PLYMOUTH Raiders work tirelessly the entire BBL season to make the promised land of British basketball, the National Indoor Arena.
But as soon as they reach Birmingham, they look like they want to turn around and go straight home.
And Raiders again fell flat in the semi-finals of the BBL play-offs on Saturday.
Coach Gary Stronach's squad surrendered by 22 points, 93-71 to Newcastle Eagles, who were dominant after overturning a 16-10 first frame deficit.
What is it with Raiders and the big occasion?
In the BBL – and discounting last season's third-fourth play-off which this year was thankfully scrapped – Raiders have now gone 0-3 when it has mattered most at the NIA.
Stronach and his players quickly become passive and introverted if they go behind on the big stage.
It's happened on too many occasions for it not to be a problem.
They lost heavily 81-66 to Guildford Heat at the same stage of 2008's play-offs and the final four remains the furthest Raiders have progressed in the BBL rest story
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