BASKETBALL WEEKEND PREVIEW:NATIONAL CUP champions UCD Marian return to the realities of the Nivea For Men's Superleague this weekend with a double header against DCU Saints and 11890 Killester respectively.
The students claimed their first national cup title after producing one of the biggest ever shocks in the sport last Sunday by beating cup specialists 11890 Killester.
Despite the excitement created by the win, Fran Ryan’s charges will have to avoid any complacency this weekend particularly with the opportunity of moving into second place in the Northern Conference.
“This week is obviously about repositioning our focus to what is a huge game in our season and indeed in Saints’ season,” said Ryan.
“Saints have been flying under the radar because of the distraction of fans on the cup but if you look at their recent record they are the form team at present.
“Killester will be rightly waiting to prove a point on Sunday,” he added.
“We will wait to see, but clearly coming off a Saturday night game and 24 hours later playing the lead team in the conference is not our ideal cup of tea.”
For Killester, this weekend is an opportunity to shake off the heartache of relinquishing their cup crown and switching their focus on retaining the league.
“We need to dust ourselves down and work harder this week than we did last Sunday,” said Killester coach Mark Keenan.
“It’s all about getting ready for the league play-offs now and it’s up to ourselves to rebuild our own confidence and there’s no better way to start that process than by winning next Sunday. ”
Elsewhere, Southern Conference play-off chasers Neptune and UCC Demons have tricky assignments to negotiate against UL Eagles and Belfast Star respectively, while Ulster Elks host Moycullen.
In the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, DCU Mercy entertain Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, just a week after claiming the National Cup at the expense of the latter side at the National Basketball Arena.
“It’s a big game to start back with and it’s not ideal as there is so much at stake in the league for both teams,” said Mercy coach Mark Ingle. Both sides will be motivated for this one.
“The cup is over now and we must solely concentrate on the closing weeks in the league.
Meanwhile, in-form UL make the trip to the capital to take on Meteors, while Waterford Wildcats meet Black Forge Oblate Dynamos.
SATURDAY:Men's SuperLeague – UCD Marian v DCU Saints, UCD Sports Centre, 7.00; UL Eagles v Bord Gais Neptune, UL Arena, 7:30.
Women’s Superleague – Waterford Wildcats v Black Forge Oblate Dynamos, Mercy Secondary School, 18:00.
SUNDAY:Men's Superleague – Ulster Elks v Moycullen, University of Ulster HPC, 2.30; UCC Demons v Belfast Star, Mardyke Arena, 3.15; 11890 Killester v UCD Marian, IWA Clontarf, 7.00.
Women’s Superleague – Meteors v UL, Coláiste Eoin/Iosagáin, 3.00; DCU Mercy v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork), DCU Sports Complex, 15:30
