Leicester Riders face Glasgow Rocks in re-match

by UK American Sports Fans

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Since the Glasgow Rocks handed the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders their first league back-to-back losses of the 2011/12 season, Paternostro’s men haven’t tasted another defeat.

They’ve racked up victories on the road against the Cheshire Jets, Durham Wildcats and the MK Lions while handling business at home by beating the Sheffield Sharks. With each victory, Paternostro’s team have further suppressed the memory of the 87-82 defeat to the Rocks. But regardless of how hard they have tried to rid themselves of those thoughts, they are still aware of the threat the Rocks possess, despite their injury plagued season:

“I’ve watched a lot of their games this year and their injuries have been big” Riders coach Rob Paternostro informed. “You have two guys in EJ Harrison and Sterling Davis that are talented players but were relied on for leadership and savvy play and it’s been hard for them to get healthy and that’s why you see them as being inconsistent. But that has allowed others players to step up and gain confidence; Huffor, Wedemire – those two guys have been able to play more minutes in (EJ) Harrison’s and (Player/coach Sterling) Davis’ absence. I think that as they move on throughout the season, I think that will make them a better team.”

In contrast to the Rocks stop-start season, the Riders have been fortunate to be able to play a settled starting five game after game. The line-up of Rundles, Wierzbicki, Hardy, Sullivan and Royster have been averaging just over 30 minutes per player per game during which time they have combined for 71.9ppg, 28.1rpg, 14apg, 5.4spg and 2.9bpg – 78.4% of the Riders offensive and defensive output. So what does that mean for the Rocks?

Stop the starters and your chances of stopping the Riders goes through the roof.

Shutting down the Riders starters is easier said then done though, especially when the threat comes from all over the floor and from all angles. But the Rocks have an added advantage having beaten the Riders before (and on the Riders home floor), the only difference between the team they beat in January and the team they face tonight is confidence. And as the league knows, a confident Riders side is a dangerous Riders side.

Get down to the John Sandford Sports Centre tonight for the re-match between the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders and the Glasgow Rocks. Tip-off is at 7:30pm.