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Years ago
36ERS v Crocs preview
After perhaps the busiest off-season in 36ER history, the first game has arrived and it's time to shelve the rhetoric and get down to business.
The Pura Milk 36ERS take on the Townsville Crocodiles in the opening match of each team's NBL Season. How will it pan out? Let's take a look . . .
The Crocodiles are small and fast this year - or should I say 'smaller and faster'. They have never had real dominating bigs, and with the departure of Greg Vanderjagt, but inclusion of ex-King Russ Hinder, they have gotten more experienced and more savvy.
Rosell Ellis returns this year after spending a year on the sidelines, and will look to resume where he left off pre-injury - leading the league in rebounding. While the evergreen John Rillie and exciting Corey 'Homicide' Williams make a formidable backcourt. Daniel Egan, Michael Cedar, Kelvin Roberston, Cam Tovey and Brad Williamson are likely to see significant time as well.
I can't see the Crocs winning in a half-court slog with the Sixers - not that the 36ERS will be that flash in the half court either - but rather, this will be a spectator's delight with a rash of fast break basketball on offer.
There is an enormous amount of offensive talent on both teams, and early indications are that both head coaches will let their teams run with it.
For the Crocs, Williams is the sole creator for his group. His ability to find even the smallest lanes to the basket have given opposition defenses nightmares in the past. Around him are a great group of catch-n-shooters who are deadly if given an inch, and the 36ER defense would do well to 'stay at home' and let Williams try and beat them by himself - rather than bring everyone else into the game.
For the Sixers, how they use Luke Schenscher in this game might be the key. Against a smaller group in a mobile game, he'll be a fish out of water. If the half-court game becomes relevant, so does Schensch. His length and shot-blocking ability will really give Ellis some grief, but if Williams finds the lane with regularity, Luke will be forced to rotate, giving Ellis easy dish-offs en route to a monster game.
Bottom line - keep Williams out of the paint (like stopping the tide at times) and don't let players like Rillie, Cedar and Robertson hurt you from the perimeter.
For the 36ERS, Brett Maher yet again is the anchor. Consistent performances are what makes him as good as he is. He is relishing not having to be the primary ball handler, and can play exclusively off-guard now that Aaron Bruce has arrived (provided, of course, Brad Davidson's back pulls up OK as expected). Mark Tyndale looms as a 'what-if' scenario. Early indications are that he is struggling with the pace of the NBL game, and seems to 'run into the wind' back on defence. Hopefully the bright lights will turn this young man on and we'll see why he was so highly touted.
Adam Ballinger has been the biggest concern for the group so far. Last season's Club MVP has been battling a serious back complaint since January and hasn't fully shaken it. Can he (and the coaching staff) manage it through to full fitness? Jacob Holmes is another whose pre-season form has been indifferent - perhaps a mix of toeing the company line, and insufficient time to find his niche in a new system, new team and new coaches.
Offensive keys - establish a low post game with Ballinger and/or Schenscher to put some pressure on the smaller Crocs inside. This will hopefully open up a perimeter game to compliment what will always be a deadly offensive transition.
Defensively - can they play it, quite simply. Staying in front of your man has been hard enough without Homicide glaring at you.
Game time: 7pm this Friday, Sept 19.
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