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Interactive Hang-Time News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions Eighth up for grabs
Sx3 Star of the Sea and Hibernian UCD Marian will battle it out for the final spot in the Top 8 this weekend, both of them in action on Saturday night. Marian play Sligo on Saturday night while Star have a tougher game against Waterford Crystal.
Marian are hoping to have a full squad this weekend although Barry Glover is in doubt following an injury picked up in training earlier this week. Marian will have a tough game if Sligo are in form this weekend but when they met back in the December, it was Marian who took away the points,
defeating Sligo 85-81.Waterford Crystal could deny Sx3 Star the National Tournament position this weekend when they play their last home game of the season. Waterford will be favourites to win the game, although Coach Michael Evans is struggling to keep his team motivated ahead of the weekend. Having secured the League title last weekend, Waterford will be hoping to finish the season on a high by winning their last home game. Unfortunately Andrew Piper will not be back to full fitness for the finale but is hoped to participate in the National Tournament the following weekend.
Whether Marian and Star win on Saturday night, it will be their performances on Monday when they play each other in the final game of the Superleague season, which will guarantee them the spot. Marian defeated Star by 10-points (97-87) when they met at the beginning of the season, but Star
have improved vastly since.Notre Dame are still a possibility for the Top 8 but will need two victories to catch Star and Marian. Notre Dame's are in action in Tralee on Saturday night and with Tralee's home record, Big Al's will have an uphill battle for qualification. Brandon Hughes is only back to full fitness this
week, while Anthony Jenkins is still struggling with a wrist injury.Should Notre Dame, Star and Marian end tied after the weekend, Big Al's will take the coveted final position on points difference. The top 7 places will not change ahead of the weekend.
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