Ignite Cup homecoming excites Next Star

A passionate address to his players has buried any thoughts that Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman isn't taking the Ignite Cup seriously.

Seen by critics as a gimmick, the overall success or otherwise of the new NBL in-season tournament remains a point of contention.

Vickerman admits it took time for the concept to fully win him over, as he was initially far more concerned with regular-season ramifications of the dual-purpose fixtures.

And the three-time championship coach is desperate to arrest a worrying slide in which United (15-8) have dropped six of their past eight games.

But he also now has Ignite Cup history on his radar, eager to qualify for the Gold Coast final and win the first edition - which carries a $400,000 prize.

Vickerman's feelings were laid bare after Monday's training session, when he implored his players to take a quarter-by-quarter approach to their remaining Ignite Cup fixtures in pursuit of valuable bonus points.

"There's a chance for us with two games to go," Vickerman told reporters soon afterwards.

"I've really pushed the message to the boys that let's have a real crack.

"We play Cairns and Brisbane in those two games, and we've got a chance to go and win some quarters."

Melbourne are taking those home games to Bendigo, with John Cain Arena in tennis mode for the Australian Open.

The clash with last-placed Cairns on Wednesday night marks a homecoming for local product and NBA first-round draft prospect Dash Daniels.

The 18-year-old guard will relish the chance to play at Red Energy Arena, where his father Ricky's retired Bendigo Braves No.23 singlet hangs from the rafters.

"The Daniels factor - Dash going home - just puts that extra bit of incentive to go and play really well up there," Vickerman said.

"We have good memories from the COVID period of playing games with crowds up there, so we're looking forward to it."

Dash Daniels is a $87,400 guard in the NBL’s official fantasy game, Beat The Coach, presented by Choice Hotels. Take on Damon Lowery and Beat the Coach in any round of the NBL26 Season and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-season $10,000 prize draw, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in Choice Hotels™ gift vouchers. Sign up to play now here.

Daniels faces the prospect of another battle with Cairns import Andrew Andrews and is likely to also spend time guarding Taipans linchpin Jack McVeigh.

"He's a versatile defender," Vickerman said.

"Do we put him on Andrew Andrews at point-guard, which we did last time we played them?

"McVeigh is playing some three; does he get some opportunities to do that?

"There's a lot of different guys that we can put him on and he's been up for the challenge of guarding the best guards in the league."

Daniels organised some 20 tickets for family and friends to witness his first appearance as a professional player in his hometown, in the same year he will likely earn a dream move to the NBA.

"I'm super excited," Daniels said.

"It will be good to get out there and see the home fans, see my friends and family.

"It's been hard, we've lost a couple of games, but it (the team's approach) is just 'next game'. We've got to step up."