Lions renew Riders rivalry: London @ Leicester – BBL Championship

by UK American Sports Fans

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Saturday 13th October

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders vs London Lions

Despite having a new name, playing in a new arena and being classed as a new team, Vince Macaulay’s London Lions are still likely to be rivals of the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders with Saturday 13th October the first meeting of the two sides this season.

Lions owner and coach, Vince Macaulay, spoke to UKAmericanSportsFans.com in the off-season and stated that he still believed the rivalry between the Milton Keynes Lions and the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders would continue despite the extra 50 miles geographical gulf between the clubs, understanding that his Lions incarnation and the Riders still have ties.

“The rivalry will always be there (between the Lions and Riders),” said Macaulay, speaking before the season started. “We’re still the Lions, we’ve got players from last year and obviously, I’m synonymous with that (MK).”

However intertwined the histories of the two clubs may be, the present day product is vastly different with the Lions, sitting at 1-3, still trying to iron out the issues of playing in a new city with a new team, while the Riders, under the stewardship of Coach Rob Paternostro, head into the weekend clash unbeaten at 2-0.

The 2-0 start for the Riders can partly be attributed to the quick start that a number of the summer signings have made. Centre, John Fraley in particular, has hit the ground running and been a revelation, averaging 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds a night. Maybe most impressive is that Fraley has 15 offensive rebounds in two games.

The Lions will head into the game, buoyed by their slim 95-91 victory over the then-undefeated Surrey Heat, a game in which Tayo Ogedengbe, Duane James and Orlan Jackman each scored over 20 points.

It was the Lions first win of the season in four attempts and showed that Macaulay’s side have the ability to dig deep and get the win in close situations, a skill that both the Riders and Lions may need if last seasons two game winning shots are a good indication.

Tip-off in Leicester is scheduled for 7:30pm