Week ahead – Korisliiga

Full week of Korisliiga action ahead of us this coming week – with a full round on Wednesday with the following games :

BC Nokia vs Vilpas, KarhuBasket vs KTP, Korihait vs Pyrinto and Kouvot vs Kobrat

BC Nokia get their second home game in couple of days after the big win vs Pyrinto on Sunday – they now welcome the league leaders Vilpas for a mid-week game. Last time Vilpas was too strong in Salo, but now Nokia have had some more time to get their ‘big guys’ Labo and O’Mara rolling together, so it’ll be interesting to see how Vilpas manage to deal with the duo.

Kauhajoki look forward to welcome KTP to their home lair, in a game which should see the home team getting the W. Will the new guy for Kauhajoki be in their roster, and how will he fit in to coach Laakso’s system.. definitely interesting to see!

Korihait welcome the 100 point team to Uusikaupunki – as highflying Pyrinto continue their strong start to the season. Korihait have been a strong home team, so it will be interesting to see how this game turns out. Will it be another 100 point performance, or will Kuukkanen&co steal the thunder?

Kouvot vs Kobrat – home team have picked some momentum in the past week or so, and Kobrat suffered a defeat and look to get their early season train back on track. Will Brian Asbury continue to dominate, or will Small-ball be the name of the game.

BC Nokia keep on playing – as on Friday they visit KTP in Kotka. Has coach Kaminen figured the recipe for getting KTP playing consistently and winning – or is O’Mara too big to handle?

Vilpas also play on Thursday for second time this week, welcoming Topias Kuukkanen back to Salohalli. The ex-Vilpas player has hit the ground running after his switch to Korihait – just goes to show that sometimes a move can be very good for a player, when it goes right! And I am sure Kuukanen is at the moment enjoying his basketball. Will it be the flair and passion or Korihait, or the systematic and machine-like efficiency of Vilpas that comes out on top?

Heading into the weekend, Kataja Basket return to Korisliiga action, from FIBA EuropeCup action – and host the promoted team Ura Basket – who hope to have their new guys fit and ready to play. Kataja haven’t played as strong as expected this early season in the domestic competition, in Europe they are flying high. Ura are HOPEFULLY coming out of their injury crisis and every player back in roster is positive news for coach Palotie.

Saturday’s second game is in Tampere, when Kouvot come to town – these games tend to have some tension in them at times, so will be interesting to see how Saturday night under the lights and shiny LED boards at Pyynikki goes. And of course, Brian Asbury returns to Tampere in Kouvot shirt.

The week ends in Helsinki where the struggling Seagulls host KarhuBasket – Seagulls have had a long break since their defeat vs Ura Basket in Turku. And I am sure coach Larkas wants to see a different kind of result from his team this week – even if the opponent is couple of steps tougher. KarhuBasket on the other hand, they must be heading into the week hoping to come out with 2-0 record from their two games.