The Friday Preview – Week 1

It’s a quick replay of the last game of the 2013-14 campaign, when Wolves beat their opponents at the BBL Play-off final at Wembley Arena – a result which prompted Fab Flournoy to react by getting this year’s Eagles team lined-up quickly.

He confirmed, “Our main focus was to identify players early. We managed that and it has given our team a little time to get to know each other and also get to know me as a player-coach.

“Extending that adjustment period for as long as possible is always critical to me.

“It was important that we recruited well and I was especially delighted to get a proven winner like Andy Thomson back on board.”

It is a philosophy shared by Vince Macaulay, whose Lions side are also fancied for silverware and who head to Surrey United this evening.

He said, “We had made our minds up as to what sort of team we wanted before the season ended, but most importantly what sort of competitors. I wanted to see them all first-hand and hence got on my bike to do exactly that.

“I’m excited by what we have now. We always want to play a strong high tempo and exciting game, we want to be very aggressive and dictate tempo.”

With just a handful of wins last season, his counterpart Jack Majewsk is counting on an improvement.

“We went to Oostende to play over the summer and that was a great experience,” he insisted.

“We played a couple of other friendlies against top European teams – we are far better prepared than last year.”

United also travel to the Pavilions to face Plymouth in the BBLTV game on Sunday – although Raiders must firstly negotiate a historic south-west derby at Bristol Flyers, who in turn, will then make the long trip to Glasgow to face Rocks.

“We want to get our campaign off to a positive start,” reiterated Flyers’ play-caller, Andreas Kapoulas.

“The two upcoming games will give us an indication of our progress so far and all of us, including the coaching staff and players, are looking forward to the challenge.

“The players have worked hard and the standards are high. The arrival of experienced players has provided a fresh perspective and a boost on the depth of the squad.

“We also know the season is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Leicester Riders are of course now perennial title contenders and they host Manchester Giants tomorrow, before a visit to Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday.

“Every summer is different, but what we have tried to do is bring in as many good players as possible that will give us that versatility to win in a number of ways,” mused head coach, Rob Paternostro.

“Meanwhile in the first few weeks of the season, it is difficult to prepare because you haven’t seen the other teams enough yet.”

Sheffield Sharks and Durham Wildcats both have double headers too, with the pair going up against each other tonight, before the former travel to Manchester Giants’ new home on Sunday and Wildcats host debutantes, Leeds Force.

The rookie Force will play their first ever game in the top flight and head coach, Matt Newby is simply eager to get started after putting in an immeasurable amount of preparation on and off the court.

“The summer was very demanding,” he confessed.

“But I feel our objective is worthwhile and it was important for me and all the staff that have worked so hard to build the basketball programme in Leeds to finally see us take to the floor.

“I would personally like to thank the BBL and its members for the advice and support they have given us in preparation for our inaugural season.

“We are excited about the forthcoming campaign and I feel that’s been reflected in the dedication our players have shown during the pre-season.”

Enjoy the games!