GAME PREVIEW - KESTRELS TAKE ON BCU AS PLAYOFFS TIPS OFF

Image Courtesy of Luke Simcock

Two competitions, two titles for the Kestrels so far this season, now they start their journey towards claiming the third against Birmingham City University this Saturday. Having played the midlands side already this season in the NBL National Cup, with the Kestrels coming out on top 84-54, Matt Guymon and his coaching staff will look to complete the double. With a 12-game winning streak on the line, it will be sure to add another level of motivation, alongside the glory of winning the NB Division One Play-offs.

BCU

Birmingham City University (BCU) completed their NBL D1 North season with a loss away at Myerscough Academy, and result in them finishing 4^th in the league on a 16-6 record. However, the playoff picture could have looked completely different had that have been a win for BCU, as five teams were within one win of one another.

As a team, Birmingham plays with intent and rack up the most field goals and three-point shots attempted per game, as well as the 2^nd highest points per game in the entirety of NBL Division One. Alongside their good defensive abilities, with their sheer number of steals that are then churned into successful buckets in transition, BCU will look to enact revenge on the Kestrels after they were knocked out of the National Cup back in December.

Key/Form Players

Andre Arissol

Leading the line for the Kestrels from start to finish through the regular season, it should be the expectation of Arissol to do the same come playoffs. Averaging 17.6 points per game across the league season, the playoffs are usually no different for the Kestrels captain, as the last time out in the post-season, AA dropped 37 points in the D2 Playoff Final up against Barking Abbey.

Andre led the line then and the Kestrels Family should expect no different from Arissol this Saturday, it’s win and go home but he will attempt to make that outcome as unlikely as possible.

Samuel Toluwase

Without a doubt the leading offensive threat for BCU, Samuel Toluwase is 2^nd in the Division for points per game, sat nicely on 23.3 on 40% field goal percentage. Toluwase went off on the final weekend of the regular season, scoring 50 points across the same weekend – 22 against Leicester Warriors and then followed that up with a 28 piece against Myerscough and will look to continue his fine form coming into the playoffs.

Match Ups

Arissol vs Reiss Faure-Daley

A contest of defensive powerhouses, Arissol and Faure-Daley combine for 8 steals per game and neither let that fault the offensive side of their games. Both guards provide different skillsets, Reiss Faure-Daley currently averaging 7.7 assists per game, well clear of the rest of the league and his flashy, dynamic passing variety enables his teammates to utilise the space across the floor to a great degree.

Despite being extremely similar, Arissol will look to control the game in order for the Kestrels to get the win over the line, so this match-up is bound to deliver.

Jakub Ofman vs Samuel Toluwase

Jakub Ofman, off the back of a leading 19-point clutch game to end the regular season against London Stars, has resumed a larger role in the Kestrels squad. Although his first season a main-stay in the Men’s side, Ofman has shown flashed of brilliance – the most notable being the 32-point shooting clinic against the Richmond Knights.

However, his potential wing matchup in Samuel Toluwase adds a wealth of experience to the away side and has not slowed down whatsoever, having had three 30+ point games this season. Young vs Old. Youth vs Experience. It’ll be a physical match-up that could largely impact the final result, with Ofman the secondary scorer at times and Toluwase the leading man for Birmingham.

Last Result:

Kestrels 84-54 BCU

Top Performers:

Luke Busumbru – 26 points, 4 threes

Samuel Toluwase – 18 points

Andre Arissol – 12 points

Ethan Round – 11 points

It’s win or go home for both teams, the quarter finals of the NBL D1 play-offs and both teams have shown a plethora of talent through the regular season. We need all the energy in the Complex on Saturday, tickets available here - D1 Men vs. Birmingham City University - NBL Division 1 Men Playoff Quarter Finals | Team Solent Kestrels.