The 2015/16 British Basketball League (BBL) season tips off next week with 12 clubs set to battle it out for honours.
Last season was one to remember for Newcastle Eagles as they saw off all comers to complete a clean sweep of the league, BBL Cup, BBL Trophy and also the play-off crown at a packed O2 Arena in London.
It was a rollercoaster season for the Cheshire Phoenix, with a host of roster changes throughout the campaign, but American head coach John Coffino managed to lead his side to within a whisker of the play-off final, registering a fourth place finish in the league.
Will Newcastle reign supreme once more? Will big-spending London Lions make a challenge? Can the Nix, now under the stewardship of head coach John Lavery scoop some silverware this season? Here's Dave Powell's take.
BRISTOL FLYERS
Head coach : Andreas Kapoulas
Venue : WISE Arena
Finish last season: 8th
Ins: Greg Streete, Roy Owen, Doug McLaughlin-Williams, Mathias Seilund, Jordan Ranklin (all re-signed) Cardell McFarland (Hanau-Pro-B, Germany), Daniel Edozie (Iowa State University, NCAA Division One)
Outs: Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (Bradley University, Illinois, NCAA Division One), Tamas Okros (Post University, NCAA Division Two)
Chances: The Flyers enjoyed a hugely successful debut season in the BBL last time out, with head coach Andreas Kapoulas pipping Newcastle Eagles' Fab Flournoy to the 'Coach of the Year' accolade. They have kept key men such as Greg Street and Doug McLaughlin-Williams, who will have a big role to play. Losing young talent such as Lautier-Ogunleye and Okros, who have both committed to US colleges, will hurt them but expect them to build on last season's efforts and possibly challenge for another play-off berth.
Prediction: 9th
CHESHIRE PHOENIX
Head coach: John Lavery
Venue: Cheshire Oaks Arena at Ellesmere Port Sports Village
Finish last season: 4th
Ins: David Aliu, Martyn Gayle (both re-signed), Sedale Hanson-Young (Team Birmingham), Sean McGonagill (Giants Dusseldorf, Germany), Will Faiivae (Club Universidad San Simon, Bolivia); Akeem Ellis (Brampton A's, Canada), Jeff Dirkin (Rollins College, Florida, NCAA Division Two), Jordan Williams (University of North Texas).
Outs: Taylor King, Paul Sturgess, Adrien Sturt (not returning), Demond Watt (London Lions), Dustin Salisbery (St Chamond Basket, France), Mike DiNunno (Iraklis, Greece)
Chances: A new-look roster, new head coach and new arena makes Cheshire an unknown quantity this season. Retaining club captain Aliu was crucial but losing two players in the mould of King and Watt will be difficult. New additions look promising, though, and it will be interesting to see how much of an impact the trio of Ellis, Faiivae and first-year pro Williams can have in their maiden BBL campaign.
Prediction: 6th
GLASGOW ROCKS:
Head coach: Sterling Davis
Venue: Emirates Arena
Finish last season: 5th
Ins: Kieron Achara, Jonny Bunyan (both re-signed), Will Hall (Leeds Force), Warren Gillis (Coastal Carolina University, NCAA Division One), Marcus Ware (Speyer, Germany), Riley Grabau (University of Wyoming, NCAA Division One), Armin Mazic (Mantovanna, Italy), Jordan Clarke (St Xavier University, Canada)
Outs: Tayo Ogedengbe (Surrey Scorchers), Reggie Middleton (not returning)
Chances: Davis has now hung up his boots and will be taking on purely a coaching role, and he has added some real quality to the squad. Grabau is one who could really catch fire in the BBL and, added to the likes of veteran Achara, should aid a Rocks charge to the latter stages of the knock-out competitions as well as a play-off spot.
Prediction: 7th
LEEDS FORCE
Head coach: Matt Newby
Venue: Carnegie Sports Centre
Finish last season: 11th
Ins: Rob Marsden (Manchester Giants), Clayfell Harris (Itzehoe, Germany), Eddie Matthew (Newcastle Eagles), Kwan Waller (unattached), Louis Sayers (Plymouth University Raiders), Darrell Bethune, Dwayne Camille, Armand Anebo, Zak Wells (all re-signed)
Outs: Oliver Hylands (Doncaster Danum Eagles), Will Hall (Glasgow Rocks)
Chances: Another team to impress in their debut campaign last season. Newby's men proved a tough challenge for many top sides but losing Hall to the Rocks will be a blow. They will prove tough customers once again but, with a lack of in-depth quality off the bench, they look like they could be in for a struggle.
Prediction: 12th
LEICESTER RIDERS
Head coach: Rob Paternostro
Venue: Loughborough University
Finish last season: 2nd
Ins: Conner Washington, Anthony Rowe, Tyler Bernardini, Neil Watson,TrayVonn Wright, Jamell Anderson, Harrison Gamble, Barry Lamble (all re-signed), Drew Sullivan (London Lions), Billy Reader (Morehead State University, Kentucky, NCAA Division One)
Outs: Rashad Hassan (BBC Sparta, Luxembourg), Pavel Losonsky (Worcester Wolves)
Chances: Continuity is often the key to success and head coach Paternostro has managed to bring back his big guns once more. Riders pushed Newcastle hard in the title race last season and I expect them to do the same this time around. Bringing back Drew Sullivan to Leicester is a master-stroke. They could be the ones to snap the Eagles dominance this term.
Prediction: 2nd
LONDON LIONS
Head coach: Nigel Lloyd
Venue: Copper Box Arena
Finish last season: 6th
Ins: Demond Watt (Cheshire Phoenix), Kai Williams (Umea, Sweden), Jorge Ebanks (Angrabasket, Portugal), Nick Lewis, Zach Gachette (both Sheffield Sharks), Jamal Williams (Worcester Wolves), Allie Fullah (Calais, France), Jaron Lane (unattached), Brian Voekel (Southwest Slammers, Australia), Joe Ikhinmwin, Blayne Freckleton (both re-signed)
Outs: Zaire Taylor (Blois Baket, France), Drew Sullivan (Leicester Riders), Makal Stibbins (Salta Basket, Argentina)
Chances: The addition of the likes of last season's stand out import Watt as well as that of Kai Williams and the excellent Lewis should see London challenge at the top end under new head coach Lloyd. But such a new group will probably mean they fall just short of a realistic title challenge. They made the play-off final last year and could be a shout to do the same and challenge for silverware in the knock-out competitions.
Prediction: 3rd
