Beware the march after opening success

Adelaide 36ers continue their NBL Blitz campaign in Darwin tonight against NBL22 Grand Finalists, Tasmania JackJumpers.

Both sides are coming off wins in their opening NBL Blitz battles, the JackJumpers super-impressive final quarter handing them a 73-53 success against reigning champion Sydney Kings on Saturday, while Adelaide at times looked supreme in their 84-76 win against South East Melbourne.

Tasmania, however, will be a totally different proposition for the 36ers and Scot Roth’s retooled import duo of Milton Doyle and Rashard Kelly will give CJ Bruton’s side some headaches.

THE KEY
With a number of import changes across the league, Tasmania were able to retain point guard Josh Magette.

Magette was a key piece to the JackJumpers’ rapid rise to the Grand Final series in NBL22 and to have his knowledge return to the Apple Isle as the floor general is a massive bonus for head coach Scott Roth.

The 185cm point guard averaged 12.18 points and 5.89 assists per contest in NBL22 and he will be a vital player for Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton to shut down tonight.

Expect captain Mitch McCarron to get the first assignment to limit Magette’s influence, but don’t be surprised if Bruton throws a number of guards at the JackJumpers pilot, including Sunday Dech, Craig Randall II and even Antonius Cleveland.

THE SECRET
After losing megastar Josh Adams in the off-season to Slovenian club Cedevita Olimpija, the challenge for Roth and his recruitment team was to find a ‘like-for-like’ replacement and Tasmania think they have their man in Milton Doyle.

Doyle, a 193cm combo guard from Gaziantep Basketbol in Turkey, has the license to do whatever Tasmania need at either end of the floor.

“Milton has proven to be a really unselfish player who really embraces the team-first mentality and plays to his own and his teammate’s strengths. He’s often been the ‘glue’ guy that connects the team together,” JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse said after Doyle’s signing.

Doyle, who took over against the Kings for 13 points, will be having to deal with reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Cleveland for a lot of the game tonight, which is a match-up worth admission alone.

THE FINAL WORD
Injury has stalled Tasmania’s second NBL pre-season with star big man Will Magnay still recovering from an ongoing knee complaint, while sharpshooter Clint Steindl will miss the first part of NBL23 with a shin injury he picked up playing for the Australian Boomers,

Expect a full-strength Adelaide side to be up the floor to put pressure on Magette and Doyle, while Daniel Johnson, Robert Franks and the 36ers frontcourt will look to punish Tasmania inside without the influence of Magnay, but will have to be wary of Kelly, who could surprise.

Former 36er Jack McVeigh will again spark the JackJumpers, his 16 points off the bench against the Kings a real highlight and he always loves the challenge against his former teammates.

THE MATCH
Adelaide 36ers vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Marrara Indoor Stadium
Monday, September 19, 5pm
Watch LIVE on Kayo Freebies

DEPTH CHART
PG: Magette* | Weeks | McDonald
SG: Doyle* | Kenyon | White | Brown
SF: Kelly* | McDaniel | Steindl (inj.)
PF: Bairstow | McVeigh 
C: Krslovic | Forsyth | Tomasi | Magnay (inj.)