After the very dissappointing loss to Tübingen, the OPEL SKYLINERS hope to rebound against the very tough Artland Dragons. The way to the playoffs is heating up as the top positions in the BBL are at stake, and many teams have the opportunity to secure home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Frankfurt was able to beat Quakenbrück in December in the Ballsporthalle, but this game will be a lot more difficult because the OPEL SKYLINERS have to enter a very hostile environment in Qüakenbrück. "They have a very good home crowd. But this motivates us more to come together as a team. It is us against everyone in their gym. This can be positive for us, because we usually play better as a team" , said Ibrahim Diarra.
The OPEL SKYLINERS don´t have the fondest memories of Quakenbrück, as they got a good taste of the Artland Dragons fire in their Dragon cave losing 93 to 85 last year. In that game, captain Pascal Roller was ill, and managed only five points in 26 minutes. Roller is confident that a win is possible. "The Artland Dragons are very tough at home. They are very well organized. However if we play with a lot of concentration for 40 minutes like we are capable of, than we can beat them."
The Artland Dragons have been a consistent team this year and they will be a very difficult first round playoff opponent for anyone.They have only lost two games at home, and defeated one of the titel favorites GHP Bamberg 94 to 72. Injured guard Tyrone Ellis thinks this is a well balenced team and not just a team with one star player. "They have many strong players. They play well together at home,and they will be hard to beat. Everybody thinks Jordan is the star but it´s just the name. For me he is just an average player."
Quakenbrück is well equiped with solid players at all positions. They are led by American Michael Hakim Jordan. His role has changed somewhat from scorer to playmaker. This season he is averaging 11,2 points and 6,5 assist per game. Croation National player Marco Bulic is the leading scorer averaging 18, 2 points per game and is in the top 10 in scoring in the BBL.Center American Darius Hall is averaging 13,0 points per game and forward Ben Ebong is averaging 11,9 points per game. "They have good role players, and Jordan is the leader. But before we worry about them, we should focus more on ourselves", emphasized Ibrahim Diarra.
Good preparation against the Artland Dragons will be vital for the success of the OPEL SKYLINERS. "We need to have positive practices this week, and refocus and bring back the good Basketball, what we have displayed this season against teams like Berlin and Cologne", stressed assistant coach Simon Cote.
Ibrahim Diarra explains that not only scoring many points will be the key to victory. "We have to really focus on defense. If our defense is strong, then our scoring will pick up."
"Not only playing strong defense will be the key to victory, but we have to focus on rebounding and rotations" said injured guard Tyrone Ellis. The center play of the OPEL SKYLINERS will have a lot to prove against Quakenbrück. Bernd Kruel has struggled of late and needs to find a way not to get into early foul trouble. Malick Badiane continues to have strong games against Würzburg or poor games against Tübingen. Özkan and Todic are still waiting to get more of a chance at showing their talent. The centers are long overdue for good performances and the team could really get an explosion from the big guys. "We have to try to get our big guys more involved and let them dominate. I am confident that they will have great games", expressed a very confident Ibrahim Diarra.
The OPEL SKYLINERS are now at a point, where either they could win some spots back to the top, or fall out of playoff position. The defending champion has often demonstrated, that they can rebound from a poor game and then return with a victory. Strong mental and physical play are two important components for winning in any sport at any level. "We have to really want to win this game.We have to dig deep within ourselves.We are beatable, but if we play with consistency and a sense of urgency, than we will win this game. But if we don´t, then we are very vulnerable", stressed Tyrone Ellis. Frankfurt has to take advantage of every game and win. A loss in Quakenbrück could severly dampen the homecourt advantage for the playoffs that is desired. A win would continue their quest for attaining the highest spot possible in the BBL standings.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
