from Rockville, Maryland playing his second professional season and first in Germany with the EPG Baskets Koblenz averaging 15/4/5 stats. Last season he played with Sanaat Mes Rafsanjan (Iran-Superleague) playing 16 games averaging 18.8ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-3 (4.7apg), Steals-4 (2.3spg), FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 76.9%. He began his pro career with the Houston Push (TBL) averaging 12.5ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 86.1%. He began his basketball career at the Montrose Christian school and also played at Friendship Collegiate Academy. He then played at temple (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 122 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 8.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 28.3%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 86.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 79-78 loss in game 1 to the Basketball Lowen Erfurt.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz suffered a tough 79-78 loss in game 1 to the Basketball Lowen Erfurt. It’s the playoffs and have the opponents become tougher and tougher?

I would say so. They wanted to win as much as we did. They just had a little more fight and smarts then we did.

2 stats are crazy, Koblenz had the 16-7 offensive rebound edge and 5 turnovers to 14 of Erfurt. It’s mind boggling how the team couldn’t have taken better advantage of it.

We had to many careless mistakes. A big problem was not having enough will to get a good shot or the needed urgency to be aware of what we needed to do as well as execute on extra possessions.

You swept the season series against the Basketball Lowen Erfurt. Did they seem to really have come out with a real sense of urgency?

They did come in with real urgency. They did a good job executing their game plan. They pushed the ball well and got many transition points.

How vital was the tough Schwelm playoff series, What do you believe did the club learn from the tight Schwelm series?

We learned that we can’t take anyone lightly. Every team gives us their best punch. The will to win is a lot higher in the playoffs as well as guys being able to make crazy shots.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz didn’t start off bad, but scored 26 points, but still allowed 20 points. Top player Guy Edi had 7 of his 17 points in the first quarter. What makes it so difficult to contain him?

Edi is strong and versatile and a good shooter. We need to switch more aggressively on him and just stay in front of him. He knows how to use his body.

The second quarter was a real battle as you began well but the guests never let up trailing only 47-46. Tyseem Lyles gave the team consistent scoring. What’s the biggest challenge in stopping him?

We need to run him off the line. He is a good shooter and need to make him drive more. He is their main shooter and when he gets going, he gives his team a big boost.

Do you feel like a team like Erfurt got extra confidence after seeing how well Schwelm played against you?

Yes for sure. I’m sure they watched film and saw our flaws.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz had control in the third quarter and then lost it again in the last minutes leading only 62-61. Does the team think too much when they have a7-8 point lead instead of just continuing to play?

Our mentality is a concern. We begin to do things that we normally don’t do. Here and there the ball bounces differently and we have to be prepared for everything and always have the same mentality.

The fourth quarter was a real dog fight. Once again Koblenz had control but allowed the guests to come back. What was key in crunch-time for not being able to pull it out?

They stayed consistent. We tried to do the same. We weren’t as focused as we should have been and looked to much for fouls. We need to be locked in the whole game.

Koblenz shot very bad and now have a another do or die game now only on the road. What will be key to force another do or die game at home?

We have to play our game. We have to show why we were the number one team. We have to play hard and smart. We have to fight the course and have the dog and will to get the win.

Despite the successful season how tough has it been as a player dealing with the pressure and expectations? How have you dealt with it?

It hasn’t been that tough. I take each game the same. I need to step up and I always try to play as hard as I can. I have to get all on the same page and locked in.

Your having a very solid Pro B season with 15/4/5 stats. What has been the biggest challenge for you with your game being on a team where every guy can be a leading scorer on any night?

I play on and off the ball. I try to help as much as I can as a leader. I try to help the bigs, wings and guardswith little things and they do the same with me. I try to be a role model and leader.

What have you appreciated most about Marvin Heckel’s game? How has he helped your game most?

It is great to play with another guard that brings energy and playmaking. That helps take pressure off me. He is a great asset for me and vice versa.

There are some very interesting NBA playoff series with Denver-Phoenix, Boston,-Philadelphia and New York and Miami. Who do you have in these series

I got Phoenix in 6, Boston in 7 and Miami in 6.

Thanks Alani for the chat.

Tags : ALANI MOORE II, EPG BASKETS KOBLENZ, GERMAN BASKETBALL