The Skytrans Cairns Taipans’ undefeated pre-season against US college competition means nothing ahead of this weekend’s double-header against the Wollongong Hawks, says Alex Loughton.

The 206-centimetre veteran is comfortable with the Snakes’ progress so far in the pre-season, but acknowledges this Friday and Saturday’s hit-out with the Hawks will be its first real test.

“I’m happy with our three games against college teams, but it will be a step up facing another NBL team,” Loughton said.

“Geordie McLeod’s teams are always well-drilled and disciplined compared to what those college teams can be at that time of the year,” he said.

The sides will have extra incentive to hustle in a rare NBL double-header, with the first NBL Blitz points of the pre-season up for grabs on Saturday night.

Three points goes to the winner and one point will be awarded to the winner of each quarter. 0.5 points go to each team if there is a tied quarter.

Loughton said a strong Taipans front-court rotation in 2013/14—featuring Loughton, Cameron Tragardh and new Snakes Matt Burston and rookie Mitchell Young—meant no guarantees on court time for anyone.

Tragardh has averaged 18.6 points per game on 70 per cent shooting against pre-season college competition, rookie Young is averaging 8 rebounds while Loughton and Burston have impressed as the four shared court time.

“We’ve got a good group of bigs who can all handle significant minutes. We’ll have a good rotation without any one big needing to put in a whole game’s worth of minutes.”

“It means you can stay pretty fresh, and it is competitive in that regard too; you aren’t necessarily going to have your set role for the whole game,” he said.

As for former Taipan Dusty Rychart’s suggestion that egos could clash with four new faces arriving in Cairns, Loughton is confident a strong Taipans’ culture would ward off any potential issues.

“We have a good core group of guys who have upgraded their bodies in weight room and floor, so any new guys coming will have to fit into the existing culture,” Loughton said.

“The guys who are returning (from last year) are in control of egos. Anyone new will have to adapt, and I feel like we’re in a good place with how we’ve come together,” he said.

The Snakes will line up this weekend without both imports, Jamar Wilson still resting a strained quadriceps and Demetri McCamey awaiting international clearances before playing.

The Skytrans Cairns Taipans play the Wollongong Hawks at Cairns Basketball tonight and Saturday night; both games tip-off at 6.30pm.

Fans can still secure a four-game pre-season pass at the gate before tonight’s game.