Basketball giants UCC Demons need to beat Killorglin in Super League relegation battle

After the excitement of the National Cup weekend it's back to the bread-and-butter basketball this weekend with all three Cork teams on the road in the Men’s Super League.

There is little doubt UCC Demons' trip to Killorglin will bring massive pressure to the Sunday’s Well outfit who are now hanging on for dear life to keep their status in the top tier of Irish basketball.

The performance in their defeat to Neptune has really set the alarm bells ringing at the Sunday’s Well club, who are now in a tricky situation with games running out for them.

There has been so much debate among members and fans on the problems they have encountered in this campaign as they have exhausted the majority of avenues in their quest to avoid the dreaded relegation.

After replacing three Americans, they now have Tamyrik Fields and Jordan Washington but their performances to date simply haven’t been good enough.

DISMAL

Washington picked up three fouls in eight minutes of derby action and his overall contribution of seven points was dismal. The coaching staff need to teach their players to stop reaching and stay focused on what is happening on court.

Fields has been another huge disappointment and when you see a professional shooting air balls on a consistent basis, you know there is a problem.

Over the years, this scribe has witnessed many professionals, some better than others, but at least if they try and fail, a team has some chance.

In a nutshell, both players have some serious work to do to get this Demons team back playing to a decent level.

Demons' Irish players have dropped to a level that only be described as the lowest of their careers and without getting into the nitty, gritty they need a serious wake-up call.

It looks highly likely the coaching staff lost their voice and must change things up fast as teams are putting far too many points on them.

Energywise Ireland Neptune make the long trip to Belfast to play Belfast Star and following their derby win over Demons they will feel they can put in another good performance.

The one guarantee in this game is that Neptune will not be afforded the space they got against Demons to make unchallenged shots inside and outside the arc.

The confidence is high, but it will take a season-best from Neptune to secure anything from this game.

Star looked a very polished side in their opening games but as the season matured other teams seem to be matching up to them with relative ease. 

FOCUS

Ballincollig will travel to Dublin for a clash with St Vincent’s and, barring a total meltdown, should secure their 11th consecutive win in the Super League and their 14th in all competitions.

Player-coach Ciaran O’Sullivan will be well aware his side cannot afford to drop their guard, particularly with a cup final against Tralee Warriors looming.

In their cup semi-final win over Ballincollig had American Latavious Mitchell to thank as when other players struggled, he stood up to be counted.

Fellow professionals Latrell Jossell and Josh Steel will need to regain their shooting skills and if both are on their 'A game' it should be a comfortable win for Ballincollig, who incidentally lost to this side in their earlier meeting at the MTU Arena.