John Coffino says his Cheshire Phoenix side are ready to exact revenge when they make the long trip to Plymouth University Raiders in the BBL Championship on Sunday (4pm).
The Nix head coach is keen to see his players banish the memory of their BBL Trophy exit at the hands of Jay Marriott's men at the Pavilions last month by handing them a beating on their own turf.
Cheshire were dumped out of the Trophy in Plymouth on January 18 in a highly entertaining game where the Raiders triumphed 109-100 thanks to a phenomenal display of perimeter shooting coupled with a poor defensive display by the Nix.
But after securing a superb 89-75 home victory over second-placed Worcester Wolves in the league at the Northgate Arena on Sunday and a full-strength roster at his disposal, Coffino is confident the bus journey back from Devon will be a cheerier affair this time around.
“This is the biggest game of the year for us and preparations have been going really well for us in practice this week,” said Coffino, who welcomed point guard Mike DiNunno back into the fold following a three-week absence last weekend.
“We have had a full group of players together and we have some great practices which usually translates into good performances on the court.
“You have to be ready for the challenge and Plymouth will certainly present us with that. They embarrassed us on national television down at their place and we want to make sure we come back with the win on Sunday.”
A poor defensive effort in the Trophy loss, which was shown live on BBL TV, was criticised by Coffino and veteran Nix power forward David Aliu. But Coffino believes that the loss, which snapped a 10-game winning streak for Cheshire and denied them the chance to tie a club record, acted as a wake-up call for his side.
“The loss there ended our winning run but so what, we hadn't been playing well before that and we needed a wake-up call,” he said.
“The guys have responded since then and our defensive intensity has been a lot better. Everyone realises now that to be successful you have to play together as a team.
“We have 14 games left and every single one of them is precious and cannot be wasted. We're going to Plymouth to get the win.”
One offensive weapon for Plymouth who will be familiar to Coffino and Nix fans is Gareth Murray, with the Great Britain international impressing on his return to the BBL after he departed the Northgate Arena in October to pursue a career in the French league with Vendee Challans Basket.
Murray made his debut for the Raiders in the Trophy win over the Nix and has been in excellent form ever since, combining with fellow GB international Ben Mockford for 34 points last time out as Plymouth advanced further in the Trophy at the expense of Surrey United, who have ex-Cheshire swingman Dominique Coleman in their ranks.
One player that the Nix will have to keep a close eye on is current BBL Player of the Month Jordan Clarke, with the former Drake University standout and Washington DC native shining at the power forward spot for the Raiders in his first taste of life in the BBL.
But Cheshire have been boosted with the availability of DiNunno, a fit-again Demond Watt, who was so impressive against the Wolves on Sunday with 25 points and nine boards, and recent acquisition Dustin Salisbery who has shown his talent over the past three weeks and just why Coffino was so keen to bring him to the Nix.
A win would could see the Nix move level on points with third-placed Leicester Riders if Rob Paternostro's side fall to defeat at home to league-leaders Newcastle Eagles on Saturday (7.30pm).
