The new Top Division Men One season is just around the corner!

Alongside the Women’s Basketball World Cup and next week’s 3x3 European Cup in Antwerp, a new season is also about to begin in Belgium’s national men’s competitions. The Top Division Men One and Top Division Men Two campaigns tip off tonight. It is therefore time to take a closer look at some of the favorites and most intriguing teams.

TDM1: who will succeed CB Liège?

Top Division Men One will have a new champion this season. CB Liège, which won both the regular season and the play-offs last year, earned promotion to the BNXT League. The Liège side defeated Guco Lier 2-1 in a thrilling final. As last season’s runner-up, Lier immediately looks like one of the leading candidates to claim the vacant crown.

The team finished second in last season’s regular-season standings and can still count on Andrej Cuyvers and Ferre Vanderhoydonck, two of the competition’s standout players. Young talents such as Vic De Wilde and Tristan Boone have moved on, but Lier strengthened its squad with the additions of Brecht Van Driquelle from LDP Donza and Amaury Marion from Willebroek.

BBC Croonen Lommel should also be considered among the contenders once again. Lommel finished fourth in last season’s regular season before reaching the play-off semi-finals. With point guard Bram Schelkens, center Toon Ceyssens and a deep core of players who know the competition well and have been playing together for a long time, the Limburg club possesses plenty of experience and stability.

Willebroek and Kontich strengthen their squads

One of the most talked-about teams during the summer was Basket Willebroek. The club recruited Roby Rogiers, an experienced center who spent many years competing at the highest level, most recently with the Leuven Bears. Seppe D’Espallier, who previously played in Iceland and for the Kortrijk Spurs, has also joined the team. Finally, Yoeri Schoepen made the move from the BNXT League after winning the title with Antwerp Giants last season. Point guard Terry Deroover also extended his stay in Willebroek for another year.

After finishing eleventh last season, expectations can certainly be higher this time around. Whether Willebroek can immediately compete with the very best remains to be seen, but it is undoubtedly a team that has sparked plenty of curiosity.

Imprenta Kontich Wolves also made a notable signing. The Wolves brought in experienced point guard Augustas Peciukevicius from Kangoeroes Mechelen. The Lithuanian has accumulated plenty of experience both in Belgium and abroad throughout his career. Together with veterans such as Domien Loubry and Yannick Desiron, he can lead a highly experienced team.

It will also be interesting to see what Basket SKT Ieper can produce on the court this season. They recruited Ozzy Massey and Matteo Verstraete, two young players from the BNXT League. With their young and dynamic squad, Ieper have the potential to make a real impact this season.

Melsele-Beveren and Bavi Vilvoorde promoted from TDM2

After just one season in Top Division Men Two, champions Basics Melsele-Beveren secured promotion back to TDM1 last year. Melsele were the dominant team in TDM2 and defeated Bavi Vilvoorde in the final, with Vilvoorde also earning promotion.

Melsele-Beveren also reached last season’s Flemish Cup final, where they were defeated by Falco Gent. The club managed to keep almost its entire squad together and added Milo Hautekeet to the roster. Bavi Vilvoorde recruited Victor Ofili from Kontich, while Anael Ahanda also joined the team.