Big challenge for Riders as they face the mighty Lions
LEICESTER Riders face the first leg of a weekend double at the Morningside Arena when they play the undefeated London Lions tonight in the qualifying stages of the BBL Cup (8pm).
Both teams are already through to the quarter-finals, the first two BBL clubs to qualify.
So this game, and the return leg in the capital in just over a week’s time, will determine only the final placings in the group and their future opponents.
Sandwiched inbetween will be Sunday’s BBL Cup home tie against Plymouth City Patriots (4pm).
Despite their success last season, their first under new American private equity owners, when they won the BBL Trophy and were beaten Play-off and Cup finalists, the Lions have continued to develop their playing squad for another crack at European competition this season.
Experienced head coach Vince Macaulay returns to try and lift the Lions to the next level.
Also returning is the ex-Sheffield Sharks guard Dirk Williams, who has turned into one of the most potent three-point threats in the BBL, and former BBL MVP and GB international Justin Robinson, as fine a British guard as has graced the game.
They are joined by the returning former Riders players Chris Tawiah, Josh Ward-Hibbert and Jordan Spencer.
Gone are ex-NBA star Deandre Liggins, point guard Kevin Ware and forward Orlando Parker.
Macaulay has recruited a couple of highly experienced BBL campaigners in former Worcester forward Jordan Williams, and former Plymouth Raiders star Will Neighbour.
Coming in with NBA G league experience is point guard Isaiah Reece, centre Kylor Kelley and forward Julian Washburn, along with three-point specialist Lorenzo Cugini. Reece is a graduate of Canisius University and played in the Golden State Warriors affiliated G league team and has already made a big impression with the Lions.
Washburn is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, where he averaged 11 points and four rebounds per game, and has spent most of his career in the G League since college, as well as having a spell in New Zealand.
The 7ft Kelley, 24, is a graduate of Oregon State University, where he averaged 12 points and five rebounds a game in his senior year.
Cugini is a dual national American with an Italian passport and had a spell in the Spanish Gold league before joining the Lions.
The Lions were knocked out of the Champions League but caused a shock when they made light work of Dutch club Donar Groningen in their first FIBA Europe Cup match.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro knows Riders will be up against it with London’s hugely talented squad.
“We all know we have qualified but we will see where we are healthwise,” said Paternostro.
“But this London game will be a good one for us because the Lions are so talented.
“They again have all the weapons this season, but also seem to have a good team chemistry, which makes them very dangerous.
“When you watch them on film you have to be impressed. They move the ball very well and look for the open man.
“We know the talent they have, and we know the athleticism they have.
“When they are playing together, as they have been recently, they are going to be very tough to beat.
“But we will look forward to it and see what we can get out of the game.”
Leicester Riders: Geno Crandall,
Zach Jackson, Marc Loving, Mo Walker, Patrick Whelan, Conner Washington, Victor Ndoukou, Darien Nelson-Henry, Justin Hedley, Kimbal Mackenzie, Jubril Adekoya, Louie Jordan.
London Lions: Justin Robinson, Will Neighbour, Jordan Williams, Isaiah Reece, Lorenzo Cugini, Julian Washburn, Kylor Kelley, Josh WardHibbert, Jordan Spencer, Dirk Williams, Chris Tawiah, Andre Lockhart.