Old rivals Newcastle to christen new Glasgow arena

Arguably the biggest rivalry in British basketball could hardly be a more fitting way to christen the new Commonwealth Arena in Glasgow as the Rocks will take to the court of their new home for the first time against the Newcastle Eagles in a BBL Championship match on 7th October.

The regular season for the sole Scottish BBL franchise tips-off on Friday 21st in Newcastle, while the new franchises will also see action on Opening Night, with the East London Royals taking on Sheffield in Yorkshire and the Manchester Giants start with a home tie against the Milton Keynes Lions.

Following their home opener against the Eagles, Glasgow will see their first action against the Manchester Giants in a BBL Cup match-up the following week, while they take on the East London Royals for the first time at the Commonwealth Arena a fortnight later.

Highlights of the schedule for the 2012/2013 season include two tough back-to-back away games against the Raiders, who the Rocks beat in the play-off quarter finals last year, and Guildford in early November and a Scottish BBL Trophy derby against Edinburgh in early January. The Rocks were somewhat lethargic in a 78-60 victory against the Scottish League champions last season.

February sees the team play six games in 17 days, including away ties against East London and Durham, who will be looking to improve on their rookie campaign last time out.

The regular season finishes with an enticing couple of games in a three day span against the Eagles in Newcastle and Mersey Tigers at home on 7th April.