Week Nine Preview

UNICS vs. Khimki and CSKA vs. Nymburk highlight Week Nine in the VTB United League.

Saturday, November 21

Krasny Oktyabr (Russia) - Kalev (Estonia)
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 PM MSK)
Place: Alianz-Basket, Volgograd, Russia
TV: SA Tallinna Televisioon (Estonia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Krasny Oktyabr: Volgograd won its third straight game last weekend, shocking 2nd-place Nymburk. D.J. Cooper saved Krasny Oktyabr from certain defeat, forcing overtime with a buzzer-beater, then led his men to victory in the extra period. Another win on Saturday would put Volgograd above the .500 mark.

Kalev: 0-4 on the road and last in the league in points scored per game, Kalev's defense will be extremely important against a high-powered Oktyabr offense.

Sunday, November 22

UNICS (Russia) - Khimki (Russia)
Time: 1:00 PM (1:00 PM MSK)
Place: Basket Hall, Kazan, Russia
TV: Match TV (Russia), NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

UNICS: Kazan faces another playoff finalist on Sunday, six days after getting crushed by CSKA in Moscow. Playing at home, UNICS will be very motivated to bounce back against a fellow contender and pass Khimki in the standings.

Khimki: Moscow Region is 3-2 over its last five games with losses to CSKA and Nizhny Novgorod. Coming off a huge road win against Real Madrid in the Euroleague, Khimki would love to finally get a signature win in the VTB United League. Rimas Kurtinaitis's men are averaging a league-best 93 points per game, not a good sign for a UNICS squad that has been shaky defensively.

CSKA (Russia) - Nymburk (Czech Republic)
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 PM MSK)
Place: USH CSKA, Moscow, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), TV Nova Sport (Czech Republic), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

CSKA: The Army Men picked up wins against UNICS and Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier this week. Undefeated at home in the VTB United League, CSKA will be expected to beat upstart Nymburk.

Nymburk: The Czech club's 6-1 start shocked the league. Despite a tough loss in Volgograd last weekend, Nymburk sits 3rd in the standings. Experienced and confident, can Nymburk test the reigning champs on the road?

Zenit (Russia) - Vita (Georgia)
Time: 6:00 PM (6:00 PM MSK)
Place: SIBUR Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia
TV: United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Zenit: Vasily Karasev's men look to improve on a league-leading 6-0 record against the Georgian newcomers and will be heavily favored over Tbilisi. After losing at home in the Eurocup to Avtodor, St. Petersburg will be extremely motivated to get back on the winning track.

Vita: The Georgians are at the opposite end of the standings and the only team without a win. Vita can't match Zenit's depth or talent, but does boast a dangerous offense. Expect a high-scoring affair at the SIBUR Arena.

Monday, November 23

Bisons (Finland) - VEF (Latvia)
Time: 6:30 PM (7:30 PM MSK)
Place: Loimaa Sports Hall, Loimaa, Finland
TV: Riga TV (Latvia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Bisons: Despite a disappointing 1-7 record, Loimaa does have a win over Euroleague team Lokomotiv-Kuban and a near upset of Nizhny Novgorod on the road. The Bisons always give 110% at home and can catch VEF in the standings with a win.

VEF: Carlos Frade's men are 2-6, 13th in the standings. After a tough loss to Avtodor over the weekend, Frade told reporters that his team has a lot of potential. A win in Loimaa would be a step in the right direction and keep Riga within striking distance of a playoff spot.