If the Tall Blacks seem to be facing a tough task against an almost full-strength Australian Boomers, spare a thought for women's coach Kennedy Kereama.
Not only must his Tall Ferns beat the world's second-ranked Opals if they wish to seal a spot at next year's World Cup, but they will launch their assault on Australia with just two days' preparation under their belts.
The test in the two-game Fiba Oceania series looks extreme before a glance at the respective lineups - then the difficulty levels shoots up another couple of notches. Countering the Tall Ferns' seven rookies will be the imposing presence of Lauren Jackson, widely regarded us one of the greatest players of all time.
New Zealand's newly-appointed co-captain Toni Edmondson put on a brave face when asked about the size of the challenge, and said her side which gain advantage by the opposition's lack of familiarity with the Kiwi rookies.
But, then again, Australia's players aren't the only ones short of knowledge when it came to the Tall Ferns' roster.
"Two trainings," Edmondson said when asked how many times she had encountered some of the newcomers. "Some of the girls I've seen in a few camps before, so I've seen a little bit more, but a couple of the girls, like Megan Craig, that was the first time I've ever met her."
That's simply the reality of women's basketball in this country, a sport desperately short of funding and, as a result, regular and varied opposition.
But it's one thing being unable to enjoy a warm-up tour, like the Tall Blacks' jaunt to China; it's another when two trainings must suffice when facing the Olympic bronze-medallists.
"I've never been in the situation where you've got the team for two days then have to play," said men's coach Nenad Vucinic. "That's a very difficult and very unfair situation that Kennedy and the team have been put in, but they always play tough and they always take it as it is."
The issue for Kereama is simple and, like many in sport, can be discovered by following the money. The Tall Ferns have next to none, resulting in an equal amount of negotiating power when attempting to persuade clubs to release the players whose wages they pay.
A number of established Tall Ferns have been unable to return to New Zealand for the series, while even the Australian-based players were able to join their teammates only on Sunday night.
"It's pretty tough but those are just the cards we've been dealt," Kereama said. "As much as all of our women want to come back and represent New Zealand, it makes it very difficult when you don't have the funding to bring them home."
