It is us against them. Dark versus light. Good versus evil.
That might be overstating it but there will certainly be plenty of feeling in the Otago Nuggets-Southland Sharks match at the Edgar Centre tomorrow afternoon.
Provincial pride is on the line again, as Southland leads the head-to-head battles 4-0 since its introduction to the national league.
But the back story adds another layer to what is always a passionate encounter.
Former Nuggets centre Craig Bradshaw made some disparaging remarks about the Dunedin-based franchise when the Nuggets decided against re-signing the former Tall Black.
Bradshaw has since signed for the Sharks and has been talking up his new side's prospects. But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this game is that it will pit the Dickel brothers against each other.
Richard Dickel coaches the Sharks and Mark "Sparky" Dickel is the Nuggets captain.
Last season the siblings teamed up for the Sharks but Mark was lured home to Dunedin to work for Basketball Otago and play for the Nuggets.
Mark Dickel was keen to play down the rivalry yesterday.
The pair have played against each other in age-group tournaments but there "has never really been any competition between him and me like that.
"I understand the rivalry between Otago and Southland," he said.
"But there is no extra motivation there for me. I won't feel extra good because he is on the other team.
" I want him to do well, so from that standpoint I want Southland to do well. They treated me well down there last year.
"From our perspective we need to find a way to get a win and this is a game we have a great chance to win. That is the motivation for me.
"Obviously, I'm very good friends with Kevin Braswell and I'm excited to play against him from a competitive standpoint, regardless of what team he is playing on."
The game did not need any extra spice but that was provided by Bradshaw. He performed well for the Nuggets last season, averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. But in November Bradshaw told the Otago Daily Times he believed he had a verbal agreement with the Nuggets to return this season and that the organisation had reneged on the deal.
"To lead me on like that wasn't very professional and that is what I meant by it being a poorly run organisation," Bradshaw said at the time.
He was also critical of Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge's ability to lead the team.
Those comments did not go down well with Dickel.
"That is something which is definitely going to be a motivating factor. I don't really need any more motivation but I just felt you don't do that, no matter what. He just burnt a bridge for no reason."
Both teams have the same record with one win and two losses. The Sharks look to Braswell to score from the outside, and Larry Abney and Bradshaw give the southerners some presence on the inside.
Breakers development player Dion Prewster and guard Dan Peck are expected to complete the starting five.
The Nuggets do not offer much threat outside the main three of Dickel, Antoine Tisby and Akeem Wright.
Tisby has made a strong start to the season, averaging 21.3 points and 11.7 rebounds, and Wright scored 40 points on his first outing for the Nuggets.
But Dickel is the key. His passing game is crucial to the Nuggets' prospects, and his match-up with Braswell promises to be a highlight.
Nuggets v Sharks
Edgar Centre, tomorrow, 3pm
Otago Nuggets: Mark Dickel, Antoine Tisby, Akeem Wright, Riki Buckrell, Matt Trueman, Sam King, James Ross, Ethan Carruthers, Tom Allan, Steve Robinson, Damon Cleverley, Olly Smith.
Southland Sharks: Craig Bradshaw, Kevin Braswell, Larry Abney, Dion Prewster, Dan Peck, James Paringatai, Shaun Tilby, Jimmy Todd, Paratene McLeod, Andrew Wheeler, Rhys Smolenski.
