WNBL Preview

Yep, I'm still waaaayyyyyy behind so here is the preview of this weeks WNBL action courtesy of: www.wnbl.com.au

WNBL: ROUND 3 PREVIEW

A mouth-watering clash between heavyweights Bulleen Boomers and Sydney Uni Flames is the highlight of Round 3 of the Women’s National Basketball League.

You can follow the WNBL action on www.wnbl.com.au, with LIVE STATS, on WNBL Radio, and on ABC TV.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16

ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames (5^th) v Global Metals Bulleen Boomers (1^st), 7.00pm* AEDT at ACUVUE Sports Hall, Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre. ABC TV GAME OF THE WEEK – will be broadcast on delay from 1.00pm AEDT Saturday October 17 on ABC1

In the most anticipated game of the round the two pre-season favourites finally meet.

The key match up here will be between Opals starting centre Suzy Batkovic-Brown and Australian basketball’s ‘next big thing’ Liz Cambage.

Cambage has made a smooth transition into the Bulleen lineup after graduating from the AIS in August but coming up against two-time Olympian Batkovic-Brown will be the 18-year-old’s toughest test yet.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio from 6.30pm.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sydney Uni 29 – 21 Bulleen

Bendigo Bank Spirit (4^th) v BDS Logan Thunder (6^th), 7.30pm at Bendigo Stadium

While Bendigo easily accounted for Logan in two games last season, the Thunder came within two points of upsetting the Canberra Capitals last week.

Bendigo point guard Kristi Harrower was named Player of the Week in Round 2 and Logan will need to limit her influence on the game if they hope to get the win. Harrower and forward Lauren King have been the main destroyers for the Spirit but Logan has a greater contribution from across the team.

Logan will aim to travel better this season after claiming only three wins on the road in 2008/09. While two wins were over the 10^th-placed AIS, Logan’s first road win was an impressive victory over the Adelaide Lightning, and the Thunder became the only team to defeat Adelaide at home last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bendigo 2 – 0 Logan

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17

Australian Institute of Sport (10^th) v Global Metals Bulleen Boomers (1^st), 7.00pm at AIS Training Hall

After a 110-40 drubbing at the hands of Bulleen last week, the AIS will be hoping to reduce that margin on their home court.

Bulleen will have only 24 hours to recover from their ABC TV Game of the Week clash with the Flames on Friday night and will have their fitness tested by the young students.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bulleen 35 – 26 AIS

Go for 2 and 5 Perth Lynx (9^th) v Adelaide Link Lightning (3^rd), 7.30pm at Albany Leisure Centre

A tough assignment for the Lynx as the Lightning have been ruthless in their first two outings.

Adelaide’s depth will be too much for Perth to handle.

The Lynx are still searching for their first win and while American import Takia Starks impressed in her debut, last week against Bendigo she managed only 1-of-9 from the floor for two points and will need to find her feet against the third-placed Lightning.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Adelaide 37 – 9 Perth

Dandenong Jayco Rangers (8^th) v BDS Logan Thunder (6^th), 8.30pm at Dandenong Basketball Stadium

Whilst Dandenong won the pair’s two meetings early in 2008/09 by 15 points, the Thunder should be a tougher opponent this time around.

Thunder’s Polish centre Marta Dydek and Dandenong’s imports all had quiet games in Round 2 after strong showings in the opening round and it will be the Rangers’ Casey Nash, Ashley Lindsey and Megan Moody who will need to stand up against the spirited Thunder.

Logan will need to bounce back quickly from their Friday night encounter against the Spirit in Bendigo in order to match the fresh Rangers side.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio from 8.00pm.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dandenong 2 – 0 Logan

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18

Canberra TransACT Capitals (7^th) v Australian Institute of Sport (10^th), 5.00pm at Southern Cross Stadium, Canberra

A slow start to the season will have the Caps chomping at the bit to get back on the winner’s list and should do so in this Canberra derby.

It would have been an uphill struggle for the AIS regardless but it will be made more difficult by meeting the Capitals after playing top-of-the-table Bulleen on Saturday night.

A Canberra side boasting Opals Carly Wilson, Marianna Tolo, Natalie Hurst and Jessica Bibby will aim to assert their dominance and get their season back on track.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Canberra 45 – 13 AIS