JackJumpers: 'Focus on us'

Tasmania head coach Scott Roth has revealed the JackJumpers are prioritising themselves and their own plans ahead of Wednesday’s Seeding Qualifier matchup with the Illawarra Hawks.

The JackJumpers will play the game at a more than likely sold-out MyState Bank Arena courtesy of finishing third on the ladder, which has afforded the NBL22 Championship Series contenders home-court advantage in the fixture.

The winner of Wednesday’s clash will progress to a Playoff Series against the Perth Wildcats, while the losers will face the winner of the Play-In Qualifier in the sudden death clash.

“We probably spend 70 per cent of our time worrying about ourselves over the season,” Roth told SEN.

“In these Playoffs, the league is very small so there’s not a lot of difficulty in getting information and scouting and our guys know their players quite well, so it’s really about us trying to execute things we’ve been trying to build on and improve on over the course of the season, and stay away from some of the demons that have crept up in the past on us and focus on ourselves for the most part.

“Yes, we do some game planning, but it’s not overly critical as far as our thought process with them, it’s more about us.”

Tasmania is the only team to have finished in the top four on the ladder in each of the last three seasons, which is a feat that is made all the more impressive given they’ve only contested three seasons in the NBL.

This season’s side is being hailed as genuine title contenders, and the JackJumpers were one of only three teams to finish the regular season with a positive record.

Roth says while he believes the first ever JackJumpers team is still the benchmark, he thinks anyone can win this season’s title.

“I would say our first year was our best year, and until that team gets beaten as far as getting into the Grand Finals, I don’t think you can compare it. They won 17 games, they were expected to win only five. The first year’s team, for me, really has set the bar quite high for everyone,” he said.

“This team has done very well, there’s a lot of good components to this team that are Championship quality to components, whether or not we can get it done this year – I do believe any one of these six teams are able to win the Championship.

“I think there’s a lot of parity and I don’t think home court is going to be a big factor when all is said and done. The parity gives you excitement because there’s not one – in my opinion – super dominant team. Melbourne has played very well, but I think everyone is very beatable this year.”

The JackJumpers could be buoyed by the return of Majok Deng for the Play-In Qualifier. The former Taipan has been sidelined with an ankle injury since his side’s Round 12 defeat to South East Melbourne.

Since his last game Tasmania acquired former King and Breaker Tom Vodanovich and released Junior Madut, in a move that has strengthened Roth’s frontcourt options.

He says Deng is fit to play, but his role in Wednesday’s clash is still yet to be determined.

“I think it’s going to be see how the game goes, I will try to get him (Deng) out there, and Vodanovich has been gone for about eight days now with his national team, New Zealand,” Roth continued.

“I’m very comfortable with Fab (Krslovic) playing the four as well, I want to see how I can get him (Deng) out there, he’s had a few days of practice, but there’s still some rust on him as far of just timing and playing.

“When you’re out 8-10 weeks it’s very hard to come back in three or four days and get to the level – especially the Playoff level – and these guys have been performing week in and week out. We’ll try and get him out there and see what he can do in some short stints.”

Tasmania’s clash with Illawarra will tip off at 5:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.