The Breakers gave up more points in the regular season than any other team and will put their new defensive system into practice at the NBL Blitz, which begins in Brisbane tomorrow.
They will add the final touches in Dunedin next month when they play the Sydney Kings.
Vickerman described that October 2 game in Dunedin as ''unbelievably important''.
''It is our last pre-season game before we play Perth in the first game of the season.
''We're not going to have Thomas Abercrombie and Mika Vucona for the pre-season Blitz tournament, so that tour to Christchurch and Dunedin is going to be the only pre-season games to prepare us for the season.
''We've got a number of new people and it takes game time to build that chemistry and find those combinations that work well together.
''We've also gone for a new defensive system this year and so that will take some time for it to cement.''
Cedric Jackson's return should excite fans.
The classy point guard was a key member of the 2011-12 and 2012-13 sides which won the league. He was MVP in 2012-13 following some wonderful performances, including an extremely rare triple double.
According to Vickerman, he is looking as sharp as ever.
''He is showing great leadership in our practices . . . and he is still as quick as he was.
''He is coming off a year where there was some frustration with both injuries and just the way the programme was run in Slovenia, so I think he is really enjoying being back in New Zealand and enjoying the system that we run.''
Centre Alex Pledger, who was sidelined from the recent world cup with a torn tendon in his foot, is back practising.
''He still has some soreness from his toe but it is not restricting him too much at all at the moment.
"We expect him to play reasonable minutes at the Blitz and certainly get back to more solid minutes in the pre-season games down in Christchurch and Dunedin.''
Corey Webster is managing an ankle complaint but will play at the Blitz.
Abercrombie is struggling with a knee injury and Vucona has picked up a back injury since returning from the world cup.
''Taking him on a flight to Brisbane would not help him at all. But all of those guys will be available [in Dunedin].''
Vickerman said the side was looking forward to its South Island sojourn.
''We were down [in Dunedin] a few years ago. The crowd turned out and were really supportive of the Breakers being there.
"We certainly look forward to having a packed house again and putting on an exciting game for them.''
