Mersin Sports Club VS Le Mans Sarthe Basket Preview & Where to Watch

• → Game to take place at Servet Tazegül Spor Salonu, Mersin on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 20:00 Local Time (TRT)
• → Form check: Mersin split late December, fell to Erokspor in the BSL but closed the BCL group with a home win over Oostende; Le Mans beat Saint-Quentin 90–74 on December 26.
• → Context: Play-ins opener. Mersin are 2–1 at home in the BCL and perfect when they hit 80; Le Mans haven’t traveled well in Europe but keep games tight.

Pace, punch, and the 80-mark

Mersin’s profile is clear: when the offense gets to 80, they win. That usually comes from first-shot quality and paint touches rather than turnover fuel: MSK are among the lowest in points off turnovers this season. Jack White’s surge (back-to-back big scoring/rebounding nights in the BCL, plus shot-blocking presence) gives them verticality and extra possessions without sacrificing spacing. At home, they’re comfortable flowing through early seals and middle pick-and-roll, then living at the rim or the stripe.

In the last two games he’s played, the former Blue Devil is leading the BCL in PIE, and the Turkish side will want more of the same from White to punch their Round of 16 tickets.

Road grit and guard shot-making

Le Mans arrive with a five-game BCL road skid, but four of those were decided by five or fewer points – for Le Mans, the difference is a few possessions when they’re away from The Sarthe. Their defensive shape travels: they’ve conceded the fewest fast-break points, paint points, and points from turnovers in the competition.

That’s exactly the menu you want against a team that doesn’t create many live-ball giveaways. Offensively, Trevor Hudgins has popped away from Antares (19.0 ppg on the road with 3.0 threes), and Le Mans’ wings screen and cut to manufacture clean looks when pace stalls.

What could swing it

• Possession economy: Le Mans’ “no freebies” defense vs Mersin’s need to reach 80 without turnover juice.
• Frontcourt activity: White’s second-chance work against a unit that walls off the paint better than anyone.
• End-game execution: Le Mans have lived in one- or two-possession finishes on the road; Mersin’s home tempo control must hold late.

Stakes

Game 1 of a best-of-three. Mersin are chasing a hold to avoid a must-win trip to France; Le Mans are hunting a series-flipping road result before Game 2 at Antares.

How to watch Mersin Sports Club vs Le Mans Sarthe Basket

Watch Mersin Sports Club vs Le Mans Sarthe Basket live from Servet Tazegül Spor Salonu on Courtside 1891 — free with a Courtside 1891 Plus account.