Melbourne braced for funky stuff

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

NBL champions United, who have moved to the top of the league standings after beating the Sydney Kings on Monday night, 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 back court.

“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’ve got to have in the back of your mind what haven’t they shown us. I’d assume they’ll come with more pressure in the back court 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, in the over-time season-opener in Wollongong and a hard-fought win at Melbourne Arena last month.

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

United decided against flying Goulding to Wollongong, desperate to let the shooting guard’s bone bruising settle, but he might suit up for Sunday’s clash with Cairns at Melbourne Arena.