Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles have had a rough start to the 2023/23 British Basketball League season. Currently seeing themselves seventh in the standings with a 3-7 record by their names, the Eagles need to change quickly before they slip out of contention.

Expectations became much higher after their incredible offseason acquisitions, which included the likes of Tajh Green, Jordan Johnson, and Larry Austin Jr.

However, this team has not stepped up as many expected, and because of this, we delve deeper into what they could change to take themselves closer to the expectations set at the start of the season.

Hang your Hat on Defence

While the Eagles added some great offensive power in Green, Johnson, and many more, their defence has been struggling through the first 10 games of the season.

While using base stats such as steals and blocks doesn’t tell the whole story, the Eagles are currently dead-last in steals per game and only seventh in blocks per game. If you combine both base stats together, the Eagles are last in the league.

In pre-season, the Newcastle Eagles were touted to be the best defensive team in the league, with Austin and Green being ranked in the top three for most likely to win this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Other players such as Johnson and Malcolm Delpeche also received votes.

Going into game week eight, the Eagles had a defensive rating of 112.3, only behind the Plymouth City Patriots and Manchester Giants for worst in the league.

One argument could be made for more minutes for Larry Austin Jr., who has primarily come off the bench this season. However, one easier way to fix their defensive issues is to play riskier regarding fouling.

The Eagles are one of the deepest teams in the league with incredible defensive potential, and if they want to impose their will onto the opposition, they need to be less worried about fouling and trying to get more stops.

Let it Fly

In modern basketball, one thing is for certain: the three-point shot is one of, if not the most vital shot in all of basketball.

We have seen across the pond how dominant teams can become when they embrace the three, and it’s no surprise that the London Lions make the most threes in the league and what their win record is currently.

Newcastle are fifth in three-point percentage in the British Basketball League, but are also ninth in threes attempted.

With only Rickey McGill, Jordan Johnson, and Devin Whitfield making more than one three-pointer per game, more threes need to be taken.

Even if there are some growing pains in a few games, having someone like Will Neighbour, who is one of the rare stretch-fives in the league, should give the Eagles an inherent advantage over many teams.

Though the percentage may drop, it would help to keep the opposition defence honest on the perimeter if the threes attempted jumped up, even just a little bit.

Feed the Big Man

Arguably, Newcastle’s biggest signing was the acquisition of Tajh Green from the Manchester Giants. The big man had a great debut season in the British Basketball League when he averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, and two assists.

Of course, it was expected for those numbers to drop when playing next to all the added talent, but when the going can get tough, it’s best to go back to the basics and ride the superstar.

Only averaging 12.2 points with 7.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists, his numbers have dropped. His best game of the season was arguably in Newcastle’s thriller against the London Lions when the Eagles arguably should have won.

Green had 23 points off 12 shots, and is the only game he’s had this season with over 20 points. The big man needs more than his 9.9 field-goal attempts per game to inflict his will onto the game, and this should be the go-to move when the Eagles are struggling.

Conclusion

It has only been 10 games in the British Basketball League season, and a team like the Newcastle Eagles has all the chances to catch up.

But this team has ways to go, and if things can change for the better, then we will have another contender in the League. If not, this could be a rough year for Eagles fans.

The post Three ways Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles could get back on track in the British Basketball League appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

With this win, the Sharks improved to a record of 6-5, while the Giants dropped to 2-8.

Starting Five:

Sheffield Sharks starting five: Devearl Ramsey, Jalon Pipkins, Kipper Nichols, Jordan Ratinho, Bennett Koch, 

Manchester Giants starting five: Jalen Harris, Nick Stampley, Jamell Anderson, Mason Bourcier, Austin Lawton

First Half:

The game started with the two teams neck and neck, exchanging baskets and the lead for the first seven minutes. 

That’s when Sheffield went on an 11-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Parker Stewart, giving them a nine-point advantage (25-16).

The final minute of the first quarter and the start of the second belonged to Manchester, who went on an 11-0 run of their own, to take the lead 25-27. 

Despite the momentum being firmly on the side of the visitors who had managed to retake the lead, the Sharks managed to gradually build up a small lead once more, going up by as many as eight points on the back of two made free throws by Jordan Ratinho.

The final minutes of the half saw the teams exchange baskets, with the hosts going into the break ahead 44-38.

Second Half:

With the start of the second half, Sheffield quickly gained control of the game, rushing to their first double-digit lead of the game (52-41), when Devearl Ramsey connected from downtown. 

The home side kept on top of their opponents and increased their advantage to as many as 20 points (66-46), three minutes before the end of the third quarter when Kipper Nichols scored a layup.

The final three minutes of the period saw the two teams exchange buckets, with the Sharks taking a commanding 17-point lead (71-54) going into the final 10 minutes of action. 

Sheffield stayed in control for the entire fourth period, leading by as many as 24 (82-58), following a Stewart three-pointer.

Manchester didn’t give up and went on a 8-0 run of their own to close the gap to 16 (82-66), with Darius Mcneill twice managing to breeze through the Sheffield defence, which didn’t please Coach Lyons.

The final few minutes saw the hosts control the tempo of the game and come out on top 92-73.

Player of the Game:

Tonight’s Player of the Game was Parker Stewart. The Sheffield Sharks guard came off the bench and in 20 minutes of action scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out one assist.

The post Game Report: B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 92-73 Manchester Giants appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Kimbal MacKenzie had the chance to sneak the visitors over the line, but his attempt missed the mark.

Patrick Whelan led the winners with 24 points.

Caledonia Gladiators starting five: Ian Dubose, Prince Onwas, Patrick Whelan,

Leicester Riders starting five: Miryne Thomas, Xavier Pinson, Caleb Asberry, Jaren Holmes, Braelen Bridges, Fahro Alihodzic.

First Half

With the main talking point being Whelan’s first game against his old club, the question was how he would approach the game.

The answer was aggressive. The Great Britain international hit an awkward jumper from the top as the shot clock expired, along with getting to the foul line as the Gladiators built up a 24-16 cushion with 3:08 left in the first.

But the Riders fought back, and a 12-2 finish to the quarter, highlighted by a four-point play from Conner Washington, stole the lead from the hosts.

Washington was able to connect on two three-pointers in the early stages of the second, as Leicester kept their stranglehold on the game.

However, Caledonia were threatening and, despite trailing for most of the second period, finally tied things up at 44-44 on the half-time horn as Clifton Moore Jr. connected.

Second Half

Moore’s buzzer-beater ignited a flame within Caledonia as they came out the blocks on a 12-2 stretch, capped by a triple from Lukas Palyza that saw them lead 58-48.

Riders were unable to execute offensively as they were in danger of fading away. Under adversity, Leicester hit back as Caledonia were defensively caught napping and as the third quarter concluded, Blake Bowman was able to hit to narrow the gap to 67-63.

The fourth quarter was nip-and-tuck with the biggest lead for either team only being three points and emotions pouring.

It was all about who could hold their nerve when it matters most.

Whelan got the crowd of 1,200 on its feet with a three-pointer to give the Gladiators an 82-81 lead with 30 seconds left, only for MacKenzie to answer with a pull-up jumper.

The stage was then set for Moore – who only had one field goal at the time – to shine. And he delivered.

Bowman led Leicester with 15 points.

Player of the Game

Against his old club, Patrick Whelan put the Riders to the sword with 24 points and was able to grab today’s Player of the Game.

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The police report from the Jan. 13 incident — in which the Newport PD says Rodman was swerving all over the road around 10:50 PM.

Once pulled over, cops say Rodman reeked of booze — so he was arrested for DUI.

According to the arrest report, Rodman is listed at 6’8″ and 235 lbs (up from his listed playing weight of 228). He lists his occupation as “self-employed.”

As we previously reported, Rodman was on probation at the time of his arrest and will likely be thrown in jail as a result.

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