Leicester Riders: Rob Paternostro raring to go

Leicester head coach Rob Paternostro says he cannot wait to get the season underway as the club look to repeat last season's record-breaking success.

Paternostro, whose side face new franchise Birmingham Knights at home on Saturday, led Riders to the league championship, cup and play-off titles.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "We're all looking forward to taking the floor and playing for our crowd for a real game.

"We are excited to hear the intensity. We want the place rocking."

Can Riders dominate again?

Riders have managed to keep the majority of their squad from last season, which saw them win three of the four major titles. The tone was set earlier in the summer when Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan agreed a new contract and that was followed by new deals for the likes of Spanish point guard Jorge Calvo and American forward Jay Cousinard.

The latter has helped the club's two new signings from the USA settle in - point guard Anthony Downing and forward Rashad Hassan. Both have looked very capable in pre-season but, as head coach Rob Paternostro is keen to point out, the team will take time to bed in.

John Sinclair, BBC Radio Leicester

Paternostro was named BBL coach of the year last season and signed a new long-term contract in the summer.

The club have retained the nucleus of last season's side - including Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan - and have also signed American duo Anthony Downing and Rashad Hassan.

Paternostro added: "We are trying to get everybody accustomed to each other - that's the biggest challenge you have at the start of the season.

"The effort will be there no matter what, even if we may look a little bit rusty and like we haven't played too much together.

"At this point in the season, everybody is in the same boat. It's an exciting time of the year because not many teams know what to expect.

"We are not the finished product by any means.

Captain and longest-serving player Barry Lamble is confident the new additions have made Riders even better than last season.

"It's a new team this season and we are looking for new achievements," Lamble said.

"The team we have is probably on a par, if not slightly stronger than last season. We have new players who seem to have settled quite well and have played well in pre-season."