PODGORICA, Montenegro (Interstat) — Slovan will visit Buducnost on Saturday in a basketball matchup between teams looking to steady their seasons. Slovan enters with a 3-3 record, while Buducnost is 2-3. Buducnost will have home-court advantage as it tries to build on a recent road performance, while Slovan aims to rebound from a narrow loss in its most recent game.

Niko Bacvic is the player to watch for Slovan. The guard has been active across the floor in recent games. In Slovan’s most recent outing, a one-point loss to MBK Handlova, Bacvic played 28 minutes and finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. He also had 8 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists in a win at Cibona, 2 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists against Spisski Rytieri, 5 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists at Lucenec, and 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists at Kosice Wolves. His rebounding and playmaking have made him a central figure for Slovan.

Zoran Nikolic and Tray Buchanan also contributed in the latest Slovan game. Nikolic had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks, while Buchanan scored 17 points and added 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. Slovan’s recent schedule has included wins at Cibona, at Lucenec and at Kosice Wolves, along with losses to MBK Handlova, Spisski Rytieri and Igokea.

For Buducnost, Yogi Ferrell is the player to watch. He led the team in its most recent game, a loss at Tofas, with 18 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists in 27 minutes. Axel Bouteille added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, and Dordije Jovanovic had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Buducnost has also played several early games, with results including a loss at Crvena Zvezda, a home loss to Azzurro Napoli, a win at Krka and a win at Slask Wroclaw.

Buducnost will look to use its home floor to contain Bacvic and limit Slovan’s transition chances. Slovan will need balanced scoring around Bacvic, with Nikolic and Buchanan expected to carry part of the offensive load. Buducnost’s Ferrell will be counted on to create shots and pace the offense. Slovan has alternated wins and losses, while Buducnost has mixed results.

After this game, both teams continue their schedules against regional and international opponents. Slovan’s upcoming slate includes Siroki, Iskra Svit, Inter Basket, Krka, Komarno, Crvena Zvezda, Nitra Blue Wings, Borac Mozzart and Cedevita Olimpija. Buducnost is set to face Neptūnas, Cedevita Olimpija, Trento, Borac Mozzart, Chemnitz, FMP, Bourg-en-Bresse, Igokea, Slask Wroclaw and Siroki.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Buducnost 89, Slovan 81.