THE TITLE RACE CLOSE UP: A LOOK AT THE BCB'S TOP FOUR
As the inaugural BCB league title enters the final stretch, the top four teams have spread their wings, but will the remaining three sides in playoff position clip their feathers?
With six points separating fourth placed City of Birmingham Rockets and fifth placed London Cavaliers, let’s delve into the top teams who are all competing to become the first-ever BCB league champions and start their journey to reach the Playoff final in Worcester on Monday, May 4.
Newcastle Knights
Current Position: 1st – 34 points
Record: 17-3
Key Player: JaRon Thames
They might have lost on the opening weekend of the season to the Yorkshire Dragons, but the Newcastle Knights have since marched on and left the rest of the BCB in the dust.
They lead the league in points per game at a whopping 99.6 and have not shown any signs of slowing down, with JaRon Thames leading the league in scoring with 25.3 points on 54 percent shooting and Bradley Dean not far behind with 22.0 points.
The Achilles heel the Knights have is that, despite their evergreen offensive style, they leak points on the other end, conceding 91.1 points per game, with only the Bristol Flyers II shipping more. With only three losses this season, the offence outweighs the defence at present, which is something most coaches would disagree with, but Newcastle are living proof of this right now.
With pivotal match-ups at home to the City of Birmingham Rockets on March 14 and away to the Aldermore Reading Rockets, the week after. These games will certainly show if Newcastle have what it takes to be the first-ever BCB league winners.
Aldermore Reading Rockets
Current Position: 2nd - 32 points
Record: 16-4
Key Player: Victor Olarerin
If you take away the minor venue issues that plagued the Aldermore Reading Rockets just before December, the Berkshire side could make a claim that they were the team to beat, having been level with the Newcastle Knights, but played two games less.
The Rockets also boasted one of the most consistent backcourts in the BCB in the shape of Victor Olarerin, who averages 20.7 points per game and Jax Bouknight, who chips in with 14.2 points and 5.2 assists per game.
However, two devastating losses at home have rocked this once steady ship, and as the league enters the business end of the season, there is cause for concern. With an away game against Birmingham this Sunday, followed by a home clash against the Knights on March 21, if Reading secure wins, then they will almost certainly be back in pole position.
Lose both, and their title dreams could be all but over.
Milton Keynes Breakers
Current Position: 3rd – 32 points
Record: 16-4
Key Player: Jordan Spencer
Milton Keynes Breakers are currently on a six-game heater in the BCB and went through all of February unbeaten. They are hitting their stride at the right time, and as far as the top four teams go, they are the hottest side around.
They have won their six games in a row by an average of 18 points, scoring 93.5 per game and only conceding 75.5 a contest. Incredible statistics, led by British guard Jordan Spencer, who is averaging 15.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game. But what’s telling is the Breakers have a variety of players who can step up when needed, like Chase Thompson, Xavier Wilson and three-point marksman, Jonas Dieterich.
Question remains: Can they maintain this form? A trip to Yorkshire to face the Dragons on March 21, and ending their regular season campaign on April 12 against the Aldermore Reading Rockets, will be a sign if they’re title ready.
City of Birmingham Rockets
Current Position: 4th – 30 points
Record: 15-5
Key Player: Zack Powell
City of Birmingham Rockets soared into the top four earlier this year with a mammoth nine-game unbeaten run that was ended on February 21 with a 79-78 loss to the Milton Keynes Breakers. To add, they will be competing for the first BCB title on March 28, when they face Yorkshire Dragons in the BCB Trophy final, so there’s lots to be excited about for Charles Smith’s side.
What has made the Rockets so dangerous is their overall talent on the roster. They are second in the BCB for points per game at 91.0, with only Newcastle averaging a higher number, but they don’t have a number one player on the offensive end. Five players average in double figures in scoring, with Zack Powell leading the way with 17.5 points per game.
While they still have hope for the league title, Birmingham could be at their most lethal when it’s time for the playoffs.
Who could catch the top four?
London Cavaliers: Currently sitting in fifth, and riding a two-game winning run. Daniel Braster, AJ Roberts and Juan Manning have been sensational all-season long.
Yorkshire Dragons: Early season pace setters, but stumbled towards the end of the year. Yorkshire Dragons are finding their form again and sit in sixth. Jordan Jefferson and double-double machine David Ulph are key to their late season success.
