Hawks say "it's time" to end Adelaide hoodoo

It's been nearly four years since the Illawarra Hawks have won a game in Adelaide.

That last victory (81-71) came on December 5, 2021, with Tyler Harvey, Harry Froling and Sam Froling (currently injured) being the only remaining players. Then Hawk Isaac White now plays for his hometown 36ers.

Well aware of the drought, which includes six straight losses in the City of Churches, championship winning coach Justin Tatum had his say:

"We haven't won there in years, it's time," Tatum told The Illawarra Mercury.

To change these fortunes, Tatum knows his Hawks need to contain five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, with the 36ers boasting a 7-0 record when he's scored more than 24 points.

"It's important I think for us to try to make it difficult for somebody who's running probably 30 to 35 per cent of their offence," Tatum said.

"For us, it's about rebounding the ball. If Bryce has a good game or doesn't have a good game, when they miss shots, we have to get the ball.

"Looking at our losses, you see teams got four or five more attempts than us in the course of the game. Then you go to the rebounding, and they have 12 or 13 offensive boards. That's where we feel the game lies at. We know they have good players, we just have to finish plays."

Wednesday's Ignite Cup game in Adelaide tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

‍Read the full story here >> Inside the numbers of Illawarra's daunting record against the 36ers