The week off in Euroleague let to fill the schedule with one of the furthest domestic trips of the year. Taking into account time difference, the Army Men started their day with early practice and then boarded the OrenAir Boeing during lunch time. Three youngest players did not come to Kazakhstan – they are sent to the junior team which will play an important “derby” games at Khimki.
“Astana shows different pictures when it is playing home and away,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “In their arena our next opponents are dangerous, they played good games against Nizhny, Lokomotiv and Khimki. Johnson and Hayes are the pistons of their offense, Calathes and Caner-Medley are two forwards that can threat both from perimeter and on the block. They also play different games with Zhukanenko and Ponomarev at the frontline as both of them can roll and pop. So we are taking this game seriously, we have to be focused and motivated to win the game.”
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 8-0
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular season. CSKA – Astana: 72-54 (+18)
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular season. Astana – CSKA: 69-88 (+19)
2014-15 – VTB United League. Regular season. CSKA – Astana: 89-63 (+26)
2014-15 – VTB United League. Regular season. Astana – CSKA: 60-78 (+18)
2014-15 – VTB United League. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Astana: 103-58 (+45)
2014-15 – VTB United League. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Astana: 110-60 (+50)
2014-15 – VTB United League. Quarterfinals. Astana – CSKA: 75-111 (+36)
2015-16 – VTB United League. Regular season. CSKA – Astana: 102-67 (+35)
Short dossier
BC Astana, Kazakhstan
Founded: 2000
Colors: yellow, blue
Homecourt: SC Velotrack/Saryarka (9.270)
President: Valery Tikhonenko
Head coach: Ramunas Butautas
Website: www.bcastana.kz
Accomplishments: 4-time Kazakhstan champion (2012-15), 4-time Kazakhstan Cup winner (2011-14)
