Breakers present big challenge

Containing Breakers big man Colton Iverson is crucial to the Wildcats chances of defeating New Zealand in Tasmania on Saturday.

Iverson is one of few legitimate big men in the NBL this season, standing at a towering 213cm and weighing 116kg.

In their last matchup, Perth pulled down a season-low 26 rebounds as the Breakers came away with a five-point win at RAC Arena.

Iverson had 17 boards of his own.

“He played really well against us, he was a big difference in the game,” said Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson.

“We didn’t really play to our potential on the offensive end either, we didn’t put him in situations that we need to put him in and hopefully we’ll do that this week.”

Gleeson said he’s a unique matchup in this year’s NBL.

“The big guy (in general) hasn’t been as prevalent this year to last year, like Bogut last year, and Miles. With third imports there was scope for that, this year there’s a tendency not to bring the big fellas out, and Bogut was a big reason for that.”

Iverson’s direct matchup is John Mooney who leads the competition in rebounding, with Iverson in third for the season.

Saturday’s game will take place in Launceston, where the Wildcats have played twice before – the first time in 1982 and the second time two weeks ago.

Perth won both of those games.

Gleeson said his team received plenty of support from the locals.

“They were really supportive of us, it was great! A lot of people with Wildcats jerseys in the crowd in Launceston, so hopefully they’ll be out and support us again after last game, we might have built up a bit of rapport there and hopefully they’re cheering for us again.”

Tip-off on Saturday is at 3.30pm. Watch live on VICELAND or SBS On Demand.