by Vlad Ionasc
The Nix will look to bounce back from their Derby Day defeat when they’ll take on the in-form Glasgow Rocks at the EPSV later today. Phoenix head coach Ben Thomas will miss the game due to food poisoning.
Cheshire defeated Glasgow twice at the Mike Burton Pre-Season Invitational, however the Scottish side has benefitted from the arrival of star point-guard Jordan Johnson as they’ve started their BBL Cup campaign with a couple of impressive wins over the Newcastle Eagles and Manchester Giants.
The Nix have had a full week to prepare for the fixture, while the Rocks played the Giants on Friday night.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Sunday 3rd October, 2021
Tip-off: 5:30 p.m.
Competition: BBL Cup Group Stage
Where: EPSV
How to watch: Tickets available on the door / BBL Player
ROCKS SCOUTING REPORT
Gareth Murray, Boban Jacdonmi, Fraser Malcom and Jonny Bunyan have all returned for the 2021/22 season, however the Rocks lost the services of Marc Kwedi, Callum Mortimer, Isa Brandon, David Mpondo and Julius Van Sauers over the summer.
The Rocks recruited Jaycee Hillsman, Jordan Johnson, Jordan Harris, Elijah Minnie, Ali Fraser and Murray Hendry during the off-season.
The Scottish side finished as runners-up at the Mike Burton Invitational, with their only wins coming against the Bristol Flyers.
The Rocks have enjoyed a good start to their BBL Cup campaign, as they’ve picked up two wins in three games. They defeated the Newcastle Eagles on the road, 82-72, and the Manchester Giants at home, 107-82, but dropped the game against the Sheffield Sharks, 69-79, in Glasgow.
Johnson scored 22 points in his debut against the Eagles and followed up with a 24-point performance in the loss to Sheffield. Minnie and Fraser led the way with 21 points apiece against the Giants, however Johnson wasn’t too far behind with 19 points.
KEY PLAYERS
Glasgow Rocks: Jordan Johnson — The American guard is currently leading the BBL Cup in scoring, with 21.7 points per game and he also ranks second in assists, with seven dimes per game. Johnson is shooting 62.5% from the floor and leads the league in field-goals made (25).
Cheshire Phoenix: Kyle Carey — The 6’6 swingman is usually tasked with defending the best player on the opposing team so it’s very likely that he will be matched up against Johnson for the majority of the night. The Nix will also expect Carey to improve his offensive output as he’s only scored seven points in the first two games of the season.
NEXT HOME GAME
The Nix will go up against the Sheffield Sharks on Sunday 10th of October in the third home game of the 2021/22 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.