MK Lions at Sheffield Sharks preview
Friday 24th February 2012
BBL Championship Preview
One Health Sharks Sheffield v MK Lions
Fans of Sheffield Sharks may have become accustomed to seeing big Forward Justin Dobbins suited up and ready to play at the EISS on a Friday night. However on this occasion it will be in the uniform of the MK Lions following the Sharks decision to cut him from their roster last week. Dobbins replaces the departed Howard Crawford with Lions’ Coach Mike New moving quick to bolster his side.
For the Sharks, the focus is now on a ‘small ball’ game as stated by Atiba Lyons in last week’s programme notes. There was a welcome return to Sharks ranks for ‘General’ Ryan Patton, who commenced last Friday’s 87-78 win over the Guildford Heat with an explosive first quarter and a trademark three from distance to signal his comeback. Patton gelled immediately with fellow native of Ohio, Jimmy Langhurst producing forty points between the backcourt duo. Langhurst excelled with the lay-up last Friday but it remains to be seen whether the Lions are as generous on defence as the struggling Heat were.
Another key factor in last Friday’s win was the performances of Mike Tuck and Colin Sing. Tuck stepped comfortably into Dobbins’ size 14’s to record 21 points and 12 rebounds on his way to the MVP award. Sing was deployed to use his height at either end of the court and produced possibly his best display in a Sharks jersey. The use of Sing and fellow Sheffield Hallam University student Zac Gachette will be crucial to the Sharks run-in given the on-going problems with de-registration of players and the limited six / seven man rotation the team are utilising. Coach Lyons’ side currently find themselves in sixth position with an 8-9 record as they strive to achieve the best playoff position they can muster.
Milton Keynes come into Friday’s match on the back of a narrow 96-99 loss at home to Leicester Riders. The prolific Demarius Bolds rattled up another 39 points to cement his status at the top of the BBL PPG table with an impressive average of 25.6. Bolds was somewhat subdued in his last appearance at the EISS as the Lions dipped by 85-66 but again he will be the man that the Sharks will have to target. MK’s other main threat will come from Daniel Northern, currently leading the BBL in rebounds with 11.8 per game. The Lions find themselves one place below Sheffield, looking to push on to the best playoff position possible much in the same way that the home side are aiming for. The return of Dobbins adds some spice to the fixture, as he will undoubtedly look to prove the decision of his former employers was wrong.
A tasty encounter awaits those making the journey to the English Institute of Sport for the 7.30pm tip-off!
