Rest or rhythm?

Our team arrived in Saratov to face Avtodor that did not play since middle of February.

Pre-game breakdown

The Army Men got well-deserved day off on Saturday and had full time practice before taking the flight.

13 players boarded Sukhoi SuperJet by Aeroflot, CSKA official carrier. Pavel Korobkov, Alan Makiev and Victor Rudd stayed home.

Word to the coach

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

We play another difficult road game against a team that had no schedule obligations in past two weeks. They had time to prepare for this game. They are athletic and aggressive so we have to be ready for their transition game though they are very capable in halfcourt offense as well. We have to be focused and compete on highest level.

Past matchups

Wins/losses: 51-16
Game in 2017-18 VTB League season:
22-Oct-2017. CSKA – Avtodor: 93-66 (+27)

Short dossier

Avtodor Saratov
Founded: 1960
Colors: black, white
Home court: Kristall Ice Palace (5,500)
President: Vladimir Rodionov
Head coach: Evgeny Pashutin
Website: www.avtodor.ru
Trophy case: 4-time Russian League runner-up (1994, 97, 98, 99), 2-time Russian League bronze winner (1992, 96), EuroCup semifinalist (1998), Superleague A champion (1997, 98), Superleague B champion (2009), Superleague champion (2013/14)