Larry Davidson of the Hawks shoots under pressure. Picture: GETTY IMAGES
NBL
They have steamrolled everything in their path over the first month of the season, surging to the top of the table as the NBL's only unbeaten teams.
Now they have eyes only for each other.
On Sunday unfashionable Wollongong (4-0) host perennial title contenders Perth (3-0) in a mouth-watering showdown at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Discipline and execution are high on the agenda for both sides, and Hawks centre Larry Davidson reckons the game will be akin to a 40-minute staring contest to see who blinks first.
"We're similar in that both teams are pretty well drilled into their offensive systems," Davidson said.
"You watch Perth and they want to get out and run a lot, but there's definitely a method to it. It's not just sprint down the court and pass it around like a hot potato.
"It's similar to us in the sense that when we get an offensive rebound we know exactly what we're in. No-one has to say anything. It's the same with Perth. If they get an offensive rebound, they make one or two passes and get a wide-open three.
"We're both well-drilled and everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing, but we both probably have a different way of going about it."
While Wollongong have emerged as one of the best defensive teams in a half-court situation, the Wildcats rely on constant full-court and half-court pressure to disrupt opponents.
The Hawks struggled to get into an offensive flow in the first quarter of last week's 14-point road win over Adelaide, but they patiently weathered the storm and were perfectly in sync in the third and fourth periods.
Davidson said his side should not fear the inevitable full-scale defensive assault from the Cats.
"They like to pressure teams defensively and take them out of their offence, and that creates a challenge for us to get through that pressure and stick with running our stuff," the 29-year-old said.
"Last week Adelaide came out and pressured us a lot early and took us out of our stuff, but once we adjusted to it we started getting into our half-court sets and then it became easier for us to get good shots.
"The good thing was that even though we came out and just sucked for the first five minutes, instead of dropping our heads and thinking we're going to get blown out and the crowd will be on us, we just settled down and got into our stuff and made them play some defence.
"It's going to be the same against Perth. They'll come out from the start and really try to get after us. If we take the challenge and meet their pressure head-on - make good leads, get good, strong catches and move the ball - I think we'll be able to get some good shots," said Davidson.
The Hawks will donate a dollar from every casual ticket sold to Ronald McDonald House.
