Riders aim to keep run going on the road against Wolves
PATERNOSTRO EXPECTS IMPROVING WORCESTER SIDE WILL PROVIDE TEAM WITH TOUGH CHALLENGE
LEICESTER Riders look to keep their good run going in the BBL Championship, when they go on the road again, for the third league game in a row, this Friday evening (7pm), to take on the Worcester Wolves.
The Riders are undefeated so far in away games in the Championship, but it will be their first look at the Wolves, who have had a slow start to the campaign this season, after winning the BBL Cup for the first time last season, beating Bristol Flyers in the final.
Last season, the Wolves were in the running in the BBL Championship title race, with a 9-5 record, when Covid-19 brought the league to a finish in mid-March.
They have back again this season their wily Dutch captain Maarten Bouwknecht, who runs the team from the point guard position.
He is one of just two returnees, along with experienced British forward Jordan Williams, for Wolves head coach Matt Newby, in his second season in charge.
It is all change in terms of the American imports, with centre Mike Parks signed from Memphis University, after he had a short spell in the NBA G League.
Shooting guard Brandon Anderson joined from Brown University in the Ivy League, where he averaged 18 points a game.
Another young guard, Lamaar Kimble, has pedigree as a graduate of the University of Louisville, a perennial powerhouse in US College basketball, and forward K J Lawson is from Tulane University, where he averaged 13.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
British forward Josh McSwiggan was previously part of the Riders programme. The former GB Under20 forward spent last year in France, after graduating from the University of Portland.
Guard Micah Elan starred at NCAA Division III level at PomonaPitzer, and holds a British passport, while guard Henry Wilkins is very familiar to league watchers following his recent spell with Surrey Scorchers.
This season the Wolves finished bottom of their Group in the BBL Cup with a two and four record.
But they have fared much better in the Championship, where they have a four and four record, including wins over Glasgow, Cheshire,
Manchester and, last Friday, away at Bristol.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro is really pleased with the form of his team, and looking forward to taking on the Wolves,
“We are in a good place defensively, as we have been seeing all season,” he said.
“It has taken longer to get consistently into our offensive play, but that is understandable.”
“Getting timings right on offence is always something that can only happen through repetitions.”
“Now we are facing a Wolves side that is really improving week by week.”
“They had to start their season without their imports due to Covid, and that provided opportunities for other guys to step up.”
“That is helping them now, because they know much better what the bench can add to their new recruits.”
“They are now on a good run themselves, having won three in a row. Their last win at Bristol at the weekend was a real confidence booster, because they gradually built a lead away from home, and hung on when Bristol came back.”
“In the experienced Jordan Williams they have one of the best British players in his position.”
“And their Dutch guard really helps to settle things down.”
“We are really looking forward to the match-up, and to see how we can perform there.”