36ers set to tip off against Phoenix

Adelaide open their Loggins-Bruton Cup NBL Blitz defence on Friday night in the Top End against a hungry South East Melbourne Phoenix outfit looking to bounce back after a disappointing NBL22.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell has changed over half of his roster as he looks to get his club back into the playoffs after a heartbreaking semi-final loss in NBL21 to eventual champion Melbourne United.

The 36ers will be looking for their first win of the NBL23 pre-season after suffering two defeats last weekend to Perth Wildcats in Western Australia.

THE KEY
Like Adelaide, South East Melbourne have retooled in their three import spots for NBL23.

Centre Alan Williams has come in from Russian club Lokomotiv Kuban, point guard Gary Browne was recruited from Turkish club Petkim Spor and swingman Trey Kell comes in with high regard from Italian powerhouse Olimpia Milano.

The new Phoenix trio stepped out for the first time last week as the Phoenix lost 88-83 and 84-80 in Tasmania against last season’s grand finalists the JackJumpers.

Williams made an immediate impact in both games and he brings energy and strong defence.

Kell is a knock down shooter and got to his spots, scoring 14 points in the first loss and nine points in game two.

Browne slowly found his rhythm and created opportunities from the point with his defensive skills, which shone brighter with every minute on the hardwood.

THE SECRET
The Phoenix pride themselves on their three-point shooting and have a number of players who can get hot and score in bunches from the perimeter.

Ryan Broekhoff has made a career out of hitting the three-point shot, but the Rio 2016 Olympian won't be out there due to a hamstring injury which may sideline him until the opening round.

New import Kell is a hired gun from the outside. Reuben Te Rangi can catch fire if left alone and Kyle Adnam can also be a menace from outside the arc.

The 36ers’ increased perimeter defence, highlighted by the recruitment of reigning defensive player of the Year Antnoius Cleveland, will help Adelaide’s cause in this area and expect the trio of Cleveland, captain Mitch McCarron and Sunday Dech to lead the charge at the defensive end.

THE FINAL WORD
With boom off-season recruit Robert Franks suiting up for his 36ers debut and the Phoenix missing their main man in Mitch Creek (foot), expect Adelaide to be own the glass and control the paint at both ends of the floor.

Both Creek and Broekhoff didn't travel to the Top End as they continue their recoveries from injury.

Craig Randall II will look to continue his breakout second half he had against the Wildcats last Sunday in Western Australia and expect Cleveland, Dech, McCarron, Daniel Johnson and Kai Sotto to play more on Friday night.

Both sides will be suiting a lot of new players after busy off-seasons, the Phoenix only keeping five from their NBL22 roster, while Adelaide coach CJ Bruton will be tasked with getting his side to gel with a number of new faces for NBL23.

Expect Phoenix recruits Junior Madut and Grant Anticevich to make an impact at some stage. Madut can be active on both ends of the floor, while Anticevich showed he will be a handful on offense.

THE MATCH
Adelaide 36ers vs South East Melbourne
Marrara Sporting Complex, Darwin
Friday, September 16, 7.30pm ACST

DEPTH CHART
PG: Browne* | Adnam | 
SG: Kell* | Foxwell
SF: Te Rangi | Madut
PF: Williams* | Anticevich
C: Pineau | Rissetto