RT?? Sport: Weekend basketball preview

Conference leaders 11890 Killester and UL Eagles face double headers in the latest series of Nivea For Men's SuperLeague games.

11890 Killester continue the defence of the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague this weekend with a potentially tough clash at home to Bord Gais Neptune on Saturday, while Ulster Elks lie await on Sunday.

Mark Keenan's Killester charges have enjoyed a perfect start to the season with three wins out of three but will be without Paddy Kelly for these two games due to work commitments.

Issac Westbrooks, who has returned to the club following a spell with Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League, believes the club winning the treble last season has made everyone at Killester even more determined to repeat the heroics this time round.

'The goal is to repeat the treble,' said Westbrooks. 'To go undefeated would be another goal but there is some excellent quality in the league that it would be difficult to achieve that.

'Ulster Elks will over time be a force, while I believe Neptune will be one of the main challengers this season. After seeing UL Eagles, they are probably going to prove the stiffest competition.'

Bord Gais Neptune Head Coach, Pat Price, has described Killester as 'explosive' ahead of their tough trip to the capital on Saturday.

The Cork side have been heavily linked with former Killester star, Michael Bonaparte, but face a race against time to secure his services by the weekend. The club have been forced to seek cover for Robinson Louisme after an ankle injury has ruled the American out for up to three weeks.

'We have a huge challenge against Killester on Saturday, certainly as big as it gets in this league,' said Price.

Ulster Elks are boosted by the return of Kevin Foley as they look to bounce back to winning ways at home to 11890 Killester.

Foley missed last weekend's loss at home to UCD Marian and Head Coach Deirdre Brennan is looking for a vast improvement for the visit of the champions.

'UCD Marian executed well on the variety of defensive errors we made at the weekend,' said Brennan. 'It was a poor defensive performance on our part which was in contrast to the previous weekend. We need to achieve some consistency if we are going to improve.'

Moycullen have two opportunities to earn their first win of the season when they travel to UCD Marian on Saturday night before hosting UL Eagles on Bank holiday Monday.

Eoghan Maxwell remains a doubt with a shoulder injury, while James Loughnane (groin injury) and Garnett Griffin (knee injury) are ruled out.

The Westeners are hoping the clash with UCD will help get their season up and running, according to Cian Nihill, who has been averaging 19.33 points per game this season.

'Last year we got our first win against UCD when Dylan Cunningham had that great three-pointer at the end of the game to win it,' said Nihill. 'Hopefully it can be our first win this time around again.'

UCD Marian's bright start has been helped by the arrival of James Crowder, who contributed 31 points in their win away to Ulster Elks, while Irish trio Conor Meany, Neil Baynes and the returning Barry Glover are also impressing this season.

This weekend marks another busy weekend for the Eagles, who host Belfast Star on Saturday before their trip to Moycullen two days later.

The Eagles lead the Northern Conference following their 100% start to the season and Mark Bernsen's side boast a full strength squad following Rob Lynch's return.

Belfast Star have endured a miserable start to the season and a lot will depend this weekend on whether they can complete the signing of American Clayton Longmire.

UCC Demons produced a sensational comeback to earn their second win of the season last weekend and will be looking to back it up at home to DCU Saints in their latest encounter.

Demons were trailing by 17 points at half time to Moycullen but fought back after the interval to earn a five point success.

'DCU have been very unfortunate to have opened up against who I consider the best two teams in the league this year in Limerick and Killester and by all accounts were very unlucky not to come away with two wins,' said Demons Head Coach Paul Kelleher.

'Emmett Donnelly is up there with the best point guards in the country and will take some minding, while Trimmer, Quill and Darling will give them the size advantage over us and their young players have had a good two years under their belts at this stage and will now give them extra dept.'

Saints will have no fear travelling to Cork after recent displays and last weekend they enjoyed a decent performance in Limerick from across their bench with Eoin Darling leading their scoring on 16 points.

Saints Head Coach Vinny O'Keefe brings a full quota to Cork apart from long term injury absentee Kevin Lacey.