Pre-game breakdown
The coaching staff avoided tough measures after unexpected loss to ALBA. Obviously tired team got two full days off and returned to work on Monday.
Semen Antonov joined his teammates during last practice before the departure as well as Tornike Shengelia who spent last days recovering after food poisoning. Janis Strelnieks also visits practices but he continues to work out individually because COVID-19 made him stop post-injury recovery. So currently only Andrey Lopatin remains isolated because of coronavirus.
There are 13 players on the away roster; CSKA-2 guard Yuri Umrikhin continues working with the main team.
Crvena Zvezda hosts its visitors on the floor of Alexandar Nikolic Hall, previously known as Pionir. It is impossible to play on Stark Arena because it is currently occupied by COVID-19 hospital. Anyway, it is forbidden for the fans to visit sport e vents in Serbia.
The Belgrade team continues to strengthen its roster in the course of the season. Its last additions are legendary scorer Taylor Rochestie as well as two bigs – Emanuel Terry and Johnny O’Bryant.
Pre-game quotes
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
Dimitris Itoudis
Zvezda has a new team, and it’s a team that shows a lot of interest in playing with aggression, full-court press. They have experienced players, who played for years in EuroLeague, other European leagues and the United States. So it will be a difficult task for us. We were practicing with a lot of obstacles, we had players in and out. But it is what it is in this circumstances, we would love to have everyone around so we can build the required chemistry but right now, as I said many times, it is important who we have, who is ready to go and give a fights. We know it’s going to be tough but we will go and fight.
Semen Antonov, CSKA forward:
I feel myself good, the illness passed with almost no symptoms, just a high temperature for several days. I passed the tests after 2-week quarantine and cleared to participate in practices. I worked out individually for some time, and I practiced with the team for the first time today. Obviously, it’s hard, it’s difficult to get back after long absence but we have time and we use this time properly. Zvezda is a good team, they are playing at home. The restrictions work on our side here because they will play with no fans. We have to get back on our path after the loss to Alba. We analyzed the game, we worked on our mistakes so we go to Belgrade to improve our position in standings.
“Relativity” connections
Semen Antonov and Taylor Rochestie were teammates in Nizhny Novgorod for part of 2013-14 and whole 2014-15 season. They led the team to Euroleague Top 16 in 2014-15.
Important numbers
Mike James has made at least 1 three-point shot in 25 straight games.
James has scored in double figures in each of his last 30 games. He ranks second in scoring this season with 19.8 points per game.
Darrun Hilliard has made at least 1 three-point shot in eight of his last nine games.
Tornike Shengelia has recorded a double-digit PIRs in 11 of his last 12 games.
Shengelia ranks fourth this season with 8.0 total rebounds per game and is tied for fourth with 3.0 offensive rebounds per game.
Will Clyburn has recorded at least 1 steal in six consecutive games.
Will Clyburn ranks third in scoring this season with 19.5 points per game.
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.
Darrun Hilliard needs 1 more three-pointer to reach 100 in the EuroLeague.
Tornike Shengelia needs 6 more three-pointers to reach 100 in the EuroLeague.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 14-1
1969-70 – European Champions Cup. Group stage. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 82-85 (+3)
1969-70 – European Champions Cup. Group stage. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 105-92 (+7)
1972-73 – European Champions Cup. Semifinals. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 90-98 (+8)
1972-73 – European Champions Cup. Semifinals. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 100-83 (+17)
1999-00 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 86-62 (+24)
1999-00 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 65-80 (+15)
2015-16 – Euroleague. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 84-74 (+10)
2015-16 – Euroleague. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 77-76 (+1)
2015-16 – Euroleague. Quarterfinals. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 71-78 (+7)
2016-17 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 78-67 (-11)
2016-17 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 102-80 (+22)
2017-18 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 59-85 (+26)
2017-18 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 92-81 (+11)
2019-20 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Crvena Zvezda: 100-74 (+26)
2019-20 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Crvena Zvezda – CSKA: 81-86 (+5)
Short dossier
Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Serbia
Founded: 1945
Colors: white, red
Homecourt: Stark Arena (25.000), Aleksandar Nikolić Hall (8.000)
President: Nebojsa Covic
Head coach: Sasa Obradovic
Website: www.kkcrvenazvezda.rs
Trophy case:
- Cup Winners Cup (1974);
- ABA Champion (2015, 16, 17, 19);
- Yugoslavian champion (1946, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 69, 72, 93, 94, 98);
- Yugoslavian Cup winner (1971, 73, 75);
- Serbian champion (2015, 17, 18, 19);
- Serbian Cup winner (2004, 06, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
