COACH Gary Stronach likes Plymouth Raiders' chances at Guildford Heat in the BBL Championship tomorrow (3pm).

Raiders visit 5-4 Heat following last night's contest at Newcastle Eagles.

Stronach and his players flew to Tyneside yesterday and stayed overnight in the North East ahead of tomorrow's trip to Surrey.

Raiders have a thin squad this season and will be buoyed by the fact Heat rank below them in points off the bench in 2009/10.

"Tomorrow is a winnable game," said Stronach. "Guildford aren't a big team and it's a pretty good match-up for us."

Heat, who have lost their last two contests and have only one game this weekend, have had a summer of upheaval.

Out went coach Paul James and key starters, guard EJ Harrison (to Milton Keynes Lions) and Keonta Howell (to Wohnbau in Germany's division two).

In came a new backcourt, guards 6ft Aaron Drakeford from University of Rio Grande and 6ft 5in Kenny Langhorne from the American IBL, where Raiders recruited forward Terry Horton from.

Stronach said: "I saw Guildford in pre-season. Drakeford is quick and can penetrate, similar to (Leicester Riders guard) Tack Minor. Langhorne is more of a jump-shooter."

On the wing, Heat this season start Julius Joseph, formerly of BBL rivals Glasgow Rocks, behind player-coach Chad McKnight and Mike Martin up front. Langhorne leads Heat this season, averaging 17.5 points per game, supported by 16.9 and 16.1 points per game from Joseph and Martin respectively.

Langhorne is also shooting an excellent 53 per cent, ranking second in the BBL, from the three-point line.

Stronach said, prior to last night's game at Eagles: "We haven't travelled well this season because we've been light on numbers. We have (big-man) Anthony Rowe in now, so that's going to help a lot.

"I'm looking to see how we react on the road.

"We've been up and down at home obviously, but we're away from the Pavilions and our fans this weekend – let's see what we can do."

Stronach added: "I always feel Mike Martin is the key when you play Guildford.

"He's a strong player inside and a big handful.

"We've got to limit certain looks he has at the basket offensively, and at the other end make him play defence. That's a big thing for us.

Raiders were 1-7 ahead of last night.

Heat are coming off two defeats when they were twice guilty of slow starts.

Last time out, in a 97-83 defeat at leaders Sheffield Sharks, Heat surrendered the first frame 32-21.

Previously, at home to Everton Tigers on November 6, Heat trailed 27-12 after the opening period and embarrassingly by as many as 30, 78-48.

TICKETS for tomorrow's game at the Guildford Spectrum are priced £10 for adults, £5 for under-16s, students and OAPs. For more information, contact the Spectrum box-office on 01483 443333.

FOR REPORT OF RAIDERS' GAME AT NEWCASTLE LAST NIGHT – VISIT www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/raiders