BBL ChampionshipMarshall MK Lions v Glasgow Rocks. Friday 02 October 2009 (7.30pm) @ Bletchley LC. The weekend's action begins on Friday evening this week as the Marshall MK Lions welcome the Glasgow Rocks to their home venue for the first time this season. The last time the sides met, the Lions came out with a 99-97 win over the Scottish side, on 13th April 2009 at Kelvin Hall. However, as the new season is now underway, both sides have made changes, but have managed to keep an experienced core of players for the 2009/10 campaign.

The Lions had a busy weekend last weekend, with a game against Worcester Wolves, at home, which they won comfortably 94-81, and an away fixture against the Cheshire, which a Paul Peterson three pointer edged them out of 78-77. Head Coach Vince Macaulay is still doing everything he can to get Point Guard EJ Harrison into the UK, and says that his side took a lot from last weekend: 'We are still not sure if we will have a point guard in or not by Friday, and we are enlisting the help of our local MP in finding out why he can't get in yet, but last weekend showed that this team has a lot of character. We applied ourselves very well against Worcester and then going to Chester, we knew what to expect against a veteran side. It took us a while to get going, but when we did, we held them to just thirty points in the second half, and really should have won the game.'

The Rocks meanwhile, were in action against local foes, the Newcastle Eagles on Sunday night, missing out on the win by four points as the Eagles snatched the game 86-90. Player-coach Sterling Davis, however, feels that the result last week will be beneficial to his side. He said: I think the Newcastle game was something to build on. They have a very good team; probably the best in the league again this year, and to be able to hold them to a four point game at this point in the season is not bad. We know what we should have done differently and once those things have been addressed, we will be ok.' In terms of players that will threaten his side come Friday, Davis singles out former GB International Yorick Williams as the Lions' major threat. He added: 'Yorick Williams can be very dangerous when he gets rolling. He shot the ball extremely well last game and he has one of those shots that are very hard to defend. All you can do is stay up close and hope he misses.'

Newcastle Eagles v Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders

Friday 02 October 2009 (7.30pm) @ Newcastle Arena

Reigning league champions, the Newcastle Eagles, welcome the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders to the Metro Radio Arena on Friday evening, in an eagerly anticipated early season clash. Last year's first and third placed teams will battle it out with the majority of last season's squad returning, and both sides had emphatic victories last weekend, as the East Midlands outfit defeated the Sheffield Sharks 113-93 at home, and the Eagles had wins against Cheshire and Glasgow.

The game is the first of two in a tough weekend for the Riders, as they also play the Everton Tigers at home on Saturday, but Coach Rob Paternostro was pleased with his side's performance against Sheffield last week, and is looking forward to the challenge. He commented: 'We have a difficult week ahead of us. A trip to Newcastle followed by a game against Everton is certainly a big challenge, but I was happy with how hard we played against Sheffield. We have had some good practices; we have ten guys who are very competitive day in, day out, and it was nice to see that intensity on display last Saturday versus Sheffield.' Regarding Friday's opponent, Paternostro is full of respect for the Eagles as an organisation: 'Newcastle are the defending champions and they have had a great start to their season' he said 'They really know how to win, and they seem to be able to figure teams out and then go for the kill. I've always enjoyed the games up in Newcastle as their fans turn out in numbers and make it a nice atmosphere.'

Eagles' player-coach Fabulous Flournoy feels that the Riders strength lies in their back court, particularly dynamic point guard Tack Minor, and he is under no illusions about what his team face on Friday: 'I think this could be one of our toughest games of the year in reality. They look good on paper and it sounds like they have got off to a good start. From the first game, it sounds like (Bradd) Wierzbicki and (Tack) Minor will be their main threats. We know some of their other guys, but clearly the spark plug for them is Minor, and how we control him will have a major impact on the game.' Although Flournoy is impressed with the Riders new playmaker, he warned that his side cannot forget some of the Riders more experienced players. He added: 'Any guard who has a triple double in his first game is clearly key, but we will also look to shut down intangible guys like Lataryl Williams and Tony Windless, who give them a big boost and veteran leadership.'

Sheffield Sharks v Worthing Thunder

Friday 02 October 2009 (7.30pm) @ EIS, Sheffield

After a twenty point victory over Plymouth Raiders last weekend, Dave Titmuss' Worthing Thunder will look to continue their fine form against the Sheffield Sharks, who were beaten 113-93 by the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders last Saturday evening.

The Thunder had four players in double figures against the Raiders, and Titmuss emphasises the need for his team to have strength in depth, particularly for his first double header in charge of the South Coast outfit. He added: 'We face a big test this week and I think when you're looking at a plan for the season it's obvious how important the development of effective depth is. This week, because we're on the road at Sheffield on Friday and then play Glasgow at home on Saturday, I have no doubt that depth will be a factor in our performances and results.'

His opposite number, Sharks player coach Atiba Lyons, was less positive about his side's outing to Leicester last weekend, despite the fact that they were not at full strength. He commented: 'Leicester historically is an extremely tough place to play. They played very well and are very explosive in the open court. We were two men down and to compound that Todd Cauthorn fouled out, but we just never had enough in the tank to mount a comeback and they did a great job of keeping us at bay.' Whilst he had praise for Leicester's performance, Lyons slammed his team's defensive efforts, adding: 'Defensively, it was a poor effort by us, as we allowed one hundred and thirteen points. That just isn't Sharks basketball!'

One bright spot of the Sharks performance at Leicester was the debut of new signing Mike Cook, who top scored in the game with 36 points.

Source: www.bbl.org.uk