Next two are must-win: Randall II

Craig Randall II said the Adelaide 36ers squad have circled the next two games against Illawarra and Perth as must-win games.

The 36ers enter this week with a 2-3 record following back-to-back losses to New Zealand and South East Melbourne.

Randall II said it’s important for the team to get two wins this week before the FIBA window.

"We're still getting better, obviously those two losses were big for us," he said.

"We're still trying to build and figure it out, no excuses being made, we didn't have the best pre-season, we had people injured and in the FIBA window.

"When it clicks, it's going to click and I think everybody knows when it clicks, there won't be a lot said about us a team.

"These two games are two games we have circled.

"We've got to win them, that's how we feel, we feel we need to win every game, but these two are big because we just lost two in a row.

"To win these two games with some momentum coming back from the break will be big for us.”

Randall II also hit back at criticism he received online over the weekend.

"I don't win games by myself, and I don't lose games by myself," he said.

"When we lose, I know a lot of people have a lot to say about me, but I feel the same way every time,"

"My teammates get me open shots.

"I have the ball a lot, and teams are going to be on me, but there's no weight on my shoulders, it's just the way the game goes.

"A lot of people are making statements and assumptions through what they say, they don't really hear the conversations.

"People are going to have opinions and be critical, but the only criticism I listen to is from my coach, as long as he and my teammates are good with me, everybody can say what they want to say.

"Right now, we're not playing the best, but in February, when this all clicks and we're standing where I think this we can stand, I hope everybody has that same energy towards us and me that they do now.”