Both Border clubs square off against reigning CBL champions Seymour Blasters, who have started their title defence in ominous fashion with a four-game winning streak in which they’ve conceded a paltry 54.5 points per game.

And while last year’s runners-up Cougars have also had an undefeated start to their campaign for redemption, it was the Wolves who provided the first surprise of the season when they lost their first game, 91-86, to a largely unheralded Maryborough line-up.

Wodonga coach Ken Kereama admitted this weekend’s matches against Deniliquin and the Blasters would provide a stern test for his squad, especially with Josh Hibbett likely to miss this weekend’s games.

“We’re certainly not going to be complacent about either game,” Kereama said.

“The thing we learned about the first round was that it’s going to be an even competition this year, which is exciting for everyone.

“You can’t come into games with the wrong mindset, you have to go in switched on and ready to play from the get-go otherwise any team, if it plays well on the day, can beat you.

“We wouldn’t be favourites to win this, obviously Seymour, being last season’s champions are probably favourites, but they’ve probably been tested a little more this year by teams they would’ve blown away last year.

“I think that goes to show just how even the competition is this year, Albury and Wodonga both beat Echuca by similar scores, it was just unfortunate that we couldn’t stop Maryborough.”

Kereama added he was hoping to have more of a balanced scoring load to help young guard Matt Asquith, who has averaged 24.5 points per game for the Wolves this season.

“You look at the stats after the game and you don’t realise he (Asquith) has had 27-30 points,” Kereama said.