BASKETBALL:UCC DEMONS will get the opportunity to ease some of the National Cup final heartache caused by Killester when the two sides meet in the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague this weekend.
Killester ended Demons’ reign as cup holders in January, with Jermaine Turner earning the MVP award for his devastating all-round performance.
“We must contain Jermaine Turner throughout the match by playing physical inside,” said Demons’ head coach Luke D’Alessio yesterday.
“We must also limit their outside shooting. Offensively, we must handle Killester’s tough man-to-man defence and get into our half-court sets. We cannot turn the ball over so as to limit their fast break opportunities. We need our A-game this weekend to be present from the outset.”
Demons have already enjoyed victory over Mark Keenan’s side this season, courtesy of an 82-71 success in November.
Elsewhere, UL Eagles will be hoping to take their opportunity to claim the Southern Conference this weekend away to DCU Saints.
Their last attempt failed away to Ulster Elks in overtime but their Ireland international Stephen King is hopeful the side can secure top spot in advance of the play-offs.
“Ulster Elks played very well but we weren’t helped by the number of injuries we had last weekend,” said UL guard King.
“Hopefully this weekend will see us clinch the conference but DCU have a lot of experience and quality so it won’t be easy.
“DCU are a very fast team that always stay with you,” he added. “Any win we have had over them has only been by a couple of points so it is by no means a certainty this weekend.”
The race for the other play-off positions continues, with DCU Saints also set for a trip to Belfast Star, while Ulster Elks face a tough challenge at home to Neptune, and UCD/Marian and Belfast Star host Moycullen and HOOPS respectively.
Meanwhile, in the IrishSport.TV’s Women’s SuperLeague, leaders Team Montenotte Hotel Cork host Meteors, while play-off chasers UL and Killester clash on Saturday night. Sligo All Stars’ latest search for their first win of the season comes at home to a vastly improving Bausch Lomb Wildcats.
National Cup champions DCU Mercy take on Tolka Rovers in an all capital affair in Sunday’s sole Women’s SuperLeague encounter.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today: Men’s SuperLeague: Belfast Star v DCU Saints, De La Salle College, Belfast, 8.45. Men’s Division One: Titans v St Brendan’s, Renmore Community Centre, 8pm. Saturday – Women’s SuperLeague: Sligo All-Stars v Waterford Wildcats, Mercy Sligo, 6pm; Team Montonette Hotel Cork v Meteors, Littleisland Sports Complex, 7pm; UL Basketball Club v Killester, UL Arena, 7pm. Men’s Division One: Queen’s v Ballon, Stranmillis College, Belfast, 4pm; Waterford v Maree, Waterford IT Sports Hall, 7.30; Team Garvey’s St Mary’s v Titans, Castleisland Community Centre, 7.45; Team Subway Portlaoise v Team Loftus Ballina, St Mary’s Sports Hall, 8pm. Women’s Division One: Brunell v Ulster Rockets, Parochial Hall, 5.15; Thurles Knights v Liffey Celtics, Presentation School, Thurles, 6pm; Team Kilkenny v St Pauls, O’Loughlin Gaels Gym, Kilkenny, 7.30.
Sunday: Men’s SuperLeague: Ulster Elks v Neptune, University of Ulster HPC, 3pm; UCD Marian v Moycullen, UCD Sports Centre, 3pm; UCC Demons v Killester, Parochial Hall, 4pm; Belfast Star v Hoops, Queens PEC, 3.45; DCU Saints v UL Eagles, DCU Sports Complex, 4pm. Women’s SuperLeague: DCU Mercy v Tolka Rovers, DCU Sports Complex, 2pm. Women’s Division One: Brunell v UL Basketball Club, Parochial Hall,Cork, 2pm.
