One of the League’s remaining unbeaten teams is guaranteed to lose on Sunday. But that’s only one of many storylines to follow this weekend. Dmitry Gerchikov highlights what to watch for on Sunday, with two big matchups on tap: Khimki – UNICS and CSKA – Zenit.
Red-Hot Langford
Wait, are you serious? Are people really questioning whether or not UNICS is worth watching over the weekend? How could you skip out on a team that just took down the Euroleague runners-up? 33-year-old Kazan superstar Keith Langford is so hot right now, he could give any of Europe’s “golden boys” a run for their money, and probably even light up plenty of NBA defenses. After scoring a career-high 36 points in the Euroleague, Langford dropped a VTB United League-record 42 on Tsmoki-Minsk. He capped his week by leading UNICS to a stunning upset over Fenerbahce in Istanbul!
And he might not be done yet. Khimki is a tough opponent, and Langford loves a challenge… He could have something else up his sleeve for Sunday with Kazan looking to take down one of the League’s top contenders.
UNICS is also expected to debut its newest signing in Moscow Region. Orlando Johnson has 103 games in the NBA under his belt and gives Kazan another solid, experienced option at guard. If he adjusts quickly to European basketball, UNICS could boast a very dangerous backcourt indeed.
Khimki has an answer ready. Former Net Markel Brown inked with the club earlier this week and is ready to make an immediate impact.
Clash of Unbeatens
UNICS is also putting its perfect record on the line against Khimki. To be fair, the White-Greens haven’t faced the toughest schedule, but the team did avoid early upsets (unlike last season’s fiasco at home vs. Tsmoki). Khimki, on the other hand, played victim to the first big surprise of the 2016-17 campaign, losing at home to VEF Riga. But Moscow Region has been better in recent weeks and should be ready for Sunday’s showdown.
CSKA vs. Zenit presents another elite matchup. Both teams are undefeated in the VTB United League, with Zenit having only lost once in Europe and CSKA boasting a perfect record in the Euroleague. Of course, the Army Men will be heavy favorites at home. But Vasily Karasev’s club is both deep and talented and brimming with confidence, regardless of the opponent. Could that be enough on Sunday to spring the upset?
Serb vs. Serb
Don’t miss this duel at any cost, even if means flipping the channel during your favorite TV show or pausing a classic movie. Sunday evening features a matchup between the Serbian national team’s starting and back-up point guards. The Balkan nation has taken international basketball by storm in recent years, soaring to podium finishes at the Olympics and World Championships. Now the country’s top playmakers are set to square off in Moscow: Milos Teodosic, the creative genius driving Serbia’s explosive offense and Stefan Markovic, the model of stability, pragmatism, and efficiency. As teammates, they created balance and depth, helping bring the coaching staff’s playbook to life. Now they must face one another on the court. Teodosic and Markovic know each other’s strengths and weaknesses to a fault: Who will take better advantage at the USH CSKA? It should be fascinating to watch.
Battle of Two Capitals
Euroleague champions CSKA boasts two of Europe’s top point guards, terrific power forwards, and athleticism, which the team exploits at high speed. St. Petersburg, which has yet to truly break through as an elite team, emphasizes quickness and athleticism, and loves to push the ball in transition. Dimitris Itoudis won the Euroleague as an assistant and head coach, while Vasily Karasev has more titles as a player than as coach, at least so far. Nornikel vs. Gazprom. Experience vs. youth. Moscow vs. St. Petersburg. It’s like Kipling said: “West is West, East is East.” But, in this case, they will meet… On Sunday.
Basketball Marathon
The best part is that fans will be able to enjoy both games in full measure. The schedule is set up perfectly: Khimki and UNICS tip off at 4:00 PM, then a brief pause, and the two capitals clash in Moscow, beginning at 6:00. On Sunday, you’ve got every right to indulge in a full evening of VTB United League basketball.
Dmitry Gerchikov
