Author: Tristan Prentice

Defusing WMDW: Will McDowell-White has been a key architect of the Breakers at both ends of the floor - he must be stopped by McCarron - Photo credit to stuff.co.NZ 

3-Minute Read

NBL ROUND 5

Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers

When: 7:00pm (ACDT), Friday 28 October

Where:  Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au

SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY

Round 21 2009: Maher stamps himself literally into 36ers History

This one was probably the most memorable 36ers match against the New Zealand Breakers barring that club’s first NBL game many seasons ago. The night had all the fanfare and farewell of a club legend with the court the superstar 36ers point guard Brett Maher had graced for many years being unveiled as his very own, the Brett Maher Court.

The most famous story of the night was not the 17pts he dropped in his final game as Adelaide outlasted the Breakers 102-91 but it was the NBA distance shot that brought the house down that sealed the match in his final home game for the 36ers. This shot wrote history so much that the Brett Maher Court insignia unveiled on the night was simply replaced in emphatic sentimentality with the signature of the great champion in the very spot he knocked down that shot.

Key Matchups

Mitch McCarron vs Will McDowell-White    

Two absolute stat sheet stuffers will go head to head likely to set their teams up. McCarron is in the top 25 for rebounds (#14 with 6.3) and assists (#21 with 3.3) and has nearly notched up a triple double in every game so far this season.

The improvement in WMDW has been seen and the numbers don’t lie. He has already career high average in rebounds (6) and is in the top ten for assists in the competition with 4.5 while also adding 8.8 per game.

Robert Franks vs Dererk Pardon

You feel its a big game for Franks tonight… we’ve seen the glimpses but tonight he needs to provide some more inside touches and paint presence for the Sixers. He’s averaging 14.3 per game which is healthy but he can also up that by taking it closer to the basket and cause some defensive problems for his likely opponent Pardon.

You’d be excused for not knowing who Pardon is but hopefully if you’ve been watching the Breakers – you do now. He’s top ten in the league for rebounds (7.3) and already adding 11.2 points at a top ten high of 75.2 percent. The accuracy and efficiency of the Cleveland born forward who plays bigger than his size is a dangerous commodity for the Kiwi based side.

Hyrum Harris vs Cameron Gliddon

Harris has brought the impact to the floor for the Sixers everytime he’s taken court. CJ’s spark plug has been used in a vein similar to early 2010s Mitch Creek to inject some enthusiasm and punch on both ends of the floor and at different times. Look for him to impact the same way again in limited minutes.

I don’t even need to look at the stats to tell you the number of Sixer fans that know how much Cam has hurt us. He always has a way of putting those dagger triples in on us and with so many coverages of other players like Brown Jnr, WMDW, Brantley, Rupert just to name a few – his name shouldn’t go to far from the scouting sheet as he’s had a history of hurting the city of churches in big moments.  

THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON

When does the lid come off Adelaide’s championship credentials after downing the champions last weekend?  

Its too early and as we saw with the Phoenix knocking off the Breakers at home – anybody can get you on their given night. The Sixers however are showing the depth and personnel required to challenge strongly for the finals – I’m just not ready to declare them a contender just yet considering how even the league is right now.

Loe, Le’Afa, Vodanovich and WMDW have all started this season in career best form – is that a coach or players finding their role thing?  

Its a bit of all pieces of the pie – the combination of players refreshed and returning to home after being on the road so long since the start of the pandemic and a coach that channels his emotion into their play. Overall its a wonderful combination and gives you the warm fuzzies that they are playing as well as they are.

Defence against each other has been a problem in the past so who are the key players in setting the tone for their sides?    

McCarron and Cleveland for Adelaide and Le’afa and Barry Brown Jnr – these guys are elite in this area.

So who wins?

Both teams are in strong form heading into this one but if Adelaide are going to be taken seriously they need to win these games against rising contenders at home and start to build the fortress in the City of Churches.

COD Prediction: 36ers by 4 points

Catch all the action tonight at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home

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Like Bryce?: Its early but are the signs foreshadowing Craig Randall II following the path of the import king? - Photo credit to Adelaide 36ers

4-Minute Read

The Cross-Over-Dribble Dossier

Adelaide 36ers vs. Tasmania Jack-Jumpers

The Rundown

Lag, looseness and lack of energy from the opening tip as Tassie put on a 0-9 run through Magette and Doyle – from there the Sixers clearly while fit enough to run out the forty minutes were not able to execute or connect.

What the numbers said

In a strange twist to opening games for the Sixers – it was the imports that led the scoring overall with 42 of their 72 points – thats the most in a debut game since the three import rule returned in 2016/17 when they got 29 points out of Jacob Wiley, Adris Deleon and Ramone Moore in their opening game of 2018/2019.

The Sixers had 16 turnovers and gave up 24 points to their opposition – compounding that was just two fast break point for the entire match.

What the coach said

“There was a little bit of disconnect and mindset and approach,” CJ Bruton said.

Adelaide 36ers 72 (Randall 18, Franks 14, Cleveland 10, Dech 8) defeated by Tasmania JackJumpers 97 (Magette 23, Kelly 19, Doyle 16, McVeigh 12, Weeks 11, White 9) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks

The Rundown

The perfect way to correct the compass was for the 36ers to break the Hawks six game winning streak over them. It was former Hawk Cleveland and Captain McCarron that set the tone from the start. When challenged Adelaide found a way to lodge their first win of the season.

What the numbers said

The Sixers started the opening quarter with five fast break points to signal their intention early. The numbers that increased from game one though were +9 in fast break points, +8 in points from turnovers and shot 58.3 percent inside the paint – that was +4.8 up.

McCarron had another sensational night with 8 points, 8 rebounds including 3 offensive rebounds and 3 assists – he’ll need some consideration in some future Cal Bruton medal voting at my end.

The biggest statistic that did matter that was seen came from Craig Randall II. On 11 points at three quarter time with 2/7 from beyond the arc, he finished with 28 points with 6/13 – thats a last quarter of 17 points with 4/6 beyond.

He stayed patient – waited for his moment then struck hard…

What the coach said

“I have so much talent on my bench, you haven’t seen Kyrin Galloway yet, you haven’t seen much of Kai, or Hyrum Harris and Sunday (Dech) didn’t play much tonight either.

“But being able to have the depth allows teams to win championships and you are going to need it throughout the season.”

Adelaide 36ers 90 (Randall 28, Cleveland, Franks 16, Johnson 10, Drmic 9, McCarron 8) defeated Illawarra Hawks 80 (Deng 18, Harvey 16, Froling 12, Dent 11, Coenraad, King 8) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers

The Rundown

A real quality game of basketball from both sides with plenty of drama pre and post game and showed both sides may be up there contending at the other end. What was really pleasing was the Sixers ability to stay mostly composed (the last play may have left a little to be desired) and find the right shot at the key moment.

I could see the similarities again Randall showed to the reigning import of the league – and thats particularly exciting…

What the numbers said

All numbers were extremely even across the board which if you watched the game was no surprise except one set – The Sixers shot 14/35 from beyond the arc compared to the the Kings 6/28.

Potentially this might have been the difference especially with 0-4 coming to Adelaide’s favour in the last quarter.

Its a 4.2 percent increase already this season in shooting percentage from the perimeter – a change in previous Sixers execution of offence.

What the coach said

“I keep reminding my players that every minute you’re out there to give us your best because we have guys who haven’t touched the floor yet and when they do, they’ll be ready.”

“This is our first road win, we have two wins in a row now, so we are ticking boxes, so we are setting goals now for our team, that’s where I’m at.

“As for the outside noise, that’s for you guys to keep talking and to keep building that up.”

Sydney Kings 88 (Walton Jnr 23, Vasiljevic 15, Noi, Simon 12, Cooks 9) defeated by Adelaide 36ers 92 (Randall 24, Johnson 17, Cleveland, McCarron 15, Franks 13) at Qudos Bank Arena

Catch all the action Friday night as the 36ers take on the New Zealand Breakers at the AEC on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home

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Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details

Defend like Drmic: The disconnect as Bruton described in the post match press conference was evident - The Sixers will need the energy and execution at the defensive end like Drmic provided on Thursday night - Photo credit to Adelaide 36ers vs twitter (Anthony Drmic)

4-Minute Read

NBL ROUND 3

Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks

When: 5:00pm (ACST), Saturday October 15

Where:  Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au

SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY

Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks Semi-Final 1 (NBL 2016/17)

Randle rolls Hawks as 36ers make statement

Hawks coach Rob Beveridge lamented his sides ability to not control the rebound count after quarter time. “We got smashed, you can’t win games of basketball if you don’t rebound, it’s hard to compete against the team that gets on the offensive glass” explained about this game

Jerome Randle had averaged 13 points per game against the Hawks that season but doubled that with a match winning performance as Adelaide took game one of the series, 93-78. In his first final in the NBL, Randle notched up 26 points and showed exactly why he was named the NBL MVP that season.

The Sixers were down 17-11 early but it was Randle with 7 points and Drmic who brought the 36ers back into the game at the offensive and defensive end. Drmic then brought the crowd to its feet by hitting the quarter time three-point buzzer beater, but the Hawks held sway up 27-24.

Nathan Sobey exploded the roof off the arena with a huge three and coast to coast contested layup to open the second with the 36ers on an 8-0 run and Sobey with eight for the quarter giving him 14 in the match. The crowd played the sixth man role beautifully shouting out where the shooters were on the floor and raised Sobey up a few rungs with a monster block on Nick Kay’s dunk attempt from behind. The 36ers went up 52-42 at the break reassuming dominance of the glass 25-22.

Even the clock couldn’t play defence on Randle as he beat it with a long-range triple and the 36ers constantly found the front position on the rebounds – the 36ers on a 12-5 run. The Hawks swung the momentum through import guard Rotnei Clarke and Tim Coenraad with long range bombs helped the Hawks claw their way back into it 73-65 at three quarter time in favour of the 36ers.

Adelaide continued with their post quarter time domination of the offensive
glass through Hodgson and Creek while turnovers were killing the Hawks and Coenraad looked like he’d dried up. DJ took over the last few minutes scoring wise shaking off his bug during the week as Adelaide took game one 93-78 in the semi-final series.

Adelaide 36ers 93 (Randle 26, Sobey, Johnson 16, Creek 11) defeated by Illawarra Hawks 78 (Coenraad 26, Clarke, Harris 10) at Titanium Security Arena

Key Matchups

Craig Randall II vs Wani Swaka Lo Buluk    

Randall started his Sixers NBL stint reasonably well but the 18 points did mask some deficiencies in the defensive end – it magnified the issues for the Sixers overall at the end of the floor. He needs to start at the defensive end with his game tonight and then let the rest of his game come to him.

One of the best defensive players in the league will likely see plenty of time on Randall trying to make his second outing very difficult indeed. Swaka Lo Buluk’s numbers overall have gone up after his breakout season with Sydney.

Antonius Cleveland vs George King

Cleveland looked so good when he penetrated to the rim on Thursday night – it was far few and between in on-ball actions on my watch. More of that will be needed tonight to create problems at both ends of the floor.

King must not be allowed space on the arc early otherwise we’ll see a repeat of Thursday night. The assignment will likely go to Cleveland to curb his former club’s replacement already shooting 57.9 percent with 11 of 19 for the season.

Anthony Drmic vs Alex Mudronja

When the Sixers needed a lift in intensity – the former provider of spark brought it. He was +11 when on the floor and if the starting five aren’t getting it done early – I’ve no doubt Bruton will call his name first to correct the defensive compass.

Mudronja will likely see some minutes against his former side and he’ll be keen to prove what his team let go. The back-up point guard minutes will be crucial if Harvey and co strike some foul trouble through the match – it may fall to him but as we’ve seen with his game; he’s capable of taking the next step.  

THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON

Did Kai Sotto not have enough minutes considering DJ wasn’t fully 100 percent?  

The thought certainly crossed my mind… It took till halfway through the third quarter for CJ to pull the trigger on getting Sotto in. It was potentially a mis-match in the Sixers favour but the JackJumpers were probably too mobile for him at the defensive end. This match has better matchups in Deng, Mathiang and Gak to come up against.

What’s the Hawks plan B when Tyler Harvey isn’t finding points?  

Another DP is shining for the Hawks in Dent and King dropped some big bombs from deep but getting it done by committee seems to be how they are doing it. If the Sixers can stop Harvey – then it forces that question to be explored further.

Who has to set the tone more at the defensive end for the starting five?    

Randall has to set the tone! The noise around his body language during the opener has been vigorously defended by Bruton but you can see the guy just wants to do better. He can do that with some tight guarding and athletic rim and passing lane protection and then watch the rain drop at the offensive end as the prize.

So who wins?

A nervy start and clearly some “jet-lag” kind of affected maybe not the fitness but the concentration and the execution at both ends Thursday. The Hawks have already done some jet setting of their own going to Perth but will not fear coming to Adelaide considering their recent record against the Sixers of 6-0. I feel the home-side tonight though will be better prepared, come out on top and break the streak to get their season underway – otherwise more questions will likely be raised.

COD Prediction: 36ers by 10 points

Catch all the action tonight at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home

Cluch Radio

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details