The new 10-team NBL draw was released yesterday with Wollongong away to the Breakers first up on Thursday, September 18.

Two days later the Hawks play their first home game of the season against Sydney Spirit (formerly West Sydney Razorbacks) at WIN Entertainment Centre.

With Brisbane, Sydney Kings and Singapore all dropping out of the NBL, the 10 remaining teams play 30 games each this season.

The Hawks face Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast four times and meet their six other rivals three times.

Wollongong have five Saturday night home games in 2008-09, plus eight Friday night home games and two Wednesday night matches at the WEC.

Meanwhile, Cairns will host Australian coach Brian Goorjian's South Dragons in the opening game of the new season on Saturday, September 13.

The final round of competition is on February 14 and with eight of the 10 teams in action on that date, the top six is likely not to be finalised until the season's final night.

"The drafting and redrafting of the schedule this year has been the most challenging we have ever undertaken," NBL chief executive Chuck Harmison said.

"The standard on the court will be higher than ever with our teams having been able to strengthen significantly their rosters due to the league coming back to 10 teams."