Basketball Ireland preview

The quarter-finals of the play-off's take centre stage this weekend with Neptune set to host DCU Saints, while UCC Demons travel to Belfast Star.

Neptune managed to secure second place in the Southern Conference after an excellent run which has been in no small part down to the arrival of the experienced Pat Price as head coach.

The signing of Juwann James has also proved pivotal with his 32-point game average this season helping greatly in the club's change of fortunes.

'We are very focused on the job at hand,' said Price. 'This team has worked extremely hard to make the playoffs, and I am so proud of the commitment the lads have demonstrated since last summer.

'In order to be successful on Saturday, we will need to curtail the influence from the point by Emmet Donnelly, the three point shooting of Eoin Quill and James Donnelly and the inside presence of Martins Provisors and Mike Trimmer,' added Price.

'Our bench contribution in the past few weeks has been invaluable to our progress, as their defensive efforts have been as influential as the points they have scored. That could be the deciding factor this week as DCU Saints have a deep bench.'

Price should also be wary as the last meeting between the side's saw Neptune emerge from DCU in early February with just a slender nine-point win.

A poor run of results threatened to leave the Saints' play-off hopes in tatters but a surprise 75-72 win away to Killester ensured third place despite late advances from Ulster Elks.

Saints have their selection problems with Michael Chubb facing a race against time to be fit after his recent ankle injury, while Martins Provizors is expected to miss out due to family commitments.

'We are excited about the game but are well aware we must be massive underdogs,' said Saints Guard Emmet Donnelly. 'Considering the resources of both clubs and with Neptune having home court advantage it is truly a David & Goliath challenge.

'However, we believe that if we can emulate our performances of our last couple of games we will give ourselves a great chance to come away with the win.'

Reigning Nivea For Men's SuperLeague champions UCC Demons maintain their defence with a tricky tie away to Belfast Star.

It's the second time in a week the sides have met with Demons emerging from their latest tussle with an 82-76 success last weekend.

Their latest win over Star meant it was their third win over Danny Fulton's side this season, with other successes secured in both league and cup in December.

'Even though we won the game last Sunday, we must play even better to win next weekend as Star are a very tough team and will relish a home quarter final.

'Defensively we must do a great job containing Star's Kevin Ratzsch and Scott Sumersgill as they are the main scoring threat at present. We will again have to defend their three point shooting and cannot let them get easy transition baskets.

'On offence we must continue to share the ball well and we need to fast break at every opportunity. We will need to execute our half-court sets and cannot afford to be careless with the ball and most importantly we will have to control rebounding.

'We must continue to play with the energy, passion and commitment I have seen in the past few games.'

Fergal Toner and Scott Summersgill are a doubt for Demons through injury but their head coach Danny Fulton is hopeful his side can finally get one over their bogey side this season.

'We have had a good season so far,' said Fulton. 'Players like Kevin (Ratzsch) has come in and done a terrific job and played a big part in our revival this campaign. Demons have beaten us three times this season but we are getting closer to them all the time.

'We managed to come from 16 behind in our last game to lead by a point at one stage so that is encouraging,' he added. 'We cannot afford to let the likes of Niall O'Reilly score 25 points again and they also have a very good player in Joshua Johnson, who has impressed recently.'

Meanwhile, in the IrishSport.TV Women's Superleague, reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork travel to National Cup champions DCU Mercy in the final game ahead of the Play-Off's.

The sides have already secured home advantage ties in the semi finals but Montenotte will be hoping to keep their 100% record intact.

'It would be nice to keep the record going but more importantly the game will provide good preparation for the play-off's,' said Montenotte Head Coach Mark Scannell. 'We had a great display against UL last weekend and hopefully we can maintain that level of performance against DCU.'

Montenotte did beat Mercy on the opening day of the season but Mark Ingle's DCU side avenged that defeat by claiming a 68-55 win in the final of the Women's SuperLeague National Cup final.

'The game should be ideal in terms of preparations,' said Mercy head coach Mark Ingle. 'It's a good competitive game at this time of the season and hopefully I will be able to give everyone a run. It's been a good season so far but now we have to get focused for the all important play-off's.'

Montenotte will host Killester in the semi finals, while DCU Mercy face a tough test at home to third place UL.