May 2, 2023

City Oilers is a must-win game for SLAC - Miller

Dane Miller has come up with big numbers in the first two games of the 2023 Nile Conference, but SLAC are yet to win a game.

He leads the current BAL season in scoring (25 ppg), minutes played (39.9), steals (3.5 per game), and blocks (2.5 per game).

In build-up to the clash against City Oilers, another team with a similar 0-2 mark, on Tuesday, Miller feels SLAC must do a better job to stay in the hunt for a place in the next round.

Only the teams that finish in the top four places of the Conference qualify for the Playoffs later this month in Kigali.

CAIRO, EGYPT - APRIL 30: Najeal Young #4 of the CFV - Beira boxes out during the game against the SLAC on April 30, 2023 at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images)

“We should have been 2-0, but we need to come out and keep playing,” Miller told the bal.nba.com.

SLAC lost their first two games against Cape Town Tigers and Ferroviario da Beira.

Compared to last season, when they finished 2-3 and advanced to the Playoffs, things look slightly bleaker this time around for SLAC.

A win against the Oilers on Tuesday would be a huge morale booster for SLAC.

But, before they finish their Nile Conference campaign, SLAC face two tough tests against title contenders Al Ahly and Petro de Luanda.

“Right now we have our backs are against the wall. We just have to fight,” Miller acknowledged.

SLAC haven’t won a BAL game since March 12, 2022 when they beat Ferroviario da Beira during the Sahara Conference in Dakar.

Despite the challenges ahead of SLAC, Miller remains upbeat about the team’s positive attitude.

“We just have to humble ourselves,” he said.

“At the end of the day we still have to throw the ball up. It’s going to be tough. Uganda [City Oilers] is a good team and, that’s a must-win. If we win that game it keeps us in the hunt to qualify.”

Overall, SLAC are 2-6 in the BAL.

Meanwhile, Germaine Roeburck Jr., one of City Oilers most impactful players, insists the best is yet to come for the Ugandan champions.

“The next three games are going to be better for us. We are a very good team, one of the best teams in this conference,” Roebuck Jr. observed in a chat with the bal.nba.com.

City Oilers dropped two straight losses to Al Ahly and Petro de Luanda, and will take on SLAC, Cape Town Tigers and Beira before the end of the 2023 Nile Conference season.

“If we play as a group, we can win any game.”

“If we had played like that in the first half [against Al Ahly] we would have won the game. If we play the way played in the second half we can beat any team in this conference,” he said when discussing City Oilers’ fight back from a 33-point deficit to end up losing by 2 (72-70).

BAL debutant City Oilers are still chasing their first win in the competition.