European Kazan

The Army Men get ready for one of the most difficult games in the VTB United League regular season first leg. Hot UNICS visited Moscow.

“UNICS overcame coaching change recently and got on a roll after that,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “Now they have 5 victories in a row and all of them coming in key games against Efes, VEF, Real, Astana and Sassari. So they are in good mood, self-confident and dangerous. Big part of their offense comes off the hands of Jerrells and Langford, who are very good one-on-one players, they can score by themselves or create for the teammates. Zisis is a great playmaker, who has experience, who can read the defense, play smart basketball. As well as Kaimakoglu, all-around forward, able to shoot, to pass, to post-up. Fisher plays well recently, he was named Euroleague Weekly MVP after last game. And I should also say about the depth of the bench, because Kazan has two excellent players on every position. Jerrells, who was mentioned above, is coming of the bench, where they also have Panin, Antipov and many others. So I ask all the fans to come to the gym and support us. Every voice, every applause counts. Your support will definitely help us in this difficult game.”

The red-blues’ roster is not expected to change. Manuchar Markoishvili will join team scrimmages soon but now he continues to practice individually – as well as Milos Teodosic. Victor Khryapa and Alexey Zozulin continue their rehab after injuries.