From benchmark to question marks: What's gone wrong at United?

Through the opening part of the season, Melbourne United were the benchmark, sitting pretty with a 9-0 record.

But since their first loss of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season to Sydney in Round 7, Dean Vickerman's side have gone 6-7, including losing five of their past seven, and lost their momentum.

One of the main reasons for this poor form is their inconsistent offence, which is rated eighth in the NBL (112.8) since Round 7.

This is because United are eighth in field goal percentage (44 per cent), points per possession (1.13) and effective field goal percentage (49.8), while also being second-worst in three point percentage (29.7) during that span.

This trend hasn't gone unnoticed either, with NBL champion Damon Lowery calling it out during Monday's episode of NBL Overtime.

"We've been asking the question for a while, but what is going on Melbourne United?" Lowery said on NBL Overtime.

"They squeaked out the win against Brisbane and could have easily lost that one. They get blown out at home [against Tasmania], which I've never seen that before.

"[Honestly], I can't recall the Melbourne United team getting just blown off the floor at home.

"I feel like Dean [Vickerman] has over tinkered with it and they're now lacking that bite and confidence [that they had at the start of the season]."

An element to United's recent struggles has been the play of Dutch big man Jesse Edwards.

During that nine game win streak to open the campaign, Edwards was being hailed as one of the best big men in the league, averaging 14 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 65.7 per cent from the field.

But since the FIBA Break, Edwards is averaging just 12.2 points and 6 rebounds, on 56 per cent from the field.

While his fouling has played a part in that, NBL champion Pete Hooley said he simply needed to lift.

"Let's have a look at those recent performances to really highlight where he [Edwards] is at," Hooley said.

"The minutes is one thing, where he is going to have to learn to play through that, because we know he's a whole lot better than [what he's showing].

"[Some of his recent games] have been completely acceptable but honestly, there's no one in the paint who can really guard him and I don't think we're seeing the best of him right now."

Edwards and his United outfit will look to build on their recent win over Brisbane, when they travel to MyState Bank Arena on Saturday to face the JackJumpers from 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN.