Ballarat Miners hit the road for a top-end NBL1 men's showdown with the third-placed Geelong Supercats on Saturday night.
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Freshened up after a competition-wide week off, the Hotondo Homes Miners will need all the energy they can muster to overcome the Supercats in front of a packed-house in what might be a taste of what is to come in the play-offs.
Coach Brendan Joyce said he knew full-well what was store for his side against a combination on a three-game winning streak.
"They're very good at home. Most of the games they've lost have come on the road, so we know it will be a tough game, but we're the best road team in the league right now and we are not intimidated going into anyone's gym," he said.
Joyce said team defence would be key in overcoming Geelong's versatile inside and outside attack.
"There pretty talented, they've been together a long time," he said.
"They'll run if we let them, but they're more of an interior team, and they've got some pretty big guys."
Miners forward Josh Fox will be one of the players tasked with helping defensively on Geelong big-men Lewis Thomas and Ma'alo Hicks. He said he was excited for the challenge.
"One is really good at rebounding and pushing the pace, and the other is just ultra aggressive," he said.
"We're prepared for it, but it will be a tough match-up."
Fox has been solid contributor, scoring and playmaking as a forward.