THIS WEEK’S GAMESFriday 11 March 2016
CH 19:30Sheffield Sharks v London Lions
Saturday 12 March 2016
CH 19:30Bristol Flyers v Glasgow Rocks
Sunday 13 March 2016
CH 16:00Leeds Force v London Lions
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle v Worcester Wolves
Where and when:
Sport Central, 7.30pm Friday 11 March
Summary:
Victory for Esh Group Eagles Newcastle on Friday could all but end any faint Worcester Wolves hopes of snatching the BBL Championship title.
The reigning champions occupy top spot, 10 points ahead of Wolves with two games in hand.
A win on Friday would secure the season head-to-head and surely leave Paul James’ men with too much to do, with Leicester Riders also ahead of them.
Wolves’ recent record against Eagles is better than most, however. The Worcester club won all three meetings between the teams last season, as well as inflicting Eagles’ first defeat of this campaign back in January.
Last time they met:
Worcester Wolves 88 Esh Group Eagles 94 (BBL Trophy Semi-Final second leg – Eagles won 167-154, University of Worcester Arena, 14 February 2016)
Form:
Eagles: WWWWLW
Wolves: WLLLWW
Three Points:
- This will be the fifth meeting between these teams this season
- Pavol Losonsky is nine points short of 1,000 in BBL Championship play
- Joe Chapman needs one more assist to reach 500 in the BBL Championship
What they say:
Eagles forward Andy Thomson: “They are a very good team and a very good coach in Paul James. He seems to have the knack against us of getting the right game-plan and getting the players to do what he wants them to do.
“We lost to them the second time we played them, straight after the Cup final, so we made adjustments for the Trophy Semi-Final. I think we got that game-plan correct and that showed in the result.
“But of course they had a little turmoil at the time, losing their point-guard after the first leg. They’ve got a new guy in now [Jordan Aaron], so we’ll be doing our scout report on him.
“I’ve not seen any video of him playing yet, his first game was last week, so I’m not sure what he’s like, but they have a solid core group of guys and I’m sure it’s going to be a tough game.”
Tickets: www.newcastle-eagles.com
Leicester Riders v Manchester Giants
Where and when:
Leicester Community Sports Arena, 7.30pm Friday 11 March
Summary:
Leicester Riders’ quest to keep pace with BBL Championship leaders Esh Group Eagles Newcastle continues against Manchester Giants on Friday.
The BBL Trophy winners, who sit 10 points behind Eagles with five games in hand, host an improving Giants side.
Riders followed their Trophy triumph with victory against Surrey Scorchers last weekend while Giants were beaten at Glasgow Rocks, but push them all the way.
One major blow for Yorick Williams’ side could be the absence of livewire guard Stef Gill, who is due to serve a suspension following his ejection against Plymouth Raiders.
Last time they met:
Manchester Giants 66 Leicester Riders 76 (BBL Championship, Lucozade Soccerdome, 06 December 2015)
Form:
Riders: WTWLWW
Giants: LLLLWL
Three Points:
- Riders have won the last six meetings between these teams
- Drew Sullivan needs 18 points to reach 4,000 in BBL Championship play
- Callum Jones needs one more assist to reach 500 in BBL Championship play
What they say:
Riders forward Harrison Gamble: “The Trophy was a big win for us to carry momentum into our next games. It meant a lot more than just confidence to everyone involved at the club. Being the first time the club has won the Trophy makes it an extremely special moment.
“Manchester are a young team with talent and hunger. They have pulled out some results in the closing minutes of games. Their hunger to play for the full 40 makes them a dangerous team. They now have a big inside presence in [Flo] Larkai and can surround him with three-point shooters.”
Tickets: www.leicesterriders.co.uk
Sheffield Sharks v London Lions
Where and when:
EIS Sheffield, 7.30pm Friday 11 March
Summary:
Sheffield Sharks will aim to rediscover the form that propelled them into the BBL Championship top four when they host London Lions on Friday.
Sharks dropped two games in the space of just over 24 hours last weekend as they were beaten by Plymouth Raiders and Bristol Flyers, losing ground on Worcester Wolves in third and opening the door for Glasgow Rocks to close the gap from fifth.
Things get no easier this weekend. When Lions shot the lights out to beat Sharks in February, they handed Sharks a first league loss in more than two months.
And despite being beaten last time out, Lions will surely take confidence from having pushed leaders Esh Group Eagles Newcastle all the way to overtime.
Last time they met:
London Lions 90 Sheffield Sharks 84 (BBL Championship, Copper Box Arena, 05 February 2016)
Form:
Sharks: LWLWLL
Lions: WLWLWL
Three Points:
- None of the last six meetings between these teams have been decided by more than six points
- Lions (12.27) and Sharks (12.17) rank second and third respectively in offensive rebounding
- Lions connected on 11 three-pointers when these teams met last month
What they say:
Sharks forward Mike Tuck: “[It was] a very tough weekend for us but it’s not the end of the world. We just need to focus on the bigger picture and bounce back.
“I think we weren’t playing our best defence, which let both teams hurt us. Offensively we’re getting to that point in the season where teams have everyone scouted. Plymouth did a great job of knocking us out of our rhythm.
“London are a deep team full of high-energy guys. If they all show up on the night they can be a tough team to play against. Obviously they have a few former Sharks, so I’m sure they will be up for a game in Sheffield.
“We just have to limit their looks at the basket, play good help-side defence and slow them down in transition.”
Lions forward Joe Ikhinmwin: “Our current area of focus is finding more consistency in our play, doing whatever it takes to win and stringing these performances together, with the end of the regular season coming and the Play-Offs around the corner, we will be ready and playing our best basketball.
“The best way to come out of Sheffield with a win on this occasion is by taking away or limiting their first option on offence and putting other players in positions they may not be as comfortable with, mix that with us being the aggressors on offence and I feel we would have a great opportunity to take this victory.”
Tickets: www.sharksbasketball.org
Bristol Flyers v Glasgow Rocks
Where and when:
WISE Basketball Arena, 7.30pm Saturday 12 March
Summary:
Bristol Flyers’ new-found confidence will face a stiff test as they welcome Glasgow Rocks on Saturday.
Flyers secured an impressive 69-65 victory against Sheffield Sharks last weekend to halt a run of three straight defeats and tip-off a seven-game March on a positive footing.
But Sterling Davis’ rolling Rocks are the visitors on Saturday, and they come into the game having won their last three and with one of the league’s form players in Kieron Achara.
Last time they met:
Glasgow Rocks 87 Bristol Flyers 58 (BBL Championship, Emirates Arena, 24 January 2016)
Form:
Flyers: LWLLLW
Rocks: WLLWWW
Three Points:
- Rocks have won both games between these teams this season
- Flyers (4.68 per-game) and Rocks (5.58) are the league’s bottom two teams in terms of steals per-game
- Kieron Achara was named as a starter in the latest BBL All-Star Five, his fifth selection of the season
What they say:
Flyers coach Andreas Kapoulas: “We have a very important against Glasgow ahead of us and then the following day against Manchester. We have to focus on that.
“Last week’s win is in the past and it’s about moving forward and getting ourselves ready again.
“Glasgow have done very well this year. They went on a run a couple of months ago and have had some good results recently even though they were missing a couple of guys.
“We want to build that consistency because we have six games left in March, and then we will see where we are at the end of the month.”
Rocks forward Will Hall: “We’ve had a good couple of weeks, but I’m not sure that’s much to shout about just yet. We’ve played some good team basketball recently so with the addition of Andre [Stephens] and a couple of guys returning from injuries, we’ve got to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“Bristol always defend very well and when playing at home they get a real boost from their crowd. They are a disciplined team and always make it difficult.”
Tickets: www.bristolflyers.co.uk
Cheshire Phoenix v Leicester Riders
Where and when:
Cheshire Oaks Arena, 5.30pm Sunday 13 March
Summary:
Cheshire Phoenix’s result against Leicester Riders on Sunday could go a long way to deciding whether they spend the rest of the season looking over their shoulder, or up at the top-four.
Two victories against Surrey Scorchers in the past two weeks have allowed John Lavery’s men to solidify their standing in seventh position, level on points with eighth-placed Plymouth Raiders.
A win against Riders would put the pressure on the teams above them while defeat could give Raiders the chance to take advantage while those outside the top eight close the gap.
Riders, meanwhile, followed up their BBL Trophy success with another win last weekend, and host Manchester Giants on Friday ahead of this one.
Last time they met:
Cheshire Phoenix 76 Leicester Riders 91 (BBL Championship, Cheshire Oaks Arena, 07 February 2016)
Form:
Phoenix: LLWLWW
Riders: WTWLWW
Three Points:
- Riders have won the last eight meetings between these teams
- Akeem Ellis was named as a starter in the latest BBL All-Star Five
- Victory against Scorchers last weekend was Rob Paternostro’s 230th as a BBL coach, taking him to fifth on the all-time list
What they say:
Phoenix forward David Aliu: “We’re just grinding out games by not giving up and sticking together. That’s been the key for us over the last few weeks, just sticking together no matter what, and it’s helping us push through tough games like Sunday.
“Leicester will be a tough game. They’re a great team with a good coach but we’re up for the challenge and believe we can play with anyone. We pushed Leicester close at there place last time so hopefully at home with crowd behind us we can take this one.”
Riders forward Harrison Gamble: “Cheshire will be another big game for us. We have played them a couple times now so we know what to expect. Our focus will be playing our basketball and looking after the ball, taking every game as it comes one by one. We can’t start looking ahead into other games when our schedule looks the way it does.”
Tickets: www.cheshirephoenix.com
Leeds Force v London Lions
Where and when:
Carnegie Sports Centre, 4.00pm Sunday 13 March
Summary:
London Lions ran out comfortable winners when these teams met back in September, but much has changed since then.
Inconsistency has been a theme of Lions’ campaign, although they have, at times, shown glimpses of the high-level play they are capable of, not least in pushing Esh Group Eagles Newcastle all the way to overtime last weekend.
This will be the second leg of a Yorkshire double for Lions, who face Sheffield Sharks on Friday.
Force ended on the wrong side of an overtime thriller against Worcester Wolves last weekend, a first defeat in three games, although their performance level remained high.
Last time they met:
London Lions 99 Leeds Force 60 (BBL Championship, Copper Box Arena, 25 September 2015)
Form:
Force: LWLWWL
Lions: WLWLWL
Three Points:
- Lions have won three of the four BBL meetings between these teams
- Force (12.36 per-game) and Lions (12.27) are the league’s top two teams in terms of offensive rebounds-per-game
- Force are also, however, bottom of the league in points-per-game with 70.84
What they say:
Force captain Armand Anebo: “It took a while but we believe we have finally got the final piece to the jigsaw in terms of our team. Each individual understands their role and unique contributions and to basically go out there and do just that every week.
“The key words for us for the remainder of the season are confidence, focus, discipline, and game plan execution.
“London are a team full of pedigree and experienced players who are more than capable of producing great performances on any given night. So the focus will be directed to the defensive sides of things and how we can disrupt their game flow.”
Lions forward Joe Ikhinmwin: “Despite what the league table shows, Leeds are a well coached team with some good players. They have made a few changes and it seems like those moves have been working for them.”
Tickets: www.leedsforce.co.uk
Plymouth University Raiders v Glasgow Rocks
Where and when:
Plymouth Pavilions, 4.00pm Sunday 13 March
Summary:
Plymouth Raiders must adapt to another key absence this weekend, when they face off against Glasgow Rocks.
Cory Dixon starred with 26 points and 12 rebounds during Raiders’ impressive showing against Sheffield Sharks last weekend, as they recovered from the departure of Josh Wilcher and injury to Dante Williams.
But Daryl Corletto’s men must do without Dixon against Rocks as he serves a one-game suspension, following his ejection against Manchester Giants.
Rocks will hope to capitalise and continue their fine form. But Sterling Davis’ men will battle fatigue, as well as a formidable opponent, having been in action against Bristol Flyers less than 24 hours earlier.
Last time they met:
Plymouth Raiders 76 Glasgow Rocks 75 (BBL Championship, Plymouth Pavilions, 08 November 2015)
Form:
Raiders: WLWWLW
Rocks: WLLWWW
Three Points:
- Raiders have won seven of the last eight meetings between these teams
- Cory Dixon was named as a starter in the latest BBL All-Star Five
- Andre Stephens had nine points and four rebounds during a 19-minute Rocks debut last weekend
What they say:
Raiders player-coach Daryl Corletto: “Heading into this one we’ll be under-manned again with Dante Williams out and losing Cory Dixon to the suspension he was given after the Manchester game.
“Glasgow, like us, have had an issue with one of their imports and he’s left and been replaced and they also had a couple of injuries.
“A couple of weeks ago they had two really good wins on the road and they are playing some quality basketball.
“They are a top-five team right now and they will come into the game full of confidence. They are a good team and the boys will need to be ready to play for the full 40 minutes.”
Rocks forward Will Hall: “We played a very different team in Plymouth at the start of the season. It’s a new coach and for the most part a new team so we’ll scout as if we haven’t played them before.
“With that said, the best we can do is focus on our own game, take care of our bodies after the Bristol game and be ready to go on Sunday.”
Tickets: www.plymouthraiders.com
Manchester Giants v Bristol Flyers
Where and when:
Lucozade Soccerdome, 6.00pm Sunday 13 March
Summary:
A key weekend for two teams sitting outside the BBL Play-Off positions culminates with Manchester Giants against Bristol Flyers on Sunday.
Giants face a tough trip to Leicester Riders on Friday while Flyers host Glasgow Rocks on Saturday.
Andreas Kapoulas’ men enter the weekend buoyed by an impressive victory against Sheffield Sharks last weekend, which pulled them within six points of the post-season spots with three games in hand.
Giants, however, were beaten by Glasgow Rocks last Sunday and go into the weekend eight points off the pace.
Last time they met:
Bristol Flyers 99 Manchester Giants 90 (BBL Championship, WISE Basketball Arena, 23 October 2015)
Form:
Giants: LLLLWL
Flyers: LWLLLW
Three Points:
- Flyers have won three of their BBL games against Giants since entering the league
- Four Flyers players scored 18 points or more when these teams met back in October
- Jerelle Okoro has scored 12, 21 and 15 points in his last three games having only hit double figures once before this run
What they say:
Flyers coach Andreas Kapoulas: “At the moment, for me, it is about us playing every possession, winning the next possession. Our defence is going to be very important. We need to be able to defensively limit teams to one shot or less every possession.
“We have just got to keep playing together on the offensive end. We have to do the little things now, the things that matter the most.
“It’s about focusing on us, preparing our scout and giving these games everything we have.”
Tickets: www.manchestergiants.com
Surrey Scorchers v Esh Group Eagles Newcastle
Where and when:
Surrey Sports Park, 3.00pm Sunday 13 March
Summary:
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle complete a weekend double-header with the long trip to face Surrey Scorchers on Sunday.
The leaders host BBL Championship title rivals Worcester Wolves on Friday, before taking on Surrey, who they have not lost to since they were under the guise of Surrey Heat, back 2013.
Scorchers produced one of the performances of the season to come from behind and beat London Lions last month before almost repeating the trick against Cheshire Phoenix.
But that capital success remains their only league win since mid-December and they must begin picking up the points if they are to mount a meaningful Play-Off push.
Last time they met:
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 99 Surrey Scorchers 67 (BBL Championship, Sport Central, 08 January 2016)
Form:
Scorchers: WLLLLL
Eagles: WWWWLW
Three Points:
- Eagles have won the two meetings between these teams this season by a combined margin of 65 points
- Drew Lasker goes into the weekend needing five steals to reach 500 in BBL Championship play
- Tayo Ogedengbe in 13 rebounds short of 1,000 in the BBL Championship
What they say:
Scorchers coach Creon Raftopolous: “The last two games we have rotated six players with Elvisi Dusha out injured and I feel I’ve found a core we can hopefully retain and move forward with.
“We need to finish off the season with continued 100 per cent energy and committed performances for our fans in appreciation of the great support they have given us this season. Hopefully with a little luck the good performances can turn into wins.
“We know they are battling Riders for the Championship so won’t take us lightly and we will have to be at our best to give them a challenge on Sunday.
“They are an experienced unit and it’s funny to think between Charles Smith and Andrew Lasker they have more years of pro and BBL experience than our whole team combined.
“It’s important we continue to improve our communication on defence and try and find our shooting hands from behind the three-point line, which has hurt us all season. Andreas Schreiber has been like a new player in the last few weeks and I’ll look to him, Tayo [Ogedengbe] and KC [Ross-Miller] to lead us in Sunday’s game.”
Eagles forward Andy Thomson: “It’s a long trip and will be an early morning start for us.
“With them trying to get into last Play-Off spots, it’s a dangerous team to be playing. While we’re fighting for the league title, their season is on the line so I expect them to fight.
Tickets: www.surreyscorchers.