The Newcastle Eagles and the Leicester Riders will ignite a fierce rivalry as they face-off in a winner takes all matchup for the inaugural Super League Basketball Playoff trophy.

This is a playoff matchup that is steeped in British basketball history – the countries most successful franchise – with 27 titles – takes on the countries oldest franchise – established in 1967.

2011-2017: The clash of the titans commences

A spectacular seven year period saw the two historic franchises contest for some form of silverware, beginning with the 2012 British Basketball League Playoff Final – a game which saw the Eagles, inspired by a 21 point performance from Charles Smith, put the sword to a plucky Riders roster in a contest that ended 71-62.

However, Leicester responded magnificently in the 2012/13 campaign by dominating the domestic landscape. The Riders went on to win a historic trophy treble and lit the fuse, which ignited the fiercest rivalry in BBL history.

The trophy tug of war continued, with Newcastle winning the quadruple in 2014 and Leicester winning the double just a year later. Each side landing significant blows in each passing year like a set of ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em’ robots, with neither franchise willing to take their foot off the gas.

Finally, 2016/17 was the last campaign that saw the two titans of British basketball compete at an elite level against one another. The Riders dominated in the league once again and handed the Eagles a heartbreaking defeat in the Playoff Final – trouncing the Tynesiders 84-63.

And now, we land in the “new dawn of British basketball” and it appears fate has manufactured a path for the two franchises to finally face off for domestic silverware once again.

New era, familiar faces

Newcastle have continued to etch their name into basketball folklore as they were triumphant in the inaugural Super League Basketball Trophy – defeating the Bristol Flyer by a score of 97-78.

Of course, Leicester may be yet to win a trophy in the new era of British basketball, but they have had an impressive regular season themselves. The Riders finished second in the standings with an outstanding 23 wins from 32 games.

Both of the historic franchises have constructed fearsome rosters that withhold sensational talent able to decide the destiny of any fixture.

Star-duo Mike Okauru and Trey Pulliam have created one of the most devastating partnerships in the SLB during this campaign – combining for a mammoth 31 points per game.

The Riders possess their own sensational pairing who provide a perfect balance of playmaking and explosive scoring.

Zach Jackson has averaged a highly efficient 17.7 points per game while shooting 52.4% from the floor. His partner in crime, Jaylin Hunter, showcased his creative talents by laying on 7 assists per game for his teammates.

This will be a breathtaking matchup between two heavyweights of the domestic game.

Which storied franchise will create Super League Basketball history and lift the inaugural Playoff Final trophy?