Pre-game breakdown
The red-and-blues lost the best player of their previous game, Andrey Lopatin. The forward’s test for COVID-19 returned positive results. He is doing good, but stays isolated waiting for the confirmation of the previous test.
The Army Men still don’t count on Semen Antonov, Nikola Milutinov and Janis Strelnieks, who are recovering from the COVID-19.
Johannes Voigtmann who got injured in the game against Avtodor, tried to practice with his teammates before the trip to Istanbul. He is questionable for the game.
CSKA added the CSKA-2 guard Yuri Umrikhin to the team’s Euroleague roster.
This double-week is devoted to the fight against racism. EuroLeague authorities allowed the players to put authorized messages onto their uniforms. SCSKA players decided altogether to use the black patches instead of the names. You were able to see it on the game warmuo clithes, now it will be visible on the screens.
Pre-game quotes
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We respect Fenerbahce a lot, the team has a new coach and new system, and they are undefeated this season so far having won both EuroLeague games and three Turkish league games. We were preparing for the game very seriously despite all obstacles, and we go to Istanbul to fight.
Tornike Shengelia, CSKA forward:
We know that Fenerbahce has a bunch of new guys, but the core of the team remains the same. They have important players on every position, so it is going to be a huge fight against tough opponent. They started the season strong, they are very confident, so we have to go out thetre and give all we have to win the game.
Close “relations”
De Colo returns to Moscow where he spent five seasons as an All-EuroLeague performer for CSKA, helping the team win 2016 and 2019 EuroLeague titles.
Fenerbahce guard Leo Westerman played for CSKA during the 2017-18 season.
Westermann was a teammate of CSKA center Nikola Milutinov’s at Partizan Belgrade for two seasons, from 2012 to 2014.
De Colo and Toko Shengelia were teammates at Valencia Basket during the 2009-10 season and won the 2010 EuroCup title together that season.
Johannes Voigtmann and Fenerbahce’s Danilo Barthel were teammates on the German national team at the 2019 World Cup.
Important numbers
Mike James has made at least 1 three-point shot in 23 straight games.
James has scored in double figures in each of his last 28 games.
Darrun Hilliard has made at least 1 three-point shot in seven straight and 12 of his last 13 games. Darrun Hilliard needs 2 more three-pointers to reach 100 in the EuroLeague.
Tornike Shengelia has had double-digit PIRs in 13 of his last 14 games.
Shengelia has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games.
Tornike Shengelia needs 7 more three-pointers to reach 100 in the EuroLeague.
Shengelia needs 6 more free throws made to reach 400 for his career.
Janis Strelnieks ranks sixth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.9%.
Nikola Milutinov ranks 12th all-time with 376 offensive rebounds. Former CSKA great Mirsad Turkcan is 11th with 385.
Will Clyburn needs 4 more three-pointers to reach 100 in the EuroLeague.
Daniel Hackett needs 5 more free throws made to reach 400 for his career.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 24-11
Short dossier
Fenerbahce Istanbul, Turkey
Founded: 1913
Colors: yellow, dark-blue
Homecourt: Ulker Sports Arena (13800)
President: Azim Yildirim
Head coach: Igor Kokoskov
Website: www.fenerbahce.org
Trophy case: EuroLeague champions (2017), Turkish champions (1991, 2007, 08, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18), Turkish Cup winners (1967, 2010, 11, 13, 16, 19), President’s Cup winners (1990, 91, 94, 2007, 13, 16)
