• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

News from British Basketball League – The Weekly Preview

ByDave Stopher

Oct 6, 2018
Nine games take place on a busy weekend in the BBL including all four Quarter-Finals in the Cup.

 

This week’s schedule – ALL games are available to watch LIVE over at livebasketball.tv

 

Friday 16 November 2018
(CH) Bristol Flyers v Leicester Riders, 7:30pm
(CH) Esh Group Eagles Newcastle v Cheshire Phoenix, 7:30pm
(CH) Worcester Wolves v London Lions, 7:30pm
(CUP) Plymouth Raiders v Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks, 7:30pm
Saturday 17 November 2018
(CUP) Leicester Riders v Esh Group Eagles Newcastle, 7:30pm
Sunday 18 November 2018
(CH) Plymouth Raiders v DBL Sharks Sheffield, 3pm
(CUP) London Lions v Worcester Wolves, 4pm
(CH) Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks v Surrey Scorchers, 5pm
(CUP) Cheshire Phoenix v Manchester Giants, 5:30pm

 

LBTV Pick of the Week: Cheshire Phoenix v Manchester Giants
Details: Sunday 18 November, 5:30pm, Cheshire Oaks Arena, Leicester, BBL Cup, Quarter-Finals

 

Cheshire continue the defence of their BBL Cup title when they host Manchester in a North-West derby in the last eight. The Giants ended their six-year run of First Round defeats with a road win against Surrey, while Cheshire eased to a win over Sheffield.

 

“It’s always very special when we play Manchester. Both teams get great away followings for these fixtures and the level rises for the derby. They will want to build on their success [from the First Round] and we are not prepared to give up our title,” – Phoenix head coach, Ben Thomas.

 

“Anything can happen in the knockout stages and this is already a great opportunity for both teams.”
 
Last time they met: Phoenix 100-88 Giants (Championship, February 2018)
 
Bristol Flyers v Leicester Riders
Details: Friday 16 November, 7:30pm, SGS Wise Arena, BBL Championship
 
The 5-1 Flyers return to action on Friday when they take on the defending champions having never beaten Leicester in the BBL. The Riders suffered their first league loss last week, but could close the gap on Bristol with another road success, while Andreas Kapoulas’ side could finish the weekend in top spot.
 
Last time they met: Riders 76-68 Flyers (Play-Offs, May 2018)
 
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle v Cheshire Phoenix
Details: Friday 16 November, 7:30pm, Sport Central, BBL Championship
 
Newcastle put successive defeats behind them with a home win against Worcester to move to a 6-2 start in the league. The Phoenix are next to visit Sport Central with both sides also in Cup action over the weekend. Ben Thomas’ side were edged out by Newcastle on opening night and are currently 4-4 in the league.
 
Last time they met: Eagles 70-65 Phoenix (Championship, September 2018)
 
Worcester Wolves v London Lions
Details: Friday 16 November, 7:30pm, University of Worcester Arena, BBL Championship
 
The first of two meetings this weekend for the two teams as bottom hosts top in the league. Worcester have struggled to a 1-8 start, but had an encouraging debut from Deshawn Freeman last week, while the Lions pushed on to move to 7-1 as they defeated Leicester.
 
Last time they met: Lions 82-65 Wolves (Championship, September 2018)
 
Plymouth Raiders v Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks
Details: Friday 16 November, 7:30pm, Plymouth Pavilions, BBL Cup, Quarter-Finals
 
A big double-header at home for the Raiders starts by welcoming the Rocks to Devon in their Cup Quarter-Final. Plymouth came from behind to secure a five-point win in Scotland earlier this month and will be aiming for their first Cup Semi-Final since the 2013-14 season.
 
Last time they met: Rocks 72-77 Raiders (Championship, November 2018)
 
Leicester Riders v Esh Group Eagles Newcastle
Details: Saturday 17 November, 7:30pm, Morningside Arena, BBL Cup, Quarter-Finals
 
The two teams have six Cup titles between them in the last seven seasons with the streak broken by Cheshire’s triumph in 2018. Leicester drew first blood in the fierce rivalry this season with a league win on the road two weeks ago and both teams will follow up league games on Friday night.
 
Last time they met: Eagles 68-84 Riders (Championship, November 2018)
 
Plymouth Raiders v DBL Sharks Sheffield
Details: Sunday 18 November, 3pm, Plymouth Pavilions, BBL Championship
 
Plymouth are back at home on Sunday with the chance to move to above .500 in the league, although they face a Sharks side who arrive off the back of three straight wins. Sheffield have benefited from some roster changes and have climbed to third place having won five in a row in the league, either side of their Cup exit.
 
Last time they met: Raiders 82-98 Sharks (Championship, April 2018)
 
London Lions v Worcester Wolves
Details: Sunday 18 November, 4pm, Copper Box Arena, BBL Cup, Quarter-Finals
 
Following their league meeting on Friday, the two teams head to London to prepare for a Cup showdown with a Semi-Final spot up for grabs. The Lions fell at the last four stage last season, while Worcester reached the Final so neither will want to fall at an earlier hurdle this time around.
 
Last time they met: Lions 82-65 Wolves (Championship, September 2018)
 
Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks v Surrey Scorchers
Details: Sunday 18 November, 5pm, Emirates Arena, BBL Championship
 
Two teams that have struggled to find early form in the BBL as they sit just above Worcester at the bottom. The Rocks secured a late two-point victory when they met earlier in the season as Ali Fraser scored the game-winner in the final seconds. Surrey have only won once on the road, while Glasgow have a 1-4 record on their home floor.
 
Last time they met: Scorchers 92-94 Rocks (Championship, September 2018)