After only playing four competitive games since the season opening SLB Championship win on 21st September at Caledonia things are about to get very serious for the Newcastle Eagles.
They embark on Friday night on a run of three games in a mere 5 days. Two on the road in The SLB and their season opener in the European North Basketball League group stage.
The Mattioli Arena Leicester is where it all starts as Head Coach Marc Steutel’s men travel to face a Riders side that is currently sitting bottom of the standings with four losses from four games.
An unusual place for a team that defeated The Eagles in last season’s Playoff Final at The O2 Arena London. On that day back in May the Riders were just too hot to handle for Steutel’s Newcastle.
But now Rob Paternostro’s charges have started the current season in less than convincing style and changes to the roster were mooted and have been effected. Out have gone American guard Mike Mitchell Jr and ex-Eagles forward Duke Shelton.
So far Riders have only announced one incoming with 7’ 3” GB International centre Aaron Menzies returning to Leicester for his second spell with the Club. He will suit up against Newcastle and Riders are also looking and hoping to add another new face.
For Newcastle they too have made another change. After bringing in Maceo Jack just before the season opener to replace Caleb Huffman they have now released centre Brett Reed and brought in explosive guard Deion Hammond.
Not a like-for-like switch so it’s going to be intriguing and very interesting to see how the game plays out with both sides having new looks and new players to acclimate into their rotations.
For Steutel it’s about bounce back. Last Friday’s narrow 5-point defeat at home against London Lions was their second successive SLB Championship loss. A poor start to the game and similar at the start of the second half being the catalyst for the tough loss.
Steutel referred to that start when talking about a game where there were positives to take although ultimately a loss is not what he and his team wanted on their record.
“I keep saying to the group that there are positive signs but there are so many things that we have to clean up and it’s really controllable stuff. That’s the frustrating thing. There’s nothing that’s complex it turns on fine margins.”
“Two or three runs, two or three possessions at a time. I’m proud of my group because we battled but we also put ourselves in a position where we had to battle. So we have to start to find a way to start games more effectively for sure.”
Eagles revealed this week that both Captains Darius Defoe and now Josh Ward-Hibbert will miss this weekend’s games. Defoe is on the road to recovery but the big blow for Newcastle is Ward-Hibbert being out until the New Year at the earliest.
“I’m not one to make excuses and we have to find a way with what we have,” is Steutel’s answer to their absences.
“Every team in the world signs players and there’s no guarantee that the players are going to stay healthy all season. We miss them and we want them back in our group as soon as possible but we have to find a way with where we’re at and what we have now.”
“We’re a competitive group. We know that we’re going to have some ups and downs. Both losses were only two possession games so that’s tough. There’s definitely strengths in there but we have to find a way to develop.”
Two of the brightest sparks and strength in the London defeat were the performances of young British centre Manny Kanwie and USA point guard Ray’Sean Taylor who had 32 points to lead all-scorers in the game. Both of whom Steutel gave a mention too.
“Manny in 12 minutes played is +17 so that shows you his impact. He’s someone that has really impressed me from the get-go and I’m really enjoying his contribution to the group and we have to find a way to get more from him.”
“Happy for Ray’Sean. There’s still the odd little play there that we all including him can look at. But to get to the line for 14 free-throw attempts shows he was aggressive and I still think he can improve. I liked his defensive fight and thought he took steps forward with that.”
Now after a week’s practice and a new face in the line-up Steutel is prepared and took the time to get his side ready to face the upcoming three tough games in such a short period. Leicester and Cheshire away and then
“It’s a lot. We’ve had to start by being really mentally and tactically tuned in as we began our preparations and clean up some areas. It’s all well and good if we do that in practice but we have to make sure we translate that onto the floor.”
“Leicester are obviously going through a bit of transition with a few roster changes. It’s always a difficult place to play regardless of where they are. They’re going to be hungry for that first win.”
“We have to make sure we start the game the right way. We have to make sure it’s about us again and really clean-up those fine margins and turn them into our favour.”
Leicester and Cheshire away in the SLB Friday and Sunday and then back home to take on Dziki Warzsawa in the ENBL. Steutel will know a lot more about his team and players after such a tough schedule is negotiated.
Tickets for Tuesday night’s first European game of the season at home in the Vertu Arena are on sale from the box office.
Fans not travelling to Leicester can watch the action live and for free exclusively on DAZN.
