Rebound’s Chris Hughes takes the wheel to preview this week’s feature game.
Introduction:
On the whole, both sides have had promising starts to the season with 3.1 and 2.2 runs respectively. Thames Valley Cavaliers’ only defeat came against Reading Rockets in GW 2 with home court advantage.
The Warriors have lost all their games on the road this season with tough assignments v Derby Trailblazers (3.1) and Team Solent Kestrels (4.0). Thames Valley Cavaliers’ first of three road trips before the Christmas break is the 16th November.
Both sides may well be interested in keeping tabs on the result of Westminster Warriors v Team Solent Kestrels among others.
Thames Valley Cavaliers are currently one of five teams on a 3.1 run chasing the unbeaten league leaders. They will not want to lose further ground. The Kestrels seem unstoppable with their lowest win being a massive 18pt lead away to last year’s runners up and trophy champions (Worthing Thunder).
Warrior’s 8th – Warrior’s 9th
Currently Westminster are 8th and Leicester sit in 9th split on points difference. Leicester’s heavy loss to the league leaders (112.56) is why they find themselves in 9th place. Team Solent Kestrels travel to Westminster this week and depending on results, a loss for both sides could actually see Leicester rise to 8th.
If both sides lose:
Leicester would need to finish GW5 with a higher points difference (currently -20 behind) and Bradford and Barking would also need to lose.
Last 5 games
Thames Valley Cavs:
19/10/19 (H) v Worthing Thunder 90. 76
12/10/19 (H) v Liverpool 121.67
05/10/19 (H) v Reading Rockets 93.108
28/09/19 (H) v Bradford Dragons 82.78
13/04/19 (A) Play off SF v Team Solent Kestrels 104.64
Leicester Warriors:
19/10/19 (A) v Team Solent Kestrels 112 56
12/10/19 (H) v Nottingham McDonald’s Hoods 105.92
05/10/19 (H) v Bradford Dragons 72.68
28/09/19 (A) v Derby Trailblazers 91.90
06/04/19 (A) v Play off QF v Team Solent Kestrels 100. 71
Last time they met:
23/02/2019 Leicester Warriors 105.99 Thames Valley Cavaliers (OT)
The Warriors needed one quarter of OT to beat today’s hosts. McLemore and Sylla contributed for TVC with 30 and 37pts respectively. The Warriors were lead by Thomas Edwards (25 pts) who has now gone onto to play for BBL side Bristol Flyers.
Player news and analysis:
Leicester have unearthed a gem in TJ Henderson. The Guard is one of the league’s highest average points per game in 4 games he has averaged:
25.5p/7.3r/2.8a/2.5s. He is a shooting threat to watch out for. On average, 43% of the shots he takes are 3 pointers. Of those 3 pointer shots he takes he also has a 43 3P%.
Lamin Willan will also be key if the Warriors want to get the win on the road this weekend. So far the wingman has assisted the Warrior’s cause by enjoying some of his best stats while with the franchise. Averaging an improved 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg and 1.3 spg.
A lot of hype surrounded the Cavaliers in preseason after recruiting Blayne Freckleton and Taylor Johnson, while also keeping key players from last season. So far they have shown the hype for them was warranted.
McLemore was the main outlet for shooting last season, averaging 19 shots a game only Sylla and Defreitas averaged 10 or more shots per game. This season McLemore is still averaging most shots a game (16.5) but having to share the responsibility with Sylla, Freckleton and Johnson.
Taylor Johnson was shirting up for Leicester Warriors last season but the move to TVC seems to have worked well for him with a vast improvement. Last season from 12 games he averaged: 21p/6.2r/3.4a with a 51.5 FG% and 38.7 3P%. This season from 4 games he has averaged: 26p/7.3r/5a with a 67.9 FG% and 50 3P%
Leicester are currently on game two of a five game road trip (Solent, TVC, Barking, Reading and Liverpool).
Chris Hughes asks Warrior’s star Martin Gayle if a stretch of away games makes it difficult to build momentum:
MG: “No, I don’t think it’s difficult to build from the run of games on our schedule. We have a solid team early on this year and week to week our chemistry grows stronger.
We had a kick up the backside from last years champs (Team Solent Kestrels) on the road, so it’s given us a better understanding of what we need to do better as a team and individually in order for us to be successful on the road.
It can be a good thing to get the away fixtures out of the way, but only if we produce some positive results. We take every game as it comes to us home and away.
It’s good knowing we have a group of games at home where we will make it difficult for anyone to come and play us.
We also heard from TVC‘s Martelle McLemore on what’s changed since last season for his side:
“I think the biggest change in this season and last season is I feel this season we not only have just as much if not more talent as last season but also the team actually gels well and complement each other better which translate to great chemistry .
MM: “We expect a tough blue collar game against the Leicester Warriors. They are a very capable team that can beat anybody on a given night.”
Thames Valley Cavaliers’ Head Coach Robert Banks also adds his thoughts ahead of the game:
“This week’s game against Leicester will be a very difficult match-up as they are well coached and they always compete at a high level.
RB: “This season they are also blessed with a good arsenal of shooters and scorers. Being led by TJ Henderson, who is averaging 27 points per game and Martyn Gayle averaging above 15 points. We will have to be at our best defensively and come to the match with a strong mindset ready to battle for 40 minutes.”
CH: “With your side midway through a 7 game home stretch (not including cup games). How do you feel your side will respond when inevitably they will have a bulk of away games to play after the Christmas break?”
RB: “Historically we have played very comparable both at home and on the road, so road trips don’t really bother us. Our greater concern is about getting and keeping players healthy with no major injuries. Injuries have historically been a more significant impact on our performance rather than location of match. We train and shoot at 3 different locations, so we are accustomed to different venues. If we achieve good health, we will be ready to compete at a high level on the road.”
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