BBL CUP WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS

Its that time! Basketball is officially back, and I'm here for it with player interviews, match reports and much more! Today I thought id do my predictions for this weeks matches, this is something i will hope to do each Game week.

SURREY SCORCHERS v BRISTOL FLYERS

The BBL opener, oh does it feel good to say that. What game to start with ey! The Surrey Scorchers go head to head with the Bristol flyers, i think this one will be a close matchup all season long.

Overall I do think surrey will take at least the first game because even though Bristol have had many pre - season games, Josh Wilcher hasn't participated in any of them, Eric Lockett didn't play v Cheshire either due to injury so those two will be in question for the game on the weekend, also even if Josh Wilcher comes back from the injury after not playing at all in pre season, I'm not sure whether he will be 100% match fit. However, in Bristol's pre - season Zach Copeland has been a very exciting player scoring 20 points in 3 out of the games played.

Also, i think the summer bubble held by the Surrey Scorchers will help them early on given that a lot of the bubble players are on the scorchers roster so will already be prepared, other than Trayvonn Wright they haven't got any injuries either so the roster should all be match fit. The only uncertainty around the Scorchers is the depth, and whether Emondre Rickman is able to play this week, if not this means they are lacking a big on the bench, and against the likes of Delpeche and Edozie, they could cause problems for the Scorchers.

NEWCASTLE EAGLES V LONDON LIONS

Game 2 of week 1. Although Newcastle have put together a strong roster like they do every year, I've got London taking this game, after the loss last week to Pre - Season and the tweets from Kevin Ware regarding the game, The hunger to get back to winning ways in the lions camo will be huge. Assuming everyone is back and healthy i don't think Newcastle have the firepower to stop the likes of Deandre Liggins, Byron Mullens and Kevin Ware who have all Impressed in Europe and Pre - Season. Assuming the x2 MVP Justin Robinson starts at the Point Guard , matching up against Rahmon Fletcher, i don't know who can stop the other guys on the London Roster, especially when they have players like, Stephen Brown, Jules Dang - Akodo , Josh Ward - Hibbert and Ed Lucas coming off the bench , who anywhere else , could warrant a place in the starting 5, I don't think the Geordie side have enough depth to stop them.

Photo Graphic - The Hoopers Voice: https://twitter.com/thehoopersvoice?s=20