Match Preview: Hunting the Hawks

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells says his side will use its NBL Blitz games over the coming days to find its rhythm.

The Sixers have added six new signings in the off-season with the squad assembling over the last two weeks to begin pre-season training.

Wells’ outfit will have some good tests at the Blitz with Wednesday night’s match-up against reigning NBL Champions Illawarra to be followed by a meeting with Tasmania on Saturday night.

Speaking before the team departed for Canberra on Tuesday, Wells was focussed on this side continuing to learn about each other given how little time the 36ers group has had together.

“You're definitely trying to connect certain players and try to find an early rhythm with your team and, you know, try to find some things that work, whether it's player combinations, defensive rotations and stuff like that,” Wells explained.

“But unfortunately, we have a few injuries, so it's taken a few of the main guys out of the rotations in practises, but you're still trying to build the foundation of the things that are important for your team and how you want to defend.

“I don't think those ever take a day off.”

SQUAD NEWS

The opening Blitz game against the Hawks will come too soon for star import Montrezl Harrell, who is yet to arrive from the United States, where he captained the Chicago Triplets into the final of the BIG3.

Gun recruit Bryce Cotton has experienced some knee soreness in recent days and will be rested while Isaac Humphries and Matt Kenyon will also sit out with minor calf complaints as the 36ers take a cautious approach with a view to hitting the floor firing in Round 1 in just over a month.

“The goal is always to be ready for the Brisbane game on September 28^th,” said Wells.

“We've got a long time to that time still. We know a lot of days, practice days, and we haven't had the whole team together yet because Trez hasn't been here yet, but he'll be joining us soon and then, you know, things will start to take shape in the group. when you add him in.”

The player absences will give opportunities to development players Magok Manyang and Che Brogan as well as nominated replacement player Blake Jones. Tom Kubank has also travelled with the side to cover any player absences.

Illawarra’s star recruit JaVale McGee also won’t play as he recovers from pneumonia in the US. The club still expects the three-time NBA champion to arrive in the country in the coming days.

While the reigning champs have lost a couple of key players including Trey Kell III (Toyama Grouses - Japan) along with young star Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago Bulls - NBA), they haven’t rested on their laurels.

As well as McGee’s signing, the Hawks have bolstered their frontcourt with the signing of experienced forward Jonah Bolden along with some NBL1 talent including Harry Froling. But they’ll be without Sam Froling for a large chunk of the season after the star big man suffered an Achilles injury in last season’s Championship series.

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs ILLAWARRA HAWKS
AIS Arena, Canberra, Wednesday 27 August, 7:30pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 138, Adelaide 81, Illawarra 57

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 13, 2025 – 36ers 91 def Hawks 88 at AEC
Nov 10, 2024 – 36ers 93 def Hawks 79 at AEC
Oct 5, 2024 – 36ers 102 def Hawks 100 at WIN Entertainment Centre
Jan 20, 2024 – 36ers 96 def Hawks 89 at WIN Entertainment Centre
Dec 31, 2023 – Hawks 91 def 36ers 84 at WIN Entertainment Centre