As the Eagles didn’t have a game in the final weekend we are not present! There’s no change to the leader board in the penultimate line-up, with neither of the main contenders included this week.
Matt Pressey (Plymouth University Raiders)
It was a bitter-sweet final weekend of action for Pressey after he initially inspired his team to an excellent road win at London Lions, only to subsequently see Raiders slide out of a precious play-off spot in a dramatic conclusion to the regular season. The guard fired 23 points at the Copper Box Arena via an exceptional 70% shooting performance in the capital. And, it wasn’t only his offensive prowess which stood out, since he also added eight rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in an all-action effort.
Ralph Bucci (Durham Wildcats)
It was very much the headline performance of the weekend and unsurprisingly, the Wildcats’ guard produced the best display anywhere in the BBL with his stellar contribution against Cheshire Phoenix. Bucci chose the perfect time to come up with a majestic triple-double which propelled Durham to a historic maiden play-off place. He delivered one of the best nights of his BBL career by amassing a wonderful 16 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, on a memorable night at Newton Aycliffe. This was the fifth time the Wildcats assistant coach has found himself in our line-up.
Danny Huffor (Durham Wildcats)
While his Wildcats team-mate was getting the bulk of the credit for the success against Phoenix, Huffor provided the perfect cameo and one which would have probably attained MVP status on any other night. He got Durham over the finishing line and into their best ever regular season placing by collecting a sparkling 27 points after some excellent shooting inside the arc and slashes to the basket which witnessed him making 10 of his 15 attempts. He also added seven rebounds and a couple of assists to make our starting five for the second time this season.
Gareth Murray (Glasgow Rocks)
The Great Britain forward produced one of his best displays of the season as the Rocks fought off Surrey United, only too suffer disappointment and get edged out of the play-off picture. Murray was on fire from all over the floor and had the hot-hand on his way to 21 points, making an efficient four of five from inside the paint and converting four scores from long-range. He also did the dirty work on the glass and just missed out on a double-double by a solitary rebound. An excellent night of work was sealed with six assists, two steals and a block.
Mike Tuck (One Health Sharks Sheffield)
Reflecting a consistent level of performance by his team, the Sharks’ forward has been a cornerstone of a productive season which has resulted in the Yorkshire club taking runners-up spot. He proved too hot to handle for Manchester Giants after scoring 23 points from an eye-popping 73% shooting performance and that will be something his opponents will be wary of as they prepare to meet once again in the play-off quarter-finals. Showing his strength in the paint, Tuck also secured a double-double by pulling down ten rebounds and added two steals and a block for good measure.
Off the bench – Will Creekmore (Worcester Wolves), David Aliu (Manchester Giants), Zaire Taylor (Worcester Wolves), BJ Holmes (One Health Sharks Sheffield). Victor Moses (Cheshire Phoenix), Nick Freer (Surrey United), Elvisi Dusha (Surrey United)
