Raiders @ Wildcats: BBL Championship preview

By the time the UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders arrive at Newton Aycliffe LC for their 4:00PM tip-off against the Durham Wildcats, they will have travelled 411 miles, a journey that – according to Google Maps – takes 7 hours, 19 minutes. And that’s without traffic.

Factor in that they played with only six players last night, against the team at the top of the BBL table – the Leicester Riders – in a gut wrenching 83-80 defeat and there’s every reason to expect the Raiders to struggle today.

Coach Love’s side will receive a boost for the game though, with guard, Michael Ojo, returning to the team following his one game suspension which was served against the Riders.

The Durham Wildcats are currently exceeding early season expectations, reaching last seasons win total of three games, in just seven games and although a 101-74 defeat to the Lions is their last result (played on 09/11/12) their home form has been solid, with wins against the Mersey Tigers and Manchester Giants coming in the last two weeks.

Their schedule doesn’t get any easier with three of their next four games on the road, so a win against a likely tired Raiders team, is important if the Wildcats are to position themselves among the play-off pack.