NBL Division Two Preview - Week 22 (29 February/1 March 2020)

There's an intriguing clash at the top of the Southern Conference as part of 10 games in D2M as we head into March. 

Game of the week

Essex Rebels (13-2) v Ipswich (10-5)

Leaders Rebels host third-placed Ipswich in the Southern Conference as they look to cement their spot at the top of the standings. Ipswich will want to bounce back from their defeat to London Westside and maintain a late surge for the top.

Despite defeat, Jake Antony Eynon impressed with 21 points and will cause Rebels problems, while they themselves have Thomas Child (22 points) and Rory Winter (21-point, 14 rebound double-double) looking to improve on last week's showing. 

Elsewhere in D2M

In the rest of the Southern Conference, Sussex Bears (3-11) can't wait to get back out on the court after their much-needed win over London Greenhouse Pioneers. They travel to Greenwich Titans (6-9) and will be hoping for more Tomas Seduikis heroics after his 28-point, 14-rebound double-double got them the win last week.

There'll be no better way for Pioneers (7-7) to make amends for their defeat to Bears than to win their London derby with East London All Stars (5-7). Yonathon Napoleon's 25-point, 13-rebound double-double return despite defeat makes him the usual danger man for All Stars to keep quiet.

Cardiff Met Archers (3-12) are back at the bottom after Bears' win and go up against Solent Kestrels II (4-9) on Saturday before the two bottom sides go head-head in a must win clash. Archers are behind Bears on points difference and won't want to fall further behind in the dogfight.

A second London derby takes place as Londoon Westside (9-5) host BC Medelynas London (11-4). Westside closed the gap on third-placed Ipswich after their win last week and another here will leave second-placed Medelynas looking over their shoulder.

In the Northern Conference, Charnwood College Riders (10-5) host winless Sheffield (0-14). The visitors won't be looking forward to the sight of Blaize Sagna (25 points) and Gregoire Durand (23 points), who enjoyed solid games last week against Chester.

Chester (7-8) aim to put things right against Bristol Flyers (7-10), who also lost out to Derbyshire Arrows in week 21. Both sides are level on points in the middle of the standings, making for an interesting match up on Saturday.

The hosts will hope to have made a good start by the time they play Birmingham Elite on Sunday (5-9), as will Elite who face Derbyshire Spartans (6-9) the day before.

Full fixtures and stats

Saturday 29 February

3:00pm - Greenwich Titans v Sussex Bears - LIVE STATS
3:30pm - Charnwood Riders v Sheffield Hallam University - LIVE STATS
3:30pm - London Greenhouse Pioneers v East London All Stars - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - University of Chester v Bristol Academy Flyers -  - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - Team Solent Kestrels II v Cardiff Met Archers - LIVE STATS
6:15pm - London Westside v London BC Medelynas - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Team Birmingham Elite v Derbyshire Spartans - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Essex Rebels v Ipswich - LIVE STATS

Sunday 1 March

4:15pm - Sussex Bears v Cardiff Met Archers - LIVE STATS
5:00pm - University of Chester v Team Birmingham Elite - LIVE STATS

Main image credit - Joe Pinchin/Leicester Riders

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