36ers Not to Be Intimidated in Enemy Territory

The Adelaide 36ers aren’t threatened by the Perth Wildcats’ mighty and intimidating RAC Arena, with import Robert Franks saying they’re “ready for the challenge”.

Adelaide has shown recent signs of improvement following the FIBA break, including their close 89-83 nail-biting loss to the second-placed New Zealand Breakers and a win over Melbourne United.

The 36ers’ improved efforts head into enemy territory against a Wildcats team who are also building confidence.

“We’re going to be ready for the challenge,” Franks said.

“I wouldn’t say intimidating, we’ve responded well on the road this year and I think as professionals and competitors, that’s an environment you want to thrive in.

“It’s a historical place to play, it’s not an easy place to win.”

Franks highlighted teammate Antonius Cleveland as being one of the 36ers’ key defensive stoppers to match up against Wildcats star Bryce Cotton.

“We have a lot of guys starting with AC that can slow him (Cotton) down, wear him down throughout the game and make his life tough for him,” Franks said.

The 36ers have experienced an uptick in energy recently and it has helped them thrive as a collective.

“We’re in high spirits as a collective unit, continuing to get better and better,” Franks said.

“I think everybody sees it; everybody says the energy shifts in the group.

“I’m not content where we are at but it’s a good place that we’re in, and we are just going to continue to grow and give each other the confidence to keep getting better.

“We have to keep going with what’s working for us on both sides of the ball.”

The 36ers head to Perth to take on the Wildcats on Thursday at 9:30pm AEDT.