A new season in TDM1: what do you need to know?

After a busy month of August with the Belgian Cup, the clubs in Top Division Men 1 & 2 kick off their league competition this weekend. In this article, we take a look ahead at the TDM1 season.

Can LDP Donza make it three in a row?

Let’s recap. Last year, LDP Donza came out of nowhere and, after a fairly unremarkable regular season, the team—then coached by Jan Guns—brought its A-game during the Playoffs, advancing past Comblain and Waregem to the final against Guco Lier. Guco took the first game, but Donza came back to win Game 2 and the decisive third game on the road. That sealed their second consecutive title—something that hadn’t happened in a very long time.

This year, Donza enters the season with a new coach, Jeffrey Nolmans, but almost the same roster. The only departure was big man Sander Van Caeneghem, who hung up his shoes. Can the East Flemish side pull off a historic three-peat, or will they miss Van Caeneghem’s size too much?

Can CB Liège deliver on its sky-high ambitions?

In the offseason, Mailleux Comblain changed its name to CB Liège. With a new name, new management, and the ambition to bring Liège back to the top tier as soon as possible, coach Ludovic Humblet’s squad looks like one of this year’s favorites. Former Belgian Lion Maxime De Zeeuw stayed on board, along with key players Clément Matisse and Ioann Iarochevitch. They also landed a big name in Olivier Troisfontaines and brought in Mathis Bizimana, top scorer from Neufchâteau. Maxime Depuydt, however, moved to BC L’9 Flénu.

It’s clear that CB Liège, with renewed energy, a wealth of experience, and plenty of size, will be a team to watch.

Kontich Wolves start the season significantly strengthened

Kontich Wolves had a fairly invisible season last year and decided to make a splash in the transfer market. They signed Domien Loubry—who had a strong season in the BNXT League with Kangoeroes Mechelen—and Yannick Desiron from Brussels. They also brought in Joeri Vermoesen from Avanti Brugge. With these experienced additions, Kontich seems determined to make noise in the Playoffs this year.

Promoted Basket Willebroek enters with ambition

Last season, Basket Willebroek claimed the TDM2 title and returns to the second-highest level for the first time in years. Part of the core remained, but they also added reinforcements in key positions.

They signed guard Terry Deroover—known for his deadly shooting—from BNXT team Brussels and added athletic forward Amaury Marion from Royal IV. Energy spark and X-factor Arno Mollekens made the move from Gembo, while Lucien Sissoko joined from Melsele, though he tore his ACL in August. One thing is certain: Willebroek has no intention of finishing near the bottom after their promotion.

Or will established powers prevail again?

Several TDM1 teams seem like permanent fixtures at the top and once again look poised to compete for the title.

BBC Falco Gent has been one of the top teams in recent years but saw major roster changes in the offseason. Players like Thibaut Platteeuw, Jasper Unal, Ozzy Massey, and Thibaut Tshienda departed, while reinforcements came in the form of Wouter Willems (Leuven Bears), Joren Vermoesen (Avanti Brugge), and Salim Kediambiko (Antwerp Giants). Can Falco contend for trophies again, relying on their trademark tough defense?

On the other end of the spectrum, G&V Breakpoint Basket Waregem was all about offense last season. They finished the regular season on top, and assistant coach Stoffel Castelein has taken over from outgoing coach Jeroen Debaveye. A big plus: TDM1’s top scorer, Mathieu Coucke, stayed on for another season, but the rest of the squad looks quite different. New faces include Maarten Vandenbossche (Antwerp Giants), Dylan Delobbe (Woluwé), and a wave of youngsters from Kortrijk Spurs.

Guco Lier has also been a top contender in recent years, and coach Steve Ibens’ squad looks ready to compete again with an almost unchanged core. The Van Den Bogaert brothers retired, but young talents Vince Van Cleemput (Antwerp Giants) and Lukas De Ridder (via Kangoeroes) joined the roster. Star player Andrej Cuyvers remains the team’s go-to guy and could top the scoring charts again this season.

Finally, Basket SKT Ieper and Croonen Lommel will also be teams to watch. Ieper lost key wing Matteo Verstraete to Union Mons and will miss 7-footer Jesse Waleson as well. But they added Noah Gebbert (Waregem), Thibaut Platteeuw (Falco), and Luka Kujundzic as replacements. Croonen Lommel endured a disastrous season last year due to a string of injuries, preventing them from being competitive. This year, they’re back at full strength with new additions Toon Ceyssens (Limburg United) and Louis Baertsoen (Mons-Hainaut). Expect Lommel to make some noise.

And we haven’t even mentioned Gembo Borgerhout, Avanti Brugge, Spirou Basket B, Neufchâteau, United Woluwé, and Antwerp Giants B…

One thing is clear: TDM1 basketball will be at an incredibly high level this season. With plenty of BNXT talent, an extra competitive team in the league, and no real weak squads, every game will be a battle for points. And we get to enjoy it from the front row!