36ers look to ‘team first’ approach

Adelaide will need to limit the influence of the team-first approach of Tasmania JackJumpers when 36ers travel to Hobart to battle reigning NBL champions on Friday night.

The JackJumpers have five players averaging in double figure points so far across NBL25, led by import point guard Jordon Crawford (15.1).

One of those five players is Will Magnay (13.8), but the Paris Olympian will miss the clash with a toe injury.

Tasmania has turned its season around after a slow start, going on a recent eight-game winning streak to fire back into playoff contention.

The JackJumpers however have lost their past two matches last round to South East Melbourne Phoenix and Illawarra Hawks and will be keen to rebound on home court. 

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THE KEY
Milton Doyle has been the marquee player for Tasmania since he signed with the JackJumpers at the start of the NBL23 season.

His best can be match winning, which he has done several times throughout his three seasons in the NBL, but this season, teams have started to work out ways to limit his influence.

Doyle scored just one point in Tasmania’s loss to the Hawks on Tuesday night, but did haul in a game-high 10 rebounds and a game-high seven assists.

Expect to see Lat Mayen get the first assignment on quelling the influence of Doyle on the contest, especially after his outstanding effort on Chris Goulding last round.

THE SECRET
Tasmania started the NBL25 season slowly and it was mostly due to the ankle injury to guard Sean Macdonald.

Macdonald, who was a Development Player last season, started for Tasmania in the championship series win over Melbourne United and has become a big part of the JackJumpers’ game plan.

The combo guard starts at the point and gets stars like Doyle involved early before handing over the point guard duties to Crawford.

Across only nine games in NBL25, Macdonald has increased his points per night to 11.2 while also being given the marquee match-up defensively. Expect him to be close to Kendric Davis for most of the night. 

DEPTH CHART
Macdonald / Crawford
Drmic / Steindl
Doyle / Deng
Te Rangi / Hummer
Krslovic / Gak / Woodhill

FINAL WORD
Adelaide will need to be on high alert and locked in at the defensive end against the reigning champions and have been previously this season, holding the JackJumpers to 74 and 77 points.

The 36ers will need to increase their offensive output, having not reached the 80-point barrier against Tasmania so far this season.

A renewed focus on the defensive end has sparked more points for the 36ers last round, eclipsing the 100-point mark both times in Round 15, and another three-figure effort in Hobart will be required for victory.

Adelaide will be keen to continue the recent winning form, and the next test will be to go onto the JackJumpers home court and win for the first time since December 9, 2021.