Preview: Illawarra vs Sydney - Round 6, NBL24

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The reigning champions will head down to Wollongong for the second time this season.

Friday, November 3 at 7:30pm AEDT | WIN Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

In Round 1 the Kings spoiled the Hawks’ season-opener by 15 points under new coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah. Since then the Kings have gone 3-3, while Illawarra have added two wins to the board.

During that time, Jordan Hunter has emerged as the rising star of the Kings’ rotation – while Next Star Alex Toohey has blossomed in a starting role with Jaylin Galloway missing time with a shoulder injury.

The Hawks started the season low, but with Tyler Harvey delivering a dagger against the Cairns Taipans – the momentum will stay in the Snake Pit going into this Friday night clash.

Formguides

Illawarra
96-84 loss to Melbourne
84-83 win over Cairns
101-91 loss to Melbourne

Sydney
95-105 loss to Tasmania
87-80 loss to Cairns
99-86 win over Perth

Lachlan Olbrich
Illawarra big Lachlan Olbrich came into the NBL24 season as one of the most hyped rookies in the competition, and his early performances even led to him being placed on ESPN's mock draft.

Like all young players he's had some good games, some not so good games, and everything in between.

Olbrich struggled against the elite center duo of Ariel Hukporti and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr in Illawarra's most recent game, and his prospects don't get any easier this weekend, as he prepares to take on Jordan Hunter and Jonah Bolden.

The former UC Riverside big is obviously an immense talent, and Jacob Jackomas has previously praised the ability he has to bounce back through adversity and tough performances.

Although the Kings are currently on a two-game losing slide they are still one of the most lethal sides in the competition, and Illawarra can't afford to have any passengers if they're to win this game.

Olbrich has the chance to properly establish himself as a talent for the future this season, and who better to hammer than home against than the local rivals?

"He had a tough night against this team (Melbourne) last time, he did well against Cairns I thought, and the only thing I have are his actions ... he picked himself up against Cairns and he had a little bit more of a battle, I expect him for the next game to pick himself up." - Jacob Jackomas on Lachie Olbrich, following the loss to Melbourne.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Olbrich scored combined a 38 points across the <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a>' final pair of Blitz games, leading the team in scoring each game ? <br><br>A young star to keep an eye on for NBL24 ? <a href="https://t.co/eItgQfalC2">https://t.co/eItgQfalC2</a> <a href="https://t.co/piGZlCGlFZ">pic.twitter.com/piGZlCGlFZ</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1705794767756640414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DJ Hogg
DJ Hogg has had one game against his former team to wear off the rust on the hardwood, after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury.

In the Kings’ loss against the Taipans he scored 13 points in 24 minutes, and showed signs of his brilliance with Cairns last season.

Last season’s All-NBL Second Team member was a major acquisition from the back-to-back champions this off-season.

Hogg is such an active presence on both ends of the floor and was crucial to Cairns' fast-paced, heavy metal defence last season, and his physical attributes look likely to lend themselves well to Abdelfattah's switch-laden defensive system this season.

Kings fans will be hungry to see what their star forward can provide against their state rivals.

"I was out of rhythm, out of whack but I'm building one game at a time. It wasn't my best performance - not even close - but I'm not going to be too hard on myself first game back. I'll just stick with it." - DJ Hogg following the loss to Cairns.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Guess who’s back ?<br><br>DJ Hogg will face his old team in his opening game of NBL24 ?<br><br>Catch the action live from 8pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/S5AfUey4Rg">pic.twitter.com/S5AfUey4Rg</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1718116891594719429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sam Froling vs Jordan Hunter
The battle of the bigs will take place down in the ‘Gong, the pair of Australian centres had 12 points against each other back in Round 1. but this Friday night's clash will be about cleaning the glass.

Froling has been one of the league’s best rebounders, averaging eight per game sitting in fourth place. Hunter historically has not had to be a strong rebounder alongside the likes of Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin and Tim Soares. But this season the paint has been Hunter’s alone.

While his impact is felt in boxing out (with the Kings leading as the best rebounding team), Froling will have to assert himself to ensure the Hawks are not outrebounded and can limit the Kings’ second-chance offence.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that’s how you start a game ?<br><br>Catch all the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/S6ypezEwcS">pic.twitter.com/S6ypezEwcS</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1717462492174270956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Kings have won their last seven fixtures against the Hawks. The last time Illawarra defeated Sydney was Round 21, NBL22, where the winner took home-court advantage in the impending semi-final series between the two clubs. Justinian Jessup starred on that occasion with 24 points.

Gettyimages 1393277957
Justinian Jessup shoots over Jarell Martin on the last occasion the Hawks beat the Kings.