Preview: Avtodor Saratov at Samara in VTB United League

SAMARA, Russia (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to escape the VTB United League cellar will meet Wednesday when Samara hosts Avtodor Saratov at SKK Drorec Sporta.

The matchup features the league’s two most struggling clubs. Samara (2-25) sits at the bottom of the standings, with Avtodor Saratov (5-23) just one place above. Both are mired in extended losing streaks, with Samara having dropped 10 consecutive games and Avtodor Saratov losing its last five.

The game represents one of the few remaining opportunities for either squad to secure a victory this season. Their most recent meeting on Feb. 12 provides a blueprint for Samara, which earned a 95-87 road win in Saratov. Guard Mikhail Kulagin led Samara in that contest with 18 points and four assists. He enters this game as Samara’s player to watch, averaging 17.3 points over his last three outings, including a 20-point performance in a narrow 73-69 loss to Uralmash on March 4.

For Avtodor, forward Daniil Kasko will be a key figure. He logged 37 minutes in the Feb. 12 loss to Samara, contributing 9 points and 4 rebounds. In the teams’ last clash in Samara on Dec. 20, 2025, Avtodor secured a 102-99 overtime victory.

Both teams are coming off heavy defeats. Avtodor Saratov suffered a historically poor 102-53 loss to Uralmash on March 7, a game in which Kasko was one of only two players to score in double figures with 11 points. Samara’s last outing was the four-point loss to Uralmash on March 4.

With playoff positions long out of reach, this contest will hinge on pride and which team can muster more consistent execution. Samara will look to leverage home court advantage to snap its lengthy skid, while Avtodor aims to sweep the season series in Samara and find momentum before a difficult closing stretch against top-tier opponents.

The game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. local time.