Game Preview: Bulls vs Sharks

Game Preview: Franklin Bulls (0-1) v SBS Southland Sharks (0-1)

Two teams looking to get off the mark meet in Pukekohe on Thursday night as the Franklin Bulls host the SBS Southland Sharks in an early-season matchup between sides coming off very different opening-round losses. Franklin put 95 points on the board but could not keep pace with Auckland down the stretch of what turned into a lopsided defeat, while Southland was competitive in the early stages before being pulled apart in a heavy loss to Otago at home. Can the Bulls put together a full 40-minute performance, or will the Sharks find a way to overcome an early-season lack of depth?

When: Thursday 16 April, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm

Where: Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre, Pukekohe

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2

Commentary: Taylah Johnson and Lindsay Tait

Last Time Out:

The Bulls were on the back foot early against Auckland, conceding a 13-0 start before fighting their way back into the contest. Jace Carter was outstanding, while Derrin Boyd added huge value with an all around game. Late signing Jaylen Gerrand chipped in off the bench, but in the end Franklin could not contain a stretchy and deep Tuatara group that had seven players score in double figures to eventually pull away for a 115-95 win.

Southland’s opener followed a different path as the Sharks started well while leaning heavily on Sam Timmins, who dominated the opening quarter on his way to a double-double with added rim protection Rylan Jones found his form as the game went along thanks to a high work rate, but a 34-point second quarter from Otago swung the game, and the Sharks could not recover from there. Southland finished with just 68 points and shot 17 percent from three, despite winning the rebounding battle.

What to Expect:

Projected Starters

Franklin Bulls

PG: Carter Whitt

SG: Derrin Boyd

SF: Jace Carter

PF: Tai Pakaurangi

C: Ellis Biggar

SBS Southland Sharks

PG: Rylan Jones

SG: Tukaha Cooper

SF: Dane Bertinshaw

PF: Mac Stoddart

C: Sam Timmins

Franklin’s starting group has plenty of firepower, even if it is still coming together. Carter looks every bit like the kind of player who can carry an offense for long stretches, Boyd gives the Bulls another proven scorer and secondary creator, and Whitt’s 9 assists in the opener showed how important he will be in keeping the team organised. The concern for Franklin is at the other end, where Auckland shot 53 percent from the field, got 29 assists and grabbed a 10 rebound advantage, the culmination of which exposing how the Bulls need to tighten up defensively.

The Sharks, while the await multiple starters still overseas, again look as though things will work through Timmins. He was dominant in the opener and enters this game as an early league leader in both scoring and blocked shots. Jones also showed he can provide serious perimeter punch even while he was targeted defensively in the post, but on the whole Southland will need to find offense in the wider supporting cast after getting just 18 combined points from the rest of the lineup against Otago.

This result may come down to which team can better impose its preferred style. Franklin showed it can score, especially from deep, knocking down 14 threes in its opener. Southland, by contrast, was far more reliant on interior production and second-chance opportunities. If the Bulls get another big perimeter night from Carter, Boyd and support from Gerrand and co., they will feel they can stretch the Sharks out. If Southland can make this a more physical, paint-oriented contest through Timmins (and Max Darling if he is fully recovered from injury) while taking the rebounding battle, it has a path to securing its first win.

Players to Watch: Jace Carter v Sam Timmins

Two of the biggest opening-round performances belong to the two most important players in this matchup.

Carter exploded for 35 points and 12 rebounds in Franklin’s opener and already sits tied for the league lead in scoring, while Timmins answered with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in Southland’s loss to Otago. Carter gives the Bulls a dynamic scoring forward who can hurt teams from deep and off the bounce. Timmins is the Sharks’ interior anchor and their best chance to control the paint. If Carter gets loose on the perimeter, Franklin’s offense could hum. If Timmins is allowed to dominate inside, Southland will like its chances of grinding out the win.

Stats that Matter (League Ranking)

Stat	Bulls	Sharks
Points Per Game	95.0 (4th)	68.0 (11th)
Points Allowed Per Game	115.0 (11th)	95.0 (6th)
Field Goal %	42% (9th)	42% (10th)
Field Goal % Defense	53% (11th)	51% (9th)
Free Throw %	59% (8th)	47% (11th)
3-Point %	36% (5th)	17% (11th)
3-Point % Defense	39% (10th)	36% (8th)
Rebounds Per Game	40.0 (8th)	42.0 (6th)
Assists Per Game	20.0 (6th)	14.0 (11th)
Turnovers Per Game	9.0 (1st	20.0 (11th)
Steals Per Game	6.0 (6th)	3.0 (11th)
Blocks Per Game	1.0 (11th)	3.0 (5th)
Offensive Rebounds Per Game	9.0 (7th)	13.0 (3rd)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game	27.0 (8th)	28.0 (7th)
Offensive Rebound %	21% (8th)	36% (2nd)
Defensive Rebound %	77% (7th)	80% (3rd)
Assist/Turnover Ratio	2.22 (6th)	0.70 (11th)

Individual Stats Team Leaders

Category	Bulls	Sharks
Leading scorer	Jace Carter - 35.0	Sam Timmins - 30.0
Leading rebounder	Jace Carter - 12.0	Sam Timmins - 11.0
Leading assists	Carter Whitt - 9.0	Sam Timmins - 5.0
Best FG%	KC Nwafor - 100%	Sam Timmins - 77%
Best 3PT%	Jace Carter - 60%	Rylan Jones - 33%
Blocks	Jace Carter - 1.0	Sam Timmins - 2.0
Steals	Carter Whitt - 2.0	Sam Timmins / Rylan Jones / Jack Ramage - 1.0
Minutes	Derrin Boyd - 36:27	Sam Timmins - 32:22