Fitness First Würzburg Baskets - Patrioti Levice BCL Play-Ins Where to Watch and Game Preview

• → Game to take place at the tectake ARENA, Würzburg on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 17:30 Local Time (CET)
• → Form check: Würzburg edged a strong December but slipped 66-61 at Ulm after big wins over MBC and at Chemnitz; Levice beat Nitra 97–71 and Slovan 95–80 (McGill 25).
• → Context: Best-of-three Play-ins opener. Würzburg’s uptick in BCL form meets the Slovak champs’ league-leading rhythm, and a tricky road test for Levice.

Würzburg Hosts Levice to kick off Play-Ins

Sasa Filipovski’s group is at its best when the defense sets the agenda. They’ve strung together back-to-back BCL wins and, notably, hit double-digit steals in two straight after rarely getting there earlier in the season. Davion Mintz has been a steady home scorer in Europe, Brae Ivey toggles from organizer to late-clock shot-creator, and Marcus Carr’s can add a second gear to the Bavarian's tempo. Up front, Charles Thompson’s screening and touch around the lane pair well with Eddy Edigin’s activity on the glass, giving Würzburg the muscle to survive half-court grind.

Does Patrioti stand a chance?

Domestically, the Patriots re rolling - top of the Tipos SBL and fresh off convincing victories over Nitra and Slovan. The BCL story has been more volatile on the road (1–2 away, all decided by double digits, trailing at halftime in each), which puts a premium on clean starts. Rickey McGill is the barometer: Levice are unbeaten in the BCL when he clears 20, winless when he’s at 20 or fewer. Will Carius stretches the floor, Novak Musić adds secondary creation, and the Bojanovský/Mawein size gives them a different look than most BCL backcourts are seeing.

What could swing it

• Turnover tax: Würzburg’s hands have been busy. If they reach that 10-steal threshold again, Levice’s spacing will be tested in transition defense.
• Guard shot creation: Mintz vs. McGill is the headline duel. If Carr is sharp, Würzburg can toggle to dual-handler actions that bend Levice’s help.
• Second-chance control: Ulm punished Würzburg on the offensive glass last time out; Thompson/Edigin need to level that battle to keep the game in flow.

Stakes

Game 1 leverage in a best-of-three: Würzburg are guarding home court to avoid a must-win in Slovakia; Levice are hunting the statement road win that flips the series math and fast-tracks a Round of 16 berth.

How to watch Würzburg vs Patrioti Levice

Watch Fitness First Würzburg Baskets vs Patrioti Levice from the tectake ARENA on Courtside 1891 for FREE with a Plus Subscriptions. Blackouts based on location apply.