While the Otago Nuggets could not win a single National Basketball League game this season, their female counterparts are expected to do much, much better.
The Otago Goldrush finished a distant second in the Women's Basketball Championship last year, when it was dispatched by the Harbour Breeze 80-53 in the final.
But coach Brent Matehaere believes there are good reasons to get excited about the Goldrush this season.
His squad has depth and experience and, with the finals hosted in Dunedin in mid-August, the Goldrush is expected to be among the frontrunners.
"That's the plan," Matehaere responded when asked if the team was looking to go one better than last year.
But first the team has to qualify for the finals.
The WBC starts in New Plymouth today.
It is the first of two qualifying tournaments before the finals in Dunedin.
The Goldrush opens it campaign against the Hutt Valley Flyers this afternoon and plays an invitational team, New Zealand Under-16, tonight.
"Obviously, we want to win, and the plan is to go up there and make a statement.
But it is always uncertain in terms of what the other teams have to offer.
I haven't seen any other team lists, so it will be an eye-opener."
In saying that, the defending champion Breeze will probably be the side to beat again, Matehaere said.
"Harbour is going to be tough.
"I know they don't have the services of [former Tall Ferns forward] Charmian Purcell, who is away in Scotland."
But if the likes of Jody Cameron and Karlene Kingi suited up, the Breeze would again be formidable, he said.
The Goldrush has a decent line-up itself.
Dual international Suzie Bates will tour England with the New Zealand cricket team but may feature later in the campaign.
In her absence, Janet Main will set the tempo, with New Zealand age-group representative Samara Gallaher joining her in the guard line.
Poppy Saker-Norrish, whose father, John Saker, played for New Zealand, is likely to start at centre, visiting German Anke Becker will slot into the power forward role, and either Patrice McKenzie or former Otago Rebels netballer Danielle Calnan completing the starting five.
Calnan is used to playing in the forward line, but Matehaere believes she is well-suited to the swing role, as she has a good inside and outside game.
Likewise Mckenzie, who is use to playing on the post, will spend more time outside the key looking to make shots and create more play.
McKenzie spent four years playing college basketball in the United States but has returned to New Zealand and is keen to crack the national squad and play in the Australian national league.
"She sees this as a stepping stone to make the Tall Ferns and get her name out there."
Patrice's younger sister, Chantelle, a guard, "has come into to her own this year and has worked really hard with Janet over the summer".
And back-up point guard Soraya Jensen-Umaga is another name to watch out for, Matehaere said.
"She can play ball. So it's a very exciting line-up."
Women's champs:Qualifying tournament
Otago's draw:
v Hutt Valley, 2pm, June 24
v New Zealand under-16, 7pm, June 24
v Waikato Wizards, 9am, June 25
v Taranaki Trojans, 5pm, June 25
Finals, June 26
Otago squad:
Janet Main, Samara Gallaher, Danielle Calnan, Chantelle McKenzie, Renee Johnson, Zoe Cadzow, Kelly Groot, Anke Becker, Gianna Leoni, Poppy Saker-Norrish, Patrice McKenzie, Bella McCallum, Soraya Jensen-Umaga, Frances Tilly.
