Bruton: "We have a lot of work to do"

Monday, September 11, 2023

"It’s pre-season, we have been great in the pre-season in past years, but it doesn’t guarantee you success in the main season."

The Adelaide 36ers have “a lot of work to do” ahead of their first regular season-game on September 29, coach CJ Bruton admits.

A 103-78 loss against the Brisbane Bullets was somewhat of a reality check for the 36ers, particularly coming off a 36-point win over the Phoenix just eight days earlier.

But perhaps it’s the loss they needed to have.

“We have a few things to clean up as we prepare for the start of the season,” Bruton told the club’s website.

“Ultimately it all comes down to the start of the season, people see that game and see you lose by 25 points, it’s disappointing to lose by that much, but you need to continue to grow.

“It’s pre-season, we have been great in the pre-season in past years, but it doesn’t guarantee you success in the main season.”

Adelaide took an early 27-25 quarter-time lead in Saturday’s clash against Justin Schueller’s Bullets, but a 15-34 second period cost them dearly.

From there, the 36ers were never really in the game, despite the best efforts of imports Jacob Wiley (16 points) and Trey Kell (14), and another promising showing from Next Star Trentyn Flowers (nine points, six rebounds).

“Wiley is a starter and it was great for us to get him a few minutes, he hasn’t really been on the floor for the best part of two weeks,” Bruton said.

“He is always going to give you his all and he showed that yet again.

“The first quarter we went blow-for-blow with them early and I was pleased with how we responded.

“But they [the Bullets] took us out of our offense too easy, they were physical defensively and took it right up to us.

“It was a good hit-out, but I’m glad it’s pre-season and we got through some fresh bodies through.”

Adelaide will regain some valuable size in the paint for the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz, with off-season recruit Isaac Humphries to return, as well as former NBL1 star Alex Starling.

The Blitz tips off on Saturday, September 16 on the Gold Coast.

The 36ers’ will face the perfect test of their progress when they travel to Brisbane in Round 1 of the NBL24 season.

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