The Otago Nuggets have started the season with four consecutive wins, but the narrative has centred on how they have not really played anyone yet.
We hear plenty about their next opponent, though.
Auckland this, Auckland that.
It is like the league has completely forgotten the Nuggets beat the Tuatara in last year’s final.
The Tuatara do have a talented roster, though.
Reuben Te Rangi, Jarrad Weeks, Rob Loe and Cam Gliddon are all averaging more than 17 points per game. Loe is averaging 11 rebounds as well.
But they will be hurting from the 90-85 overtime loss to the Franklin Bulls on the weekend. The Tuatara had a 21-point lead midway through the third period.
Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere is not surprised by the lack of hype his team was attracting. Same happened last season.
He is more focused on the threat a wounded Tuatara team will present tonight.
"They will be wanting to bounce back after that. They probably had the game in their hands and will be really wanting to make sure they come out and put on a good showing in this one," he said.
"Nobody likes to lose back-to-back games, so it is an opportunity for us to go up there and play against, what we are told, are one of the better teams in the league and are looking forward to that challenge."
The Nuggets will back up on Saturday night with a match against the Franklin Bulls, so it is a tough few days ahead for the defending champion.
Win both and they might suddenly pop up on people’s radar.
Nuggets back-up centre Jack Andrew has an ankle complaint and has been bracketed with Patrick Freeman.
But captain Sam Timmins is back on deck. He missed the 90-83 win over the Giants in Dunedin last Thursday night.
His clash with Rob Loe promises to be a good watch.
The Nuggets produced arguably their best performance against the Giants. To win without Timmins will have boosted the side’s confidence.
Shooting guard Michael Harris netted 31 points in a breakout performance, while Todd Withers led an impressive defensive effort again.
The Giants were forced into 21 turnovers.
"We’ll have to lock in on defence but the Tuatara are a tough scout," Matehaere said, referring to the team’s lack of weaknesses.
"A lot of the action runs around Rob Loe. He’s obviously a consummate professional and we’ll have to do a good job on him and obviously Jarrad Weeks, who is having a blast in New Zealand.
Gliddon is a top shooter and "you can’t go to sleep on Reuben Te Rang who can also shoot the ball really well".
But that is enough talk about Auckland.
The Nuggets are unbeaten. They are conceding a miserly 74.3 points per game, which is a league best. And did we mention they won the championship last season?
NBL
Auckland, 7pm
Otago Nuggets: Sam Timmins, Robbie Coman, Todd Withers, Michael Harris, JaQuori McLaughlin, Josh Aitcheson, Jack Andrew/Patrick Freeman, Matt Bardsley, Darcy Knox.
Auckland Tuatara: Rob Loe, Jarrad Weeks, Charlie Dalton, Reuben Te Rangi, Cameron Gliddon, Thomas Beatie, Nicholas Barrow, Chris McIntosh, Reuben Fitzgerald, William Leger.
