A match of prestige

Regardless of the circumstances

Based on the results of the final round, neither CSKA will move from second place, nor UNICS from third. Nevertheless, the meeting of the champions of the last two seasons will certainly be tense. This is a question of both prestige and some psychological advantage, because the teams may well meet again soon - in the playoff semifinals.

The team prepared seriously - in full force and in the usual mode. This morning the team worked in Krylatskoye, and by lunchtime they had already flown to Kazan on a regular Aeroflot flight.

"Meetings with UNICS are always intense, regardless of the circumstances," noted CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis. “This is a classic VTB League matchup, and I hope the fans will enjoy the upcoming game."

Strengthening before the playoffs

Third place in the group stage obviously did not instill optimism in the hearts of UNICS fans. Surely, the management and coaches of the "greens" felt the same way, and they eventually decided to make personnel changes. "At the last minute," the club from the capital of Tatarstan changed two foreigners: injured point guard Tony Taylor and "big man" Louis Labeyrie went home. They were replaced by a pair of "small" scorers. Former CSKA player Darrun Hilliard, who played for the Breogan in Spain, and diminutive defenseman Marcus Keane, who moved from the Maroussi, Greece, have been called upon to help the team in the playoffs.

Before reinforcements arrive, the leaders of Kazan are two other members of the back court – Marcos Knight (16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals) and Devon Akoon-Purcell (16.4 points). Jalen Reynolds, who spends less than 20 minutes on the court from the bench, but averages 14.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, is a contender for Sixth Man award in the League. After Labeyrie’s dismissal, we can expect that the already important role of CSKA youth team graduate Andrei Lopatin (6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds in 20.5 minutes) will increase.

Past matchups

Wins-losses: 92-27

CSKA biggest margin of victory: 102-54 (+48) (1997-98 Russian Championship. Quarterfinal)
UNICS biggest margin of victory: 113-77 (-36) (2000-01 Russian Superleague. Regular season. 2nd stage)

Games of 2024-25 VTB League Season:

21-Oct-2024. CSKA – UNICS: 71-55 (+16)
09-Nov-2024. UNICS – CSKA: 73-80 (+7)
01-Mar-2025. CSKA – UNICS: 97-86 (+11)

Brief dossier

UNICS Kazan

Founded: 1991
Color: green, black, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Evgeny Bogachev
Head coach: Velimir Perasovic
Website: www.unics.ru
Trophy case:
- EuroCup winner (2011);
- FIBA Europe League winner (2004);
- VTB League and Russian champion (2023);
- 9-time Russian League runner-up (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024),
- 7-time Russian League bronze winner (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2022),
- NEBL champion (2003),
- 3-time Russian Cup winner (2003, 2009, 2014),
- 3-Russian Cup runner-up (2005, 2007, 2010),
- 5-time VTB United League runner-up (2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024)