CROSS OVER DRIBBLE

Photo Credit – As Supplied

4.7 Positions on the Premiership Table Teams are generally classified according to the FIBA Official Rules of Basketball with the following exception.

*If 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of all games in the group, the game(s) between these 2 or more teams shall be used to decide their final ladder positions. If the 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of the games between them, further criteria will be applied in the following order:

(i) Higher goal difference of the games between them

(ii) Higher number of goals scored in the games between them

(iii) Higher goal difference of all games in the group

(iv) Higher number of goals scored in all games in the group.

With that in mind – let’s get into the run home and see where your team in finals contention will likely or could land…

WOMENS

Central Districts Lions (1^st)

Record – 11 wins/3 losses, 121% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Sabres (Away), Rockets (Away), Eagles (Home) and Panthers (Home)

Splits: Sabres -18, Rockets +13 , Eagles +22 and Panthers +28

Prediction: The Lions have one of the toughest draws to finish the season playing all of the current top teams behind them – starting with the Sabres game this coming round. It will free the road up to the top spot to finish the season due to holding comfortable splits over the other three but will need to prevent the Rockets from reversing their previous result. Depending on other results and the Panther’s desperation – they may not need to win the last one to finish first but regardless I think they have proved enough they’ll hold for top spot…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 1st   

North Adelaide Rockets (2^nd)

Record – 11 wins/3 losses, 119% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Eagles (Away), Lions (Home), Bearcats (Away), Tigers (Away)

Splits: Eagles +9, Lions -13, Bearcats +17 and Tigers -12

Prediction: The Rocket’s run is one of intrigue as what they do against the Bearcats and Tigers will impact whether they snare top or finish just behind. Only two percent behind on percentage those two games while wanting to secure wins first and foremost are opportunities to gain some much-needed percentage but will have to make up 26 points on the Lions – it could potentially yield top spot. I’ve got the Rockets tying with the Lions on W/L record then it comes down to splits to see who snares top.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 2nd      

Sturt Sabres (3^rd)

Record – 10 wins/4 losses, 110% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Lions (Home), Warriors (Away), Tigers (Home), Mavericks (Away)

Splits: Lions +18, Warriors +31, Tigers +6 and Mavericks +20

Prediction: The Sabres looked shaky a few rounds ago but the doubleheader wins two rounds ago put them into a strong position. After the Lions this weekend they have three very favourable fixtures in which they hold splits that might not affect their final position. Their split decided to the Rockets will keep them from taking second off the Rockets you’d imagine – but even the last matchup against the Mavericks if you think back to last year was much closer than expected so anything could still happen…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 3rd  

Forestville Eagles (4^th)

Record – 9 wins/5 losses, 116% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Rockets (Home), Warriors (Away), Lions (Away), Bearcats (Home)

Splits: Rockets -9, Warriors +20, Lions -22 and Bearcats +26

Prediction: The Eagles are in the most precarious position in the top five mainly because of their games against the Rockets and Lions on the back of the doubleheader Sunday next week. Then have a fired-up Bearcats keen to upset their run late in the season which could be a win-get-in scenario depending on other results. One win over one of the top two could see things swing the other way in their favour but a loss to either of the Bearcats or Warriors could see them still miss. I think they’ll get in based on other results but the Rockets game this weekend is pivotal…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 5th 

South Adelaide Panthers (5^th)

Record – 9 wins/5 losses, 95% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Warriors (Home), Mavericks (Away), Flames (Home), Lions (Away)

Splits: Warriors +9, Mavericks +14, Flames -6 and Lions +28

Prediction: The Panthers percentage is the concern here as is the split with the Flames that could even see them still miss the five. Getting at least the next two wins gets them to 11 wins and in a good position which I think they’ll do. They then need to prevent the Flames don’t get that split before maybe coming up against a Lions team already secure in a top position. There’s enough going for them to grab a home elimination final or if a few fall in front of them – sneak into the away semi-final position.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 4th 

Southern Tigers (6^th)

Record – 7 wins/7 losses, 103% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Bearcats (Home), Sabres (Away), Mavericks (Home), Rockets (Home)

Splits: Bearcats +8, Sabres -6, Mavericks +48 and Rockets +12

Prediction: The loss to the Flames has put the Tigers in real trouble now. Despite having two wins they should get against the Bearcats and the Mavs – the Sabres game looms the deal breaker. A win here and the split and they get to striking distance of the Eagles, Panthers and Sabres. With them holding a +12 split and maybe already secured in the top two – the Tigers can rattle off a 4-0 run to finish the season claim the split and finish as high as third if results go their way. I think from what we’ve seen this season it could be a long shot though and I think they’ll either just get in or miss completely.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 6th  

Norwood Flames (7^th)

Record – 5 wins/9 losses, 97% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Mavericks (Away), Bearcats (Home), Panthers (Away), Warriors (Home)

Splits: Mavericks +50, Bearcats +12, Panthers -6 and Warriors +30

Prediction: Now this one is the real intriguing one due to the last second win last weekend. Mathematically the Flames are still alive and can finish with a .500 record plus still claim the split over the Panthers. That take them to 9-9 but would need the Eagles and Panthers to lose all four and the Tigers win only one more (as the Tigers still hold the split over the Flames if they tie on the table). Percentage is an issue too with the Tigers about +6 percent better but the Panthers are in range at 95 percent. It seems a lot to do but things can quickly shift in their favour if they are ready to take advantage of it.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 7th

MENS

Forestville Eagles (1^st)

Record – 11 wins/3 losses, 116% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Rockets (Home), Warriors (Home), Lions (Away) and Bearcats (Home)

Splits: Rockets +19, Warriors +31, Lions +18 and Bearcats +8

Prediction: The Eagles are looking strong but a couple of telling matches still might see them miss first place on the table. Big key here is against contenders for the five the Lions and Bearcats they hold the splits but that’s not the concern here – they are down in split against the Panthers (-2) and lost twice to Sabres meaning if they tie they’ll drop down two spots possibly from where they finish – based on what’s upcoming their game against the Lions and Bearcats could determine first to third placing for the finals.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 3rd  

Sturt Sabres (2^nd)

Record – 11 wins/3 losses, 110% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Lions (Home), Warriors (Away), Tigers (Home) and Mavericks (Away)

Splits: Lions +12, Warriors -14, Tigers +6 and Mavericks +14

Prediction: Only the Lions split may matter in the big scheme of things to come – throughout the season the Sabres have done the work to set up. However, the decided splits with the Panthers (-16) and Bearcats (-4) could also shape where they finish but with the chance for four wins they could grab the top spot or at least second. I think the most likely is the inform Lions get them – they win the final two and finish second with the split to the Panthers.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 2nd 

South Adelaide (3^rd)

Record – 11 wins/3 losses, 108% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Warriors (Away), Mavericks (Away), Flames (Home) and Lions (Away)

Splits: Warriors +4, Mavericks +15, Flames -25 and Lions +13

Prediction: The Panthers run looks pretty smooth except the Warriors game this round. Even if they concede to the Lions away in Round 15 it should be enough on splits and results to finish as high as they can up the table. I anticipate even if they tie with a few teams (as it stands heading into this round) they’ll likely finish top two or even top of the table this season.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 1st

Central Districts Lions (4^th)

Record – 8 wins/6 losses, 101% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Sabres (Away), Rockets (Away), Eagles (Away) and Panthers (Home)

Splits: Sabres -12, Rockets -25, Eagles -28 and Panthers -13

Prediction: The final two spots are up for grabs between five teams with the Lions leading the queue. The thing against the Lions is playing three sides ahead of them on the table with only the Sabres and Panthers splits in reach. The Lions do however have the split over the Bearcats (+13) but they need the Bearcats to tie with them to make use of it – as you’ll see below I don’t think that’ll happen but it should remain in the back of the head when calculating the final ladder positions.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 4th

West Adelaide Bearcats (5^th)

Record – 7 wins/7 losses, 107% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Tigers (Away), Flames (Away), Rockets (Home) and Eagles (Away)

Splits: Tigers +5, Flames +26, Rockets +28 and Eagles -8

Prediction: The Bearcats losses to the Lions and Sabres have really set the Bearcat amongst the jungle cats and birds – an eighth win right now would’ve been very handy sometime prior to this round. As it stands they should get the next three against the Tigers, Flames and Rockets but Round 15’s Eagles showdown is the key to the whole top five and where everyone finishes.

The last game of this run for the Bearcats could decide the elimination final or sneak into the semi-final – but they could wreck a lot of the teams around them on their path to the elusive grand final if they land in either of the elimination spots.

But they’ve been living on the edge all year haven’t they…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 5th

Woodville Warriors (6^th)

Record – 7 wins/7 losses, 97% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Panthers (Home), Sabres (Home), Eagles (Away) and Flames (Away)

Splits: Panthers -4, Sabres +14, Eagles -31 and Flames -30

Prediction: The Warriors finals have started early no doubt with a crucial double header where they must at least escape with one of two this weekend in a home doubleheader. The big dent in the campaign to make the final five is the 30-point loss to the Flames and the series to the Bearcats which could be the difference if the others trip up ahead of them. It could all come down to the waiting game with the Warriors playing the Flames two days before the rest of the league plays out their final games – if they achieve a 30-plus point win there could be a very nervous 48-hour wait to find out if they are in or out…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 7th

Norwood Flames (7^th)

Record – 6 wins/8 losses, 98% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Mavericks (Away), Bearcats (Home), Panthers (Away) and Warriors (Home)

Splits: Mavericks -3, Bearcats -26, Panthers +25 and Warriors +30

Prediction: The Flames have made life getting into the five very difficult for themselves in the first half of the season but their flickering faint hopes remain alive if the Warriors, Bearcats and Lions lose enough games to not pass ten wins. The elimination probably arrives this weekend when one of two teams will end each other’s run and that’s their matchup with the Mavs this weekend.

SA Shotclock Prediction: 6th  

Eastern Mavericks (8^th)

Record – 5 wins/9 losses, 90% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Flames (Home), Panthers (Home), Tigers (Away) and Sabres (Home)

Splits: Flames +3, Panthers -15, Tigers -3 and Sabres -14

Prediction: The Mavericks with their first win in eight games are also surprisingly still alive and still are in range of their nearest rivals the Warriors and Flames. Lions and Bearcats series do prove an issue having conceded both of those so similar to the teams above – they’ll need no one to pass eight wins which the Lions already have. It all comes down to seeing what others do but after showing they could win four in a row early in the season who knows if they can be the marvellous Mavericks? All starts with the Flames then we’ll know if they are well and truly back to that…

SA Shotclock Prediction: 8th

SA Shotclock Final Ladder

Womens

Central Districts Lions 14-4 (Series to Lions)
North Adelaide Rockets 14-4 (Series to Lions)
Sturt Sabres 13-5
South Adelaide Panthers 12-6
Forestville Eagles 11-7
Southern Tigers 10-8
Norwood Flames 8-10
West Adelaide Bearcats 4-14
Eastern Mavericks 2-16 (Series to Mavs)
Woodville Warriors 2-16 (Series to Mavs)

Mens

South Adelaide Panthers 15-3
Sturt Sabres 14-4 (Series to Sabres)
Forestville Eagles 14-4 (Series to Sabres)
Central Districts Lions 11 7
West Adelaide Bearcats 10 8
Norwood Flames 8 10
Woodville Warriors 7 11
Eastern Mavericks 5 13
Southern Tigers 3 15 (Series to Tigers)
North Adelaide Rockets 3 15 (Series to Tigers)

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