Pre-game breakdown
The Army Men had a day off after win against Khimki but actually almost all players were in the gym for the individual practice.
Mikhail Kulagin (foot) is still out for CSKA. The coaching staff will decide on the pair of “extra” foreigners on the game day.
Word to the coach
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
UNICS is a team of high quality that has been proved during the year. They also had 8 days to prepare for the game, which is very different in comparison to our situation, we had just one day in fact. But it is what it is, this is a fight for the first position. We proved that when it is tough, we are ready for that, and I trust my team.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 76-18
CSKA biggest margin of victory: 102-54 (+48) (1997-98 Russian Championship. Quarterfinal)
UNICS biggest margin of victory: 113-77 (-36) (2000-01 Russian Superleague. Regular season. 2nd stage)
Games of VTB United League 2017-18 Regular Season:
11-Feb-2019. UNICS – CSKA: 71-68 (-3)
Short dossier
UNICS Kazan
Founded: 1991
Color: green, black, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Evgeny Bogachev
Head coach: Dimitrios Priftis
Website: www.unics.ru
Trophy case:
- EuroCup winner (2011),
- FIBA Europe League winner (2004),
- 4-time Russian League runner-up (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007),
- 6-time Russian League bronze winner (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011),
- NEBL champion (2003),
- 3-time Russian Cup winner (2003, 2009, 2014),
- 3-Russian Cup runner-up (2005, 2007, 2010),
- 3-time VTB United League runner-up (2010, 2012, 2016)
