"It was an unusual experience to say the least," coach Anthony Stewart said, "so, we're pretty glad that's over."

This follows an exhaustive three games in four days in New Zealand amid missing flight connections and motel booking failures.

The Huskies will host the Auckland-based Super City Rangers in Saturday night's first-ever NZNBL match ever to held on an Australia court.

Stewart said there is more at stake than focusing on the historic night in Hobart.

"They are lining up with their backs to the wall. They have only won one from their first three too," he said.

"So I expect them to be desperate as we will. You just don't want to lose this one and fall 1-3 behind the pack."

Notching up a second win in four starts is paramount, but Stewart admits to eyeing off the next five in the state including two in Launceston.

That's where the last Hobart Chargers SEABL coach is backing his new club to push for a top-four finals spot.

Never in this decade has Wellington Saints, who last week soundly beat the Huskies by 27 points, nor Southland Sharks both missed out on a NZNBL grand final.

Stewart felt the signing of Australian captain Cam Gliddon will ensure Canterbury Rams are another contender.

"It's open for that fourth spot at the moment," he said.

"We're hopeful we can get a couple of upsets along the season. The next two games is Wellington Saints in Hobart and Southland Sharks in Launceston. Those teams could play NBL straight away.

"The Launceston community is going to get a real good look at the highest quality of basketball we can provide.

"If we can knock off one of those to cause an upset that would put us on the right track, but we can't go past this game as it's a must-win."

The Huskies will finalise their roster in the next week.

Perth Wildcats championship winner Bryan Michaels will play in the Rangers game.

Stewart expects Kiwi journeyman Marcel Jones to face the Sharks at the Silverdome.

"It may take a little while to get everyone on the same page, but at the same time we have to come out hungry and be competitive," he said, "we think we can win this one."