Wolves v Raiders (BBL Cup semi): Tale of the tape

As the Worcester Wolves prepare for one of the biggest weekends in their top flight history we take a look at how these two sides stack up.

This Saturday and Sunday’s games will be the fourth and fifth between them in just over two months, so they both know a lot about how the other likes to play. Worcester’s Paul James has coached his side to a 2-1 record over Gavin Love’s men going in to game four.

Probable starting fives:

Wolves – Fernandez, Prezzie-Blue, Freeman, Gordon and Kaslauskas.
Raiders – James Jones, Williams, Rowe, Colbert and Bell.

Sherrad Prezzie-Blue v Jeremy Bell

These two went toe to toe scoring 24 points each when these sides last met at the University of Worcester in the Championship. On that day in November Worcester won by just one point with Bell given an opportunity at the buzzer to win it for the Raiders.

Last season’s league MVP, Bell has played six games for the Devonians averaging 22.17 points per game (ppg) and 2.67 assists per game (apg). Prezzie-Blue over 11 games averages 14.64 ppg and 4.91 apg. Both those stats along with one other tell you a lot about how these two point-guards are used by their coaches. Bell is often Plymouth’s go to man from outside, particularly if their sometimes monstrous inside game is stifled by their opponents. Prezzie-Blue will spend more court time directing the play when the Wolves run their halfcourt sets.

The other stat I referred to is field goals attempted (fga). In five games fewer than Prezzie-Blue, Bell has made 20 more attempts on the basket. Understandably so too as Bell averages 53% on 91 attempts. Prezzie-Blue averages a solid 45% on 71 attempts and without trawling through the stats from his last six I would suggest he can’t be far off the average of Bell over those games.

Tommy Freeman v James Jones

Former Tiger Jones has been quiet in the two games I have seen him this season, and the stats will show you that he has really struggled from distance. The shooting guard has managed just 15% of his shots from behind the arc sinking only 5 from 32. The GB man has plenty to offer Gavin Love’s men however, particularly by way of coming up with the ball off their own boards and providing the ammunition for Williams and Rowe. Add to that the fact that history tells us that his three point percentages won’t stay that low for long, and in Jones, Love knows he has a potential game changer.

Right now, Freeman is just shy of 45% from 20 feet. But that doesn’t tell you the story of Tommy Freeman. Yes he can take a game away from you from outside, but he can also hurt you in the paint. Freeman is fearless on the court and that strength of character means he never takes his eyes off the basket no matter who is in his way. This ultimately has seen him and will see him at the line a lot this season (often for the ‘and one’) and let him stand there at your peril, as the stats show he has converted over 83% of 55 attempts.

Freeman has a first round NCAA Championship win against the Georgetown Hoyas to his name which will clearly be one of his playing highlights to date. But a trip to a big show if not ‘the big show’ (the playoff finals) would be an amazing start to his professional career.

Carlos Fernandez v Lehmon Colbert

Fernandez has put in some outstanding performances in recent weeks. He is a great out on a quick transition and has been ghosting past BBL defences with some very skilful play as he adapts to life in the league. His quick thinking and quick hands give him an excellent ability to drive and dish giving Worcester good opportunities in the paint.

Colbert is often referred to as a small forward but is often employed by the Raiders in a power-forward role. With the second highest ppg average in the squad so far this season (17.67) and a 62% conversion rate from the field, Colbert makes sure he gets the attention of defences around the league. He is the perfect foil for Rowe and Williams; forget about him and you can forget about winning.

Richie Gordon v Paul Williams

These two are everything you want in that Centre position and are two of the most explosive players in the league. Just thinking about this matchup should put a smile on your face. If you love basketball, but you haven’t seen much of the British League, make your way to one of these games on Saturday and Sunday and watch these two battle it out.

Both have owned the low post this season with Gordon averaging 17.09 ppg and 8.64 total rebounds per game (rpg). The former Catamount has amassed 95 rebounds in 11 games. Williams can better than right now however, with 92 rebounds in two less games and with an average of 10.22 rpg. Make no mistake, this contest will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this semi-final. For the record, Williams has an average of 14.56 ppg.

Arnas Kasluaskas v Anthony Rowe

These two are both slightly unorthodox forwards and both have the ability to score form anywhere in and around the arc.

Much has been said about Kaslauskas’ positioning when he pulls the trigger from distance but all that matters is how effective it is. The big man has put down 19 buckets from three point range so far this term. To have a forward who can not only occupy a defences attention at the perimeter to help free up your more established shooters but can knock them down himself is a real asset to this Wolves squad and their coach. The bread and butter of his game ticks over nicely too with 33 defensive boards to date.

Rowe is a great shooter of the ball running at 54% from the field this season. He won’t shoot from behind the arc, but he will step inside from 17 or 18 feet and do a lot of damage. Good in close as you would expect, Rowe is often the beneficiary when the attentions are turned on Williams inside as he gets his fair share of ball off the boards. With 52 defensive rebounds and 17 offensive so far he averages 7.67 rpg.

This two legged affair is going to be one hell of a shootout. Worcester know they have to keep Plymouth quiet inside and that their zone defence is key if they are to win this contest. They will seek to engineer looks from three whenever they can and if the Wolves can start playing string music from the off the Raiders may have to think again. Jones will be hoping to step it up from distance and the ever accurate Bell will be a threat all game, particularly as the way you have to defend Plymouth naturally opens the game up for him.

Gordon has a big role to play under his own basket. Worcester have at times this season not dominated their own boards enough and if you give Williams, Colbert or Rowe a second chance, they’re not going to give it up.

It won’t just be the starting fives and the matchups mentioned that can turn this game. Watts, Callum Jones and Michael Ojo all have the ability to come up big in any contest. Watts is a further threat from three and Callum works well in the halfcourt offense and is a constant threat down the lane. Ojo averages 10 ppg in seven games.

Recent Jekyll and Hyde performances for Plymouth against the Eagles and the Riders demonstrate both the devastating ability and inherent weaknesses in their game. Worcester will be hoping to once again exploit the latter.

Stats provided by BritHoops.com