Indian Panthers (0-1) v Logik Franklin Bulls (2-0)
The Panthers have gotten off to a turbulent start to the Sal's NBL season that gets a wee bit bumpier with an early season coaching change. With their first ever home game against fellow Southerners (South Aucklanders that is) Franklin who are likely to bring a truckload of fans and have been locked in on the defensive end to start the year, the table is set for an interesting early season match that will decide South Auckland supremacy.
When: Friday 21 March, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Bruce Pulman Arena
Watch: Live on | New Zealand: Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube | Sky Sport NZ Tik Tok for livestream
Boxscore here
Last Time Out:
The Indian Panthers took took a squad of aspiring and former NBL players to Hawke's Bay to open the season and performed admirably before the superior conditioning and preparedness of the Hawks overcame the adrenaline and the legs ran out of juice, eventually succumbing 112-78. Alex Robinson (24pts, 8rbs, 5ast) and Jaylen Gerrand (16pts, 3rbs, 2ast) the bright spots for a squad that is still a week away from finding a full roster.
The Bulls jumped out to double digit lead early on the Whai, looking like they might be able to put it into cruise control to claim their second victory. But in the second half the offense sputtered to the tune of 20 points total and the lead would get cut to just 3 points with minutes remaining before the Bulls claimed the victory 65-61. Tae Hardy (19pts, 6rbs, 4ast, 2stls) and Reuben Te Rangi (13pts, 9rbs, 3ast) leading the way on offense but it was the clubs gritty defensive determination that claimed the victory on the day.
What to Watch For:
The Panthers are hopeful that Indian nationals will be suiting up for the first time this year but the squad is more than likely to feature a single import in Alex Robinson. With a week of training under the legs of their temporary squad we should a better effort as in the clubs second game, but this will still be an offense that will need to bide its time and save some reserves for the second half. Robinson and Gerrand will be the engine for the offense and look for Leon Henry to let a few triples fly as they try to penetrate a tough Bulls defense.
The Bulls carved out an early season identity as a punishing defensive unit under Coach Sebastian Gleim in his first season and that grind has continued in the first week of Mad March. Tae Hardy seems the latest in the line of quality Franklin import guards who can play on both ends and his speed in transition supplies some easy buckets that are important to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Til Gloger will have an advantage on the interior but it remains to be seen if the Bulls prefer to play through the big German in the post. Tobias Cameron has been pesky on defense and when combined with the remaining veteran starters in Marcel Jones and Reuben Te Rangi you quickly see why the club is so formidable on the defensive end. This should be an opportunity to expand the offensive repertoire, but if that fails to fire the defensive prowess will be difficult for the Panthers to counter.
Small Sample Size Stats:
Panthers - The club unsurprisingly sits at the bottom of the league in most statistical categories offensively 43% efg (11th), 40% assist rate (12th), 2% block rate (12th), 21% free throw rate (11th), 65% defensive rebounding rate (11th) but has shown promise taking care of the ball (12% turnover rate, 3rd best) and taking it away (13% steal rate, 3rd)
Bulls- The defense is good (79 defensive rating, 1st, 14% steal rate, 2nd) but the offense has yet to find its feet due to a heap of turnovers (20% turnover rate, 11th) and a lack of interest in shooting the ball from deep (26% 3point rate, last) and a lack of paint penetrations leading to low free throws (24% 9th)
Matchup to Watch: Alex Robinson v Tae Hardy - the import guards look to be excellent foils for each other, with the speed and court vision of Robinson matched by the physical tools and unorthodox but effective shooting ability of Hardy.
