Illawarra Hawks star Sam Froling says the team is embracing being viewed as one of the championship favourites this season.

As the Hawks prepare to return to the court on Sunday after a COVID enforced break, Froling has explained how they enjoy the challenge of heightened expectations.

"Last year we were always the underdog and you come into games thinking 'if we do everything perfect we can win'," Froling said via the Illawarra Mercury.

"Now it's almost flipped to where it's ours to lose.

"Last year we were that team that was wanting to go in and upset the better teams on the ladder. Now I think the other teams are viewing us as one of the top dogs and they're coming and giving their best to us every game.

"It's a bit of a role reversal for sure, but we still approach it the same way. We come into every game with the same attitude, we take every game seriously and we just want to beat everybody.

"To do that we have to play at our best every night because everyone's giving us their best shot."

Froling also believes Illawarra has “heaps of room for improvement”.

Illawarra sits third on the ladder and are scheduled to face Melbourne United on Sunday at 1pm AEDT. The game will be broadcast on 10 Peach and Kayo Freebies.