Newcastle Eagles must play the Long game — and the smart game — if the club is to triumph in the face of adversity.
That’s the verdict of the club’s crack Canadian forward as the Tynesiders return to European competition.
Cole Long warmed up for a mouthwatering ENBL quarter-final first leg tie against Bakken Bears with an Eagles-high 24 points against London on Sunday.
And he insisted a Newcastle roster missing starters Mike Okauru and Malcolm Delpeche is still more than strong enough to keep the club’s season alive.
“All season the ENBL has been a competition that’s provided us with a great opportunity to prove ourselves a group,” insisted Long.
“Nothing’s changed. We’re a couple of guys down but we’re looking forward to the challenge and to playing the basketball that’s got us this far.
“It’s one game in Denmark and one game back home — our entire ENBL campaign comes down to the next 80 minutes and we’re ready.”
When the draw was made for this month’s quarter final there’s no doubt that the Eagles were clear favourites to make the Final Fours.
Marc Steutel’s men topped their qualifying group in style before embarking on an unbeaten run through February — after scooping the SLB Trophy the month before.
But Newcastle’s entire season took a turn for the worse when both Delpeche and Okauru went down within the space of 48 hours.
And now hosts Bakken will be confident of progressing to the semi-finals and dumping the Eagles out of the competition for the second season running.
“It’s terrible what happened to Malcolm and Mike but we’ve just got to figure out a way to deal without them for a little while,” added Long.
“We weren’t able to do that over the weekend so we’re just going to have to figure it out.
“It’s obvious to say we were missing those guys against Gladiators and Lions.
“Mike and Malcolm bring so much energy and without them more guys need to play more minutes and need to bring more of their game.
“The fact is we need to find another level without two major players but nobody’s shying away from that.
“We are into the final two months of the season and the biggest stage of the season so there’s no time for a reset.
“This group’s been together long enough now to keep winning games. Even without the other guys we’re good enough to do that.”
Long looked determined to fill the void at the Copper Box Arena on Sunday as he added eight boards and two assists to an impressive points haul.
And only a disastrous start cost Newcastle the chance of a win in a game that was neck and neck for 37 minutes.
Racing out of the blocks against Bakken — and making more of their shooting opportunities — is essential against the dangerous Danes.
But Long is confident the visitors can snap a three-game losing streak and bring a vital lead back to the Vertu Motors Arena next week.
“I believe in our team and I think we believe in each other, so we’re going to have to learn fast and bounce back,” he added.
“We’ll figure out a way. This team has made a habit of bouncing back all season.
“Almost every night it’s a different person who steps it up on this roster — it’s been a trend throughout our season. I think we have more than enough to grab the win this week.”
The Tuesday night European Playoffs action tips off at 5.30pm UK time and will be screened live and for free via the ENBL YouTube channel.
