JJ Hopes for Starring Role in TV Clash
The SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks' guard / forward Julius Joseph
is looking forward to his side's first televised game of the
season when they host their closest positional rivals, the
Marshall MK Lions, on Wednesday (7.30pm).
The game is live on Setanta Sports 1, and the former Great
Britain international can't wait for the action to start,
"I've been looking forward to it for a while,"
he admitted. "My first game as a professional was live
on TV, when Manchester played Leicester. I was really excited,
the adrenalin was pumping, and I had extra energy for days.
"I'm a vet now at 32, but it's still great to be on
television again."
Joseph expects a difficult game as the two sides are both
chasing home court advantage in the play-offs with a top four
finish,
"They are a tough, very capable team and they have a
lot of experienced players.
"We need to play to our style, set the tone and get
the win. It's an important one for us, as we need to get in
the top four.
"They have a whole bunch of guys who can come in and
play, and a lot of them average 10-15 points per game, so
they can go for 20 on any given night. They are one of the
deepest teams in the BBL, and we need to match them minute
for minute."
Both of the previous two games between the teams this season
have taken place at Lions' Bletchley home. The first game
saw a thriller which Lions won 97-94, but Rocks took the BBL
Championship points when they met again in February, as a
dominant first half performance sent them on their way to
an 89-67 win, in which the Londoner had 13 points and 8 rebounds,
whilst shooting 8/8 from the free-throw line.
"We came out with revenge on our minds that day,"
admitted Joseph. "We were ready play, and we'll need
to be as focused on Wednesday as they are a good team, and
they'll beat us if we're not prepared."
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