United on guard

‘Funky zones’ warning

DEAN Vickerman has warned Melbourne United to be on the lookout for “funky zones” and “more pressure” ahead of tonight’s game against Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong.

The NBL champions, who moved to the top of the league standings last Monday night after beating the Sydney Kings by seven points, will play four games in the next 10 days, including a trip to New Zealand.

With Chris Goulding (knee) officially ruled out yesterday, United expects the Hawks to go after Casper Ware and Mitch McCarron in the backcourt.

“I absolutely expect Illawarra to come with everything,” Vickerman said.

“They’ve had a little stretch of games that they probably haven’t played the way they have wanted to play and had a good week to prepare for us, so it will be high energy.

“You got to have in the back of your mind what haven’t they shown us, what are some things they’ve done in the past they haven’t shown us.

“I’d assume they’ll come with more pressure in the backcourt and really try and tire our guards, being a guard (Goulding) down. They’ve also thrown some funky zones at us too, so we got to be prepared for that too.”

United has defeated Illawarra twice already this season, including the quadrupleovertime season opener in Wollongong and a hardfought win at Melbourne Arena last month.

Despite the lopsided record, the Hawks have been their own worst enemy this season, giving up early leads before clawing back into contention without winning.

United decided against flying Goulding to Wollongong, desperate to let the luckless shooting guard’s bone bruising settle fully. Goulding is an outside chance to suit up for Sunday’s clash with Cairns Taipans at Melbourne Arena.