Wolves had been unbeaten in their opening seven contests prior to Championship and Cup reverses against Plymouth University Raiders and Leicester Riders.

Those results leave them with a 6-1 league record, identical to the Sharks, who beat Cheshire Phoenix in the Championship and London Lions in the Cup.

But, for James, it’s all about how his team reacts in this top-of-the-table clash in front of the BBL TV cameras.

He said: “At some point we were always bound to lose a game.

“It is now how we deal with that which will determine where we are as a team. I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond to this minor setback.

“These games I hope will serve as a lesson to us and we can get back to doing what we have done very well leading up to these defeats.”

And there appears no greater test of that currently, than high-flying Sharks.

“Sheffield have not gone under my radar,” James added.

“They have been going about their work really well and are not to be taken lightly.

“Mike Tuck is, personally, having his best start to a season. It looks like he has been given more responsibility on the team and is playing really well.”

Last time they met:

One Health Sharks Sheffield 78 Worcester Wolves 73 (BBL Championship, EIS Sheffield, 22/03/2013)

What they say:

Sharks forward Olu Babalola: “Worcester a very good team with an even better coach in PJ so a win on our floor will be huge for us mentally.

“We respect everything they’ve done up until this point and look forward to having them come to Sheffield and playing an exciting game. We will come out focused and ready.”

Wolves big man Will Creekmore: “It seems like teams have begun to ‘gameplan’ for me a little bit by fronting me with a centre and bringing help from the weak side.

“For me, that just means that someone else is going to be open so I am going to continue posting up hard and trying to make the right play when I get the ball, whether that be an extra pass or making a strong post move.”

For information about tickets visit www.sharksbasketball.co.uk.

 

Story – BBL

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