The last time the Ballarat Miners played a home game was round two of the NBL1 season.
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Afterwards they embarked on a five-game road trip and - although undefeated - were still largely unproven.
Much has changed.
In the time since, the Miners have reeled off five straight wins, including a 16-point thrashing of the league's top side.
And this weekend they will return to the Minerdome as the competition's only undefeated team for the first of a two-game home-stand.
It's an exciting prospect for coach Brendan Joyce. And he believes the best is still to come.
"We wanted to win enough games to ignite enthusiasm within the community and I think we've done that, so hopefully we've got a packed house," he said.
"Our goal is to make the playoffs, and the way it's going now, the next goal is to get a home final, and we want this place to be a fortress come playoff time."
Joyce's men will face a challenging task on Saturday against a young and hungry outfit in Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence.
Considered the best up-and-coming prospects in the country, Joyce knows first hand the dangers the team poses, having worked for the program.
"They're usually pretty cocky," Joyce said.
"But they're talented and long. They're selected, not on their ability now, but on their potential to play for Australia."
Joyce said the Miners will probably be without import Marqueze Coleman for the contest after he injured his ankle during the first game of last week's double-header against Kilsyth.
The American has had a rough run of injuries in the early part of the season, missing the first three games prior to his latest setback.
"He struggled in the game and he didn't recover the next day, so I'd say it's unlikely he plays," Joyce said.
The next goal is to get a home final, and we want this place to be a fortress come playoff time.
- Brendan Joyce
BACOE will enter the contest in 12th spot on the ladder, having won four out of nine games. Ballarat forward Jerry Evans Jr said the Miners would look to come out aggressive and take control early.
"They're the best young talent, and you expect them to be cocky," Evans Jr said.
"We just have to come out early and not give them that cushion or edge for them to talk trash, and try and put the game away early if possible."
Evans Jr expects the Miners' strength to come in handy against their younger counterparts, but said a strong a home crowd would also the boost side.
"I can't wait to play in front of the Ballarat crowd, we had a great time earlier and we're looking forward to that again," he said.
