The Unicaja faces a busy month in December. If it was marked in red to reach that cruising speed, plans have changed radically. There will be an important readjustment of roles with the arrival of Augustine Rubit and the foreseeable exchange of chips between Xavier Castañeda and Chase Audige. Well, in Ibon Navarro's plan there are seven games in 25 days with the Copa del Rey classification on the horizon and a very difficult calendar.
The week is already beginning with a certain complexity due to the staggered arrival of the internationals. Kendrick Perry, for example, returns to Malaga averaging more than 30 minutes with Montenegro. Alberto Díaz has had greater control of his participation, while Emir Sulejmanovic may have received an injection of confidence with the role shown in Bosnia. It won't be until midweek when the group returns to full training.
Close the BCL and the Cup
This Saturday the first rival appears as Hiopos Lleida of the ex-cajoist Melvin Ejim. Gerard Find's team will play at home after having been deflated with two consecutive defeats, although it maintains a balance of 4-4 to Unicaja's 5-3. Next, the greens will have to travel to Belgium to resume the BCL on the 9th, Tuesday, against the Filou Ostend. Mathematical opportunity to close the Round of 16 as first classified in Group G.
Again on Saturday, the Recoletas Health San Pablo Burgos will arrive at Martín Carpena. We will have to see which coach because Bruno Savignani has been very discussed in recent weeks. Who can be there is Yannick NzosaUnicaja player on loan. If the team certifies the pass as a leader in the BCL, that Unicaja-Karditsa Iaponiki on December 17 will be intended solely for Rubit and Audige to continue adding minutes with the group.
At the rhythm of the Euroleague
And this is where the final fireworks come. A calendar at the rhythm of the Euroleague, with the Christmas holidays in between and with fundamental duels for the Copa del Rey. On December 21st it will be the turn of the Unicaja-Baskoniawhich will play a double European matchday previously against AS Monaco and Barça.
The team will spend December 28 at the Movistar Arena. There waits the Real Madrid by former composer Sergio Scariolo. And again back to Malaga because in less than 48 hours there will be another great game: Unicaja-Joventut in the return of Ricky Rubio to the Palace in ACB, with a group that brings top-level basketball. If the people from Malaga have held up the bar, it will be an important match for the seeding positions.
Waiting for Audige
Meanwhile, the group works waiting for the internationals to arrive and, especially, their next signing: Chase Audige, an American with a Jamaican passport. The Los Guindos club already has an agreement in principle with the player, now playing for Bosna de Sarajevo, waiting for his participation in the FIBA Window with Jamaica to end. At the same time, Juanma Rodríguez also finalizes the departure of Castañeda.
Who will be there to play against Lleida is Rubit. The center, substitute for David Kravish, has been training with Ibon Navarro since last Thursday. He had a specific session with the coach regarding defense and has participated with the rest of his teammates, the non-international ones, since then.
These will be very important days ahead to close 100% of market movements. From there, Ibon Navarro will be able to readjust all the pieces and begin to rebuild a team that has on the horizon, this December, leaving as close as possible to qualifying for the Copa del Rey.
