Wildcats unfazed by Phoenix physical strategy

The Perth Wildcats will go into Friday night’s game against South East Melbourne expecting plenty of physical attention directed at star Bryce Cotton.

However, this is the same mindset they take into every game, as opposition sides do their best to curtail the influence of the reigning NBL MVP.

“It’s nothing new, Bryce gets that attention all the time. He’s a two-time league MVP, three-time champion, he’s had physicality and people threatening him before,” said Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson.

“If they want to send him to the foul line, we’re more than happy.”

The response from Gleeson comes after Phoenix captain Adam Gibson suggested hard fouling Cotton may make it easier to guard him.

“It’s the guys off the ball that can impact, make more of a difference and discourage him from wanting to drive in there,” he said.

“Maybe we have to foul him hard a few times and put him on his ****. If you guard a non-shooter, you sit in and help. You can’t guard Bryce with one person.”

But Gleeson shrugged off the strategy.

“The referees are on notice now that that’s their tactics, the Red Army are on notice of what their tactics are, so it’s pretty easy for us,” he said.

“We have to collectively take advantage of that. Bryce gets a lot of attention regardless whenever we play, it’s really up to our teammates to crash the glass, and get open looks out of that, get layups and use that.

“Bryce has that much basketball IQ that he can turn into a playmaker.”

On top of his game-high 27 points, Cotton also had a game-high seven assists in last week’s matchup against the Phoenix.

Gleeson said playing a team on consecutive occasions does change the dynamic of the contest.

“They’re tough, they’ve got transition threes, they’re probably a couple of guys down where they would normally be up. We’re expecting a big response from them, and I’m sure they’ll put it all on the line on Friday night.”

Friday’s game will see Jesse Wagstaff play his 349^th NBL game – equalling Andrew Vlahov for fourth on the clubs list of most-capped players.

Tip-off is at 6.30pm. Watch live on ESPN, SBS ON Demand or listen on ABC Perth.