WORCESTER Wolves head coach Matt Newby is looking to avoid a BBL Cup-winning hangover when Newcastle Eagles visit on Friday night (7.30pm).

Newby’s side take on Eagles in the BBL Championship after claiming the cup competition for the first time with Sunday’s 67-59 final win over Bristol Flyers at Arena Birmingham.

American centre Amir Williams led Wolves to victory in front of a record 9,244 crowd with 23 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks to claim the MVP award and a place in the week’s All-Star Five.

Now Worcester look to claim another win over Eagles at the University of Worcester Arena after triumphing 90-86 in the cup quarter-finals in late November.

Newby said of the final victory: “It should be the platform for more success if we use it the right way. Winning a cup is a big deal.

“The one thing we don’t want is an emotional or psychological hangover from the big day last weekend and that’s tough with young players.

“They’ve got to shake it off, refocus and reframe for what comes next which is my responsibility as much as anybody’s.

“I think we should be competing for a top-four place from what I’ve seen of the league but there’s six or seven teams that will be trading games.

“We are very excited to bring a trophy home for the fans. It was a great day for British basketball, a massive attendance.

“It was really positive for the game and the BBL.”

Eagles, now under Ian MacLeod who stepped up from assistant coach in pre-season, are the most successful team in BBL history with a string of titles and trophies guided by Fab Flournoy.

Big Newcastle centre CJ Gettys is sure to have an eye-catching tussle with Wolves’ Williams.

Newby continued: “CJ had just arrived when we played the cup game. They’ve had some up-and-down results.

“I think that was the coach and new players bedding in. You can’t discount them to be right up there this season.

“They have a good coach and a very well-rounded roster with players of experience like Darius Defoe, Rahmon Fletcher and Drew Lasker to name but a few.

“Those guys have collected more trophies than most under Fab.

“They will bring that experience to the floor. We did a good job of managing their assets last time but it’s going to be a difficult game.”

Wolves are fifth in the early BBL table with Eagles third and two points ahead having both played seven fixtures.

Newby said of the play-off battle: “Cheshire (in fourth) are playing very well at the moment with a limited roster.

“Leicester (in seventh) have hardly played any games right now so they will be looking to put a run together.

“London are way out in front and have already claimed a 90 per cent win record.

“We handed them that loss but they are in a very strong position right now.

“Then Glasgow (in second) are very well coached as well.

“It’s going to be interesting but healthy for the league that these games will occur and for it to be a more competitive one to eight.

“The three sitting at the bottom (Sheffield Sharks, Plymouth Raiders and Manchester Giants) are going to improve, may make some changes and they will certainly take some games as well-coached, strong organisations.”