In the 2021/22 season opening game, UNICS Kazan will play against Lokomotiv-Kuban Krasnodar.
Where: Basket Hall, Kazan, Russia
When: September 23, 2021, 19: 00 (Moscow time)
Broadcasts: Match! Strana, VTB United League Website
Face to face
Loko and UNICS has been playing in the League for a very long time, and it is not surprising that these teams have already met 30 times. The wins ratio is approximately equal: 16 – for Krasnodar team, 14-for Kazan.
In the last season, this duel reached a new level. In March, UNICS did not let the Loko into the EuroCup semi-finals, to which Loko responded with the largest guest win in April and finished the regular season on the 2nd place. In the United League playoffs, the teams came together again: UNICS won 3 consecutive games in the semifinals and left the Southerners without the main series of the year.
In the summer, both teams significantly updated their lineups, but even before the official season start, we managed to see their rival: in the SuperCup, UNICS defeated Loko in the 3rd place game.
How did the teams spend the summer?
UNICS returned to the Euroleague for the first time in 5 years and as expected, updated its roster in the off-season. The main changes took place at the coaching post: Velimir Perasovic replaced Dimitris Priftis. Kazan have pulled off several interesting signings, but the loudest among them was the transfer of Mario Hezonja. The 5th pick of the 2015 NBA draft, who played 5 seasons there and returned to Europe a year ago, has already shown his capabilities in the SuperCup, scoring 27 points against… Lokomotiv-Kuban!
In recent days, Mario is not the man who was being discussed more, but another Kazan rookie, announced on Monday: O. J. Mayo, the 3rd pick of the 2008 NBA draft, will try himself in Europe for the first time. However, the guard may not be in time for the first game of his team in the season.
But in addition to signing legionnaires, the UNICS office has brought in experienced Russians including Andrey Vorontsevich, Viacheslav Zaitsev and Artem Komolov.
Loko also significantly changed the squad – only Alan Williams stayed from last year roster, who will miss the season start due to recovery from injury. This Lokomotiv is a real experiment in which promising Russian youths will unite with strong performers from abroad. Only one Russian in the Kuban team over the age of 22 is Stanislav Ilnitsky. But this does not mean that Loko is going into rebuilding; Krasnodar decided to rejuvenate the squad and did it quickly enough.
In addition, there are enough talented legionnaires. Everyone knows Eric McCollum from playing for UNICS and Khimki, Jonathan Motley and Greg Whittington played in the NBA, Stanton Kidd won the EuroCup with Dariushshafaka not so long ago. Darius Thompson is the Champions League top player of last season with the New Basket Brindisi (Italy).
What can we expect from the game?
As on Sunday at the SuperCup, UNICS will be the game favourite. Kazan are approaching the season in an optimal composition and are waiting for only two newcomers-O. J. Mayo and Jarrell Brantley. The roles in Velimir Perasovic’s team have already been distributed and there are experienced performers in each position. But Loko will miss three bigmen at the start of the season – Alan Williams, Greg Whittington and Stanislav Ilnitsky.
The Krasnodar team will try to play quickly and UNICS will try to slow down the opponents with pressure. At the SuperCup, it was possible: Loko made 31 missed shots with only 35 from the game, and it was unsuccessful actions against the Kazan doubles and defensive traps that led Evgeniy Pashutin team to lose.
It is unlikely that Loko will repeat such a number of mistakes – Darius Thompson will return to the game, and Kuban will value the ball more qualitatively.
Who to follow?
UNICS leader will probably be Mario Hezonja – the Croat already knows how to find the keys to the Lokomotiv-Kuban rim. In the first half of the SuperCup 3rd place game, Loko guarded him well, but after a long break SuperMario did not seem to notice defenders.
Many people are familiar with Eric McCollum playing style, and the American will continue to do his job in Loko: shoot 3-pointers and can go to the rim. But it is worth paying attention to another guard – Darius Thompson. He spends a lot of time with the ball, sees his partners and at the same time can create a moment for himself to attack.
Comments
Velimir Perasovic, UNICS Head Coach:
– We are going to play against a very serious team. After the recent defeat in the SuperCup 3rd place game, Loko promises to show its best basketball. Our opponent has a lot of experienced players with high potential. The game promises to be intense. We are waiting for our fans in the stands and will try to please them with a win.
Evgeniy Pashutin, Lokomotiv-Kuban Head Coach:
– It is important to lock up UNICS leaders. We will guard as aggressively as possible against Spissu and Hezonja, impose a battle under the rim with Brown III. Our task is not to allow Kazan team players to attack freely, only with active defence. To win against such an opponent as UNICS, you need to control the rebound, cherish the ball in offence, punish the opponent for every mistake. In the first official game, we will have a real battle. We are ready for it. We will play to win!
