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The Titans finished the first 11 games with a 9-2 record to be the closest challenger to City Oilers in the table standings.
KIU Titans started the National Basketball League season as one of the teams expected to challenge City Oilers for the championship.
But if the first meeting between the two sides was supposed to paint any picture, it only emphasized the gulf in class as City Oilers pummeled the university side 79-51 in the season opener.
And yet that will not affect the team’s spirit ahead of the second round.
Head coach Julius Lutwama told Pulse Sports that making it to the finals remains the team’s main objective.
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06:20 - 06.06.2023
BASKETBALL Mandy Juruni expects a better City Oilers in the second round
Whereas the champions cruised in most of the games, the tactician believes some players are still struggling to find their footing in the season, something that must be addressed going into the business end of the season.
“The first-round performance wasn’t good enough but fair,” Lutwama said.
“We were working on certain concepts, and the target remains the same, to make the finals.
“The performance was not very good but fair. Just work in progress.”
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17:57 - 29.05.2023
BASKETBALL Dominant Displays: Top players leave their mark in the final week of the National Basketball League first round
The National Basketball League's last weekend of the first round witnessed outstanding performances from some of the league's brightest stars. Players like Ruai Luak from the City Oilers, Maluel Dier representing Our Savior, Joseph Kumbai of the Ndejje Angels, Titus Lual from the City Oilers, and Saidi Amisi of the KIU Titans showcased their skills.
The Titans finished the first 11 games with a 9-2 record to be the closest challenger to City Oilers in the table standings.
City Oilers and UCU Canons are the two teams that defeated KIU in the first round.
Have to do better
With the second round set to tip off on June 16, Lutwama expects a lot better from his troops in various aspects of the game.
“We haven’t reached the level of competing in the finals. Our shooting and passing were good but can get better.
14:58 - 14.05.2023
BASKETBALL KIU Titans coach Julius Lutwama expects loss to UCU to be a wakeup call
Lutwama was also quick to dismiss any suggestions that the refereeing on the day played a part in his team's defeat.
“We were not defending very well and not rebounding if you look at our stats. We’ve won games, but there is a lot of work we must do.
“Basketball is rebounding; it means extra possessions and denying the opponents second-chance points.
“We’ll have to improve otherwise, we risk being a very good team on paper.”
KIU were projected to be in the finals because of the recruitment of Saidi Amisi, Innocent Ochera, Peter Obleng, Collins Kasujja and Brian Opiyo.
The five players came in with a lot of expectations but have had to get used to the team, how they gel with the core that was found in place will determine how far KIU go.
15:54 - 01.06.2023
BASKETBALL First round end shows City Oilers are still the real deal
The big question which remains unanswered, however, is who will stop City Oilers and when?
“We signed five new players, and these were key pieces in their previous teams. Dynamics had to change, fitting them into play. They have been working towards the team chemistry and are adjusting very well.”
Stanley Mugerwa, Edgar Munaba and Isaiah Mabeny are some of the key pieces that KIU retained after last season’s semi-final exit.
And how they gel with the new crop will be vital in determining KIU’s fortunes this season.
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