The last time the Otago Nuggets ventured south to Invercargill, they were eviscerated 114-67 by the Southland Sharks.
It was the heaviest loss in their history but the franchise can avenge that loss, or at least restore some pride, in their opening game of the 2014 campaign on April 4.
The Nuggets have drawn the defending champions first up and the Sharks will have home-court advantage.
The season opener is two days earlier, between the Wellington Saints and the Hawks Bay Hawks in Wellington.
The Nuggets reached the playoffs for the first time since 1997 last season. They made a brilliant beginning, winning their first eight games before coming unstuck against the Saints in Wellington.
But it was the loss to Southland which proved the most damaging. It came towards the end of the regular season and the Nuggets never regained their momentum, losing to the Nelson Giants 87-72 in the semifinal.
For the Sharks, the massive win gave the team the confidence it needed to upset the highly-rated Saints in the semifinal and then go on to win the tournament.
The South Island had three teams in the semifinals last season and, with the Canterbury Rams returning to the league for the first time since 2008, basketball in the South Island appears to be in good health. Canterbury's return has seen the league expand from nine to 10 teams.
The Nuggets' first home game is against Waitakere at the Edgar Centre on April 12.
At Easter, they have away games against Canterbury and Wellington before returning home to host the Hawkes Bay Hawks on Anzac Day.
That game is the first in a run of five home games. Fans have to wait until June 8 for the Nuggets to host the Sharks and June 22 to see the Rams play in Dunedin for the first time in six years.
The Nuggets complete the regular season with an away doubleheader against the Manawatu Jets and Hawks.
The playoffs schedule and format has not been decided.
2014 NBL
Otago Nuggets draw
Home games: v Waitakere, April 12; v Hawkes Bay, April 25; v Taranaki, May 2; v Nelson, May 9; v Waikato, May 17; v Wellington, May 24; v Manawatu, June 6; v Southland, June 8; v Canterbury, June 22.
Away games: v Southland, April 4; v Canterbury, April 19; v Wellington, April 21; v Waitakere, May 31; v Waikato, June 1; v Taranaki, June 13; v Nelson, June 14; v Manawatu, June 27; v Hawkes Bay, June 28.
