Unicaja – MSK Preview & Where to Watch

• → Game to take place at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena, Málaga on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 at 20:30 Local Time (CEST)
• → Form check: Unicaja opened the ACB with an 86-68 win over Surne Bilbao Basket (Olek Balcerowski 17, Kendrick Perry steady at the controls); Mersin MSK fell 86–99 to Beşiktaş in the BSL.
• → Context: The reigning back to back BCL champions begin their title defense at home against newcomers Mersin. The Carpena expects a statement that this three peat talk isn’t hype.

Unicaja Málaga - The Champions’ Reset, Without Losing Their Edge

Ibon Navarro didn’t rip up the blueprint; he refreshed it. Out went key pieces from last spring’s run - Tyson Carter (Final Four MVP), Dylan Osetkowski, Kameron Taylor and Yankuba Sima - plus veteran Melvin Ejim.

In came NBA experienced Chris Duarte to add two way scoring on the wing, James Webb III as the stretch four to cover Osetkowski’s minutes, Emir Sulejmanović to beef up the rotation up front, and Xavier Castañeda to deepen the backcourt.

Crucially, the spine remains intact: Perry and Alberto Díaz set the tone in the guard room, Kalinoski (Intercontinental Cup MVP) spaces the floor, Djedović and Barreiro give size and know how on the wings, and the Kravish Balcerowski tandem continues to swing games with energy and length.

Add Webb’s range and Sulejmanović’s rebounding to a group that just retained the Intercontinental Cup and you get the same Unicaja identity — pace, shared scoring, ruthless second units — with fresh legs in the right places.

What to expect in Game 1? Duarte’s first Carpena outing should dovetail with Kalinoski’s off screen shooting, letting Perry pick his spots rather than carry the scoring load. Webb and Kravish can stretch Mersin’s bigs away from the rim, while Balcerowski’s size is a pressure point inside. If Unicaja win the turnover battle and keep their bench waves coming, the champions should look like… champions.

Mersin MSK - New Name, Real Ambition

Mersin arrive as BCL rookies but not as a soft touch. They’ve invested to compete in the BSL, and opening week defeat to Beşiktaş came with enough punch to suggest they’ll run and challenge in spurts. Australian forward Jack White headlines the new faces and gives them an athletic wing who can crash the glass and sprint lanes. Expect a physical front line, willing drivers, and a team that tries to speed you into mistakes.

The question in Málaga is depth: can Mersin absorb Unicaja’s second unit surges, and can their shooters hold rhythm under Carpena noise? If they can, this becomes a scrap; if not, the gap widens quickly.

How To Watch Unicaja Vs Mersin Sports Club

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