Preview: Bristol Flyers v Leeds Force

All the key information on Friday’s BBL opponents can be found below.

LEEDS FORCE
Force are well known to Flyers having made the step-up to the BBL from EBL Division 1 at the same time as Coach K’s men at the start of this season. Beginning life in 2006 as Leeds Carnegie, the team had a rapid rise, with three successive promotions in their first three years to reach the EBL Division 1. Leeds finished last season in 6th place in the EBL, before winning the play-offs in the post-season. Rebranded as Leeds Force for their inaugural BBL season, the team have had a decent first season with a 7-20 record leaving them in 11th. Force will be in good spirits this week fresh from the highlight of their season so far – a 78-76 victory over Cheshire giving them their first win over a top four side.

COACH
Matt Newby – Force Head Coach Newby is also Director of Basketball at Leeds University and has a strong focus on developing domestic talent. Like Force, this is Newby’s first season as a BBL coach.

STAR MAN
James McCann – Signed from University College of San Diego ahead of Force’s debut BBL season, the American guard has had a good start to life in the BBL. The 22 year old has fitted in well at Leeds, currently fourth in average assists and fifth in total assists made – if Flyers can stop the American calling the shots then they’ll have a good chance of a fourth successive win.

OFFICIALS
Taking charge of Friday’s game will be Andy Thackray, Darren Bolt and Gavin Lewis.

TICKETS
Tickets for this game are SOLD OUT with no tickets available on the door on the night.

Tickets for next week's game with Sheffield Sharks are now on sale - click here for tickets to next week's game.

LAST TIME OUT
Flyers cruised to one of their biggest wins of the season 73-58 at Leeds.

LAST SEASON
BBL: n/a (6th in EBL Division 1 – play-off winners)
BBL: n/a
BBL: n/a

DID YOU KNOW?
This Friday will mark the first meeting between the sides as BBL teams at the SGS WISE Arena.