Hawkeye - Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United R10 Preview

THE MUST KNOWS 

When: 3pm, Sunday 21 March

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Broadcast: SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand and Twitch

Last Time They Met: Illawarra 77 (Harvey 23, Bairstow 15, Jessup 13) defeated Melbourne 69 (Mccarron 16, Goulding 13, Landale 12), Round 9, March 13 2021

THE PRELUDE

These two title contenders met just eight days ago on this same court and it was the Hawks who came from 10-points down to claim a well-deserved and important regular-season win.

The Hawks managed to hold United to a season-low nine points in the fourth quarter on that occasion, surging away for an eight-point win while holding United to their lowest score of the season (69).

In the fourth term last week, it was Melbourne who went ice-cold, shooting just 4-from-18 FG including 1-from-9 threes and not managing to get the free-throw line once.

Injuries will play a role for both side's today with the Hawks heading into this one without the services of experienced big man Cam Bairstow. Illawarra has played their last 11 games with a complete roster available but that streak will end today as Bairstow recovers from a leg injury. 

Melbourne have had players missing with injury for all eleven games since round four in Brisbane - with the likes of White, Hopson, Goulding and Ili all missing time at various stages.

A win to the Hawks in this game will give them 10 wins and double the five they won all of last season. A loss in this game will tie United’s longest run of losses at five.

The winner of this game will also shoot to second on the ladder.

THE FUN FACTS

All Time Record: Played 25 - United have won 17 - Hawks have won eight.

The Hawks are undefeated at 5-0 when they shoot above 45% from the field and 4-6 when shooting below.

Melbourne United have never lost four straight games at John Cain Arena in franchise history but have lost their last three.

Illawarra won three of their last four NBL Cup games after winning just one of their first four. After beating the Kings and United in their past two matches – the first time they have won consecutive games since they won the first four of the season.

In their first 11 games of the season Melbourne were giving up 82 points per game on the defensive end. In the four games since – all without Scotty Hopson – United are allowing 93.2 with Friday’s 103 by Sydney the highest posted vs Melbourne this season.

United have now lost four games in a row for the first time under Dean Vickerman’s coaching (114 games) after Friday night’s 28-point loss in Sydney – their biggest ever defeat to the Kings.

THE MATCH UP

Sam Froling v Jock Landale

One is an established star in the NBL while the other's star is rising rapidly - and if you take a look at the season scorecard - it's probably one game apiece for the respective tall timber.

Landale probably claimed bragging rights last start even though the Hawks got the W, while Froling put in a performance to remember at the WIN Entertainment Centre earlier in the season to stifle Landale after a fast start.

A closer look at the pair's stats doesn't read too differently if you take out the extra five minutes Landale logs each contest.

Froling has 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds at 51.9% from the field with 0.8 blocks in 24 minutes a game.

Landale has 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds at 51.9% from the field with 1.7 blocks in 29 minutes a game.

When United were rolling earlier in the year, Landale was in MVP calibre form - while Froling has been working his way through a stellar sophmore season. Today promises to be another mouth-watering battle as both bigs try and lead their squad to victory.

THE SPOTLIGHT

Justinian Jessup - at least one extra set of eyes will be cast on Jessup as he takes the court in Melbourne on Sunday with Golden State Warriors scout Michael Lee touching down in Australia to scout the Hawks 'Next Star' this week.

Speaking to Jessup during the week - the young star said he was "excited" about the prospect of playing in front of Lee as it's a sign the Warriors are serious about his potential to play in the NBA.

Jessup has started the season in fine fashion - shooting 47% from three and connecting on two-and-a-half attempts per game despite serious attention from opposing defences. He's also working on other ways to contribute if his shot isn't falling. Jessup is working on being a stifling defencsive presence, a secondary ball-handler to take pressure of backcourt running buddy Tyler Harvey and a glass cleaner on the defensive end,

The Warrios draftee has certainly made an impression on the Illawarra faithful so far this season - let's hope he can do the same on Lee.