Kazan will host WINLNE Game of the Week between UNICS and Lokomoitv Kuban on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Kazan, Basket-Hall
Time: March 29, 2026, 6:00 PM
Broadcasts: VK Video, League website
Rivalry history
Lokomotiv Kuban and UNICS have played many significant games and series throughout their history. Last season, the top teams battled for third place. The bronze went to the Kazan team, which defeated its rival in 4 games (3-1). The regular season ended with the exact opposite result—the Krasnodar team won the season series 3-1.
The teams set a VTB League record by facing each other in the Playoffs 9 times.
In the 2025/26 season, the two top clubs played 3 games—on October 19, UNICS won at home 74–63, on January 4, the Kazan team secured win in Krasnodar -81-77, and on February 8 got another win over rival on the road – 82-79.
The rivalry history score is – 37-30, UNICS leads.
Situation
UNICS (28-5) is still in contention for first place in the regular season standings, although the loss to BETCITY PARMA has diminished chances —CSKA has 2 more wins (30-3). And yet the battle continues with the regular season entering its final stretch, the Kazan team simply cannot afford another loss. That would leave the contender with only a theoretical chance at the top spot.
Thanks to a recent win in St. Petersburg, Loko (23-11) has closed in on Zenit (24-10), while also holding the rivalry history. The same cannot be said for the season series against UNICS, where the team currently trail 0-3. A win over longtime rival would help the Krasnodar team to take another step toward the 3rd-place.
Signing
UNICS recently announced parting ways with C.J. Bryce, who averaged 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 8 games for the team.
This week, the Kazan team found a replacement. The club signed a 33-year-old guard Xavier Manford. The American guard began the season with Hapoel Holon, averaging 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 11 Champions League games.
Absences
UNICS played its last few games without key players Jalen Reynolds and Alexey Shved. The American returned this week in a mid-season Cup match against Zenit.
For Lokomotiv, the participation of former Avtodor center Alen Hadzibegovic, who has fit in well with the team, is in question.
Preparation
Lokomotiv Kuban flew in for this crucial matchup as early as Thursday, when UNICS faced Zenit in the WINLINE Basket Cup. The Krasnodar team coaching staff attended the game and had the perfect opportunity to scout the opposing team.
Head-to-Head
In the last weekend Game of the Week, Loko defeated Zenit. On Sunday, the Krasnodar team head coach will face off against UNICS coach Velimir Perasovic—the first Balkan derby in February ended with the Croatian specialist win.
Family Ties
UNICS captain Dmitry Kulagin played for Loko from 2017 to 2020. The Kazan team guard Denis Zakharov spent the 2016/17 season with the Krasnodar team.
Last summer, Vince Hunter moved from St. Petersburg to Krasnodar. In 2023, the American guard helped Kazan team win the VTB United League.
Numbers
UNICS leads the League in field goal percentage (56.7%) and free throw percentage (78.8%, tied with Zenit), as well as average rebounds per game (38.7).
Lokomotiv Kuban ranks first in steals—9.3 per game.
Jalen Reynolds (21.8 points, 3rd place), Marcus Bingham (20.8 points, 5th), and Patrick Miller (19.4 points, 9th) are among the League’s best scoring players.
These teams have faced each other more often than any other in the VTB United League.
