bball.com.au
Years ago
bball.com.au game preview
Saying tonight's game is a 'must win' for the 36ERS sounds a bit rash, given that it is only the second game of the season, but when coaches analyse the year's schedule, beating the Razorbacks - now the Sydney Spirit - at home simply HAS to happen. Yes, these Pigs have lipstick - but they're still the Pigs.
After last week's encouraging season opener, the 36ERS have their tails up. Aaron Bruce was excellent, Mark Tydale . . .blah, blah. No-one knows better than Scott Ninnis that last week's win, while exciting and pleasing, was as much about how awful the Crocs were, as it was about the 36ERS being any good. When Townsville got the Sixers in the half court, Adelaide looked lost. No surprise to the coaching staff there, given the late arrivals of many key players.
The good news tonight is the Spirit are another soft target. Young and talented, but disjointed and soft. Coach Rob Beveridge described their defence as 'simply disgraceful' . . . oops!
The good news for the Spirit . . . NO-ONE expects them to win tonight. They can come in and play loose - something they're good at. They have no chance of stopping the 36ERS in the full court, but half court - that's another story. Adelaide were bumping into and tripping over each other in their half court sets last week, and if not for Brett Maher's shooting, would have REALLY struggled.
No-one on the Spirit team would make the 36ERS starting five, it's pointless even mentioning names. Hell, SYDNEY basketball fans don't even know who they are. But if they can slow the game down, I given them the faintest of sniffs.
Bottom line: Big pressure on the 36ERS tonight. They can't lose to the Spirit at home . . .can they??
