The final full series of fixtures in the Nivea For Men’s Superleague regular season takes place this weekend with one play-off place still up for decision.
Ulster Elks welcome an Abrakebabra Tigers side still vying to make the quarter finals, while fellow contenders HOOPS and Limerick Lions face DCU Saints and Belfast Star respectively.
Northern Conference champions DART Killester face Neptune, while Southern Conference winners UCC Demons welcome UCD/Marian to the Mardyke Arena.
HOOPS’ Head Coach Ahmad Smith insists his side must turnaround their form if they are to stand any chance of extending their season into the play-offs.
‘DCU Saints are a tough experienced side,’ said Smith. ‘We played so well against Belfast Star last Thursday and then followed it up with a woeful display against Neptune. It was so frustrating to see the performance dip so low.
‘We have a young squad and I am more worried about our performances on the court than fretting over the play-offs. We have two games left and we must try and end the season on a high note.’
Saints, who narrowly missed out on third place in the Northern Conference, will be without suspended duo Mike Trimmer and Emmet Donnelly as they prepare for their final game of the season.
Limerick Lions are still in the hunt despite their midweek loss to Neptune, but will need maximum points from their games against Belfast Star and HOOPS.
Limerick have no injury worries ahead of the two games and their Head Coach JP Nerbun is hoping the two games will engender a sense of camaraderie in his side.
‘Going into our last home game next Saturday we really hope to come together as a team,’ he said. ‘The last four games we have not been playing good basketball, because we have been playing as individuals.’
Star can make it eight wins in a row away to Lions this weekend.
Abrakebabra Tigers’ play-off hopes took a dent on Wednesday at the hands of UCC Demons, but they can give themselves a glimmer of hope with a win away to Ulster Elks on Saturday night.
Tigers will be without long term absentees Kieran Donaghy and Michael Quirke, but head coach Kevin O’Donoghue is proud his charges have managed to end the season with something to play for.
‘It’s been such a tough year,’ said O’Donoghue. ‘Some predicted we might not win a game all season but we reached the semi finals of the National Cup and can still book a play-off place.
‘There is a great togetherness and that probably came about with so many negative things happening this season.’
Ulster Elks will be looking to sign off their second season in the league with a win and the game will mark experienced campaigner Gareth Maguire’s last as a superleague player.
‘We know that this is an important fixture for Tralee and we expect the encounter to be very tough particularly if CJ Hadley plays the way he did last time he played in our gym in the first round of the cup,’ said Elks Head Coach Deirdre Brennan.
DART will be without Michael Bonaparte (Shin) and captain Jonathan Grennell (work commitments) ahead of their clash at home to Neptune.
Neptune have booked their spot in the play-offs and may use Saturday’s clash as an opportunity to give some of their fringe players some valuable court time.
UCC Demons’ phenomenal run continued away to Tigers midweek and they are unlikely to ease up for their final regular game of the season at home to UCD/Marian on Sunday.
‘Demons must be ready for one of the biggest challenges of the season,’ said Demons Head Coach Douglas Leichner.
‘We want to finish the regular season on a high note as we head into the playoffs. This ends the busiest week of the season for the Demons. We are treating this game as a dress rehearsal for the playoffs.’
Meanwhile, DCU Mercy were crowned Basketball Ireland’s Regular season winners last weekend, but this weekend’s clash with Team Montenotte Hotel Cork represents a repeat of their enthralling National Cup semi final clash.
‘Of course it is nice to end the regular season with just one defeat, but our attention must now turn to the play-offs,’ said Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle.
‘Montenotte will be good preparation this weekend and should be a great clash if our meeting in the National Cup semi final is anything to go by.
UL Aughinish can still confirm second place this weekend depending on their result against Tolka Rovers.
‘If we want finish regular season in second position we have to win this game,’ said UL Head Coach Sasa Punosevac.
‘It will be hard because it is a team who have improved this season. Both Americans (Jolie Niland and Eva Cunningham) are getting most of their points per game. We must support fast brake and leading the game if we expect to win.’
DART Killester will be buoyed after claiming their first win of the season at the expense of Meteors but face tough opponents in the shape of Bausch & Lomb Wildcats this weekend, while Meteors face Leisureworld Churchfield IONA.
