The BCL returns to Carpena to face Pallacanestro Reggiana
Unicaja will make its Carpena debut this BCL season on Tuesday, November 3, against a familiar foe: Pallacanestro Reggiana (8:30 p.m., broadcasted by Teledeporte and Unicaja Baloncesto Radio). Maintaining their undefeated lead is the team’s main goal against an opponent looking to bounce back after a loss on its home court.
The Basketball Champions League returns to Málaga. After two away games this season—in which Unicaja defeated both Lithuanian side Juventus Utena (69–105) and Czech side BK KVIS Pardubice (63–79)—the competition returns to the Carpena. The first quarterfinal game—the last BCL home game held on April 1—is now a distant memory. This coming Tuesday, November 3—217 days after that game—the team will host one of Group E’s biggest rivals: Italy’s Pallacanestro Reggiana (8:30 p.m., broadcasted by Teledeporte and Unicaja Baloncesto Radio).
This is no ordinary game, as the Málaga team will look to solidify its top spot in the group—where it remains undefeated—against an opponent reeling from a loss last round to Juventus Utena (75–76). The Italians, who defeated BK KVIS Pardubice 82–65 on Round 1, are currently third in Group E, tied with the Lithuanians, who are in second place (1–1). It’s worth noting that finishing in first place at the end of the regular season means a direct ticket to the Round of 16, without having to go through a potentially troublesome play-in. Therefore, a victory over the Italians this Tuesday would be a crucial step toward achieving that goal.
Pallacanestro Reggiana comes into the game off a road win/loss against Nutribullet Treviso Basket by XX to XX, currently sitting in XXth place in the Italian Lega standings with a record of XX wins and XX losses.
Multiple threats
On the roster coached by Greek head coach Dimitris Priftis, one name stands out above the rest: Jaylen Barford. The American shooter is averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block for an efficiency rating of 17 so far this season, well supported by fellow shooters Riccardo Visconti (9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1 assist) and Rob Edwards (10 points).
At point guard, Speedy Smith—the league’s assist leader so far this season (8.5)—is calling the shots for the Italian team on the court, while also contributing 2.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
In the paint, a familiar face—Colombian Jaime Echenique (11.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks)—alongside fellow center Derek Ogbeide (11 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) are the team’s main go-to players.
Key statistics
Statistically speaking, Pallacanestro Reggiana is off to an outstanding start to the season. The Italians rank second in assists (25 per game) and steals (11.5); fifth in two-point field goal percentage (60.3%); sixth in blocks (4.5); seventh in efficiency (103.5); and ninth in total rebounds (40.5). These are certainly statistics worth taking into account.
Rivalry
This won’t be the first time the two teams have faced off in the BCL; in fact, they met in the 2024–25 season’s quarterfinals, with Unicaja winning both games (105–68 and 72–82) to secure their spot in the Final Four in Athens. Now, two seasons later, they meet again as the BCL returns to the Carpena.
Previously, the two clubs faced off in the regular season of the now-defunct Korac Cup on four occasions between the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons, with a record of two wins and two losses. Overall, the head-to-head record across all competitions favors Unicaja (4-2).
Unicaja will face Pallacanestro Reggiana this Tuesday, November 3, starting at 8:30 p.m. at Carpena. The game, part of Round 3 of the BCL, will be broadcasted by Teledeporte and Unicaja Baloncesto Radio.