While Gaze’s appearance is a drawcard, the Braves’ recent form and style of basketball should ensure a packed house at Bendigo Stadium.

The Braves top the SEABL east conference ladder, have an average winning margin of 21.5 points and have the best defensive record in the league.

 “When we looked at our fixture at the start of he year and we only had two games at home in our first seven games, we set ourselves to be 5-2,’’ Braves coach Ben Harvey said.

“To be 6-1 after seven games is a great effort. The team has gelled well and  we’re playing team basketball. We’ve set up our season well, but we need to keep building on that. We won’t be taking the Tigers lightly.”

While the Braves are flying, the Tigers have won just one game in their first season in the SEABL.

Harvey said the secret to the Braves’ success has been the spread of contributors.

“We’re not relying on one or two people to score big numbers and we’re playing team defence,’’ Harvey said.

“Defensively we’re only allowing an average of 68 points per game and offensively we’re averaging 18 assists per game. We’ve got a great balance in the way we’re playing.”

The Braves’ young players are playing their role off the bench, with Daniel Hansen, Jordan Mangan and Jake Cowling all making an impact.

Braves’ D League player Jake Lloyd had the opportunity to suit up for two SEABL games earlier this season and Jake Willcocks will make his debut with the senior squad against the Tigers.

Willcocks has been in super form in the D League. The small forward scored 31 and 30 points respectively in two wins last weekend.

With the Lady Braves having the bye this weekend, the Braves D League team, coached by club greats David Beks and Justin Cass, will play in the curtain-raiser on Saturday night from 6pm.