Preview: Tasmania vs Illawarra (Round 3)

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

After the JackJumpers successfully defended the island against Sydney last week, can the Hawks spoil the party?

Thursday, October 12 at 7:30pm AEDT | MyState Bank Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

Tasmania has become the talk of the NBL following its Round 2 victories over heavyweights Sydney and Melbourne, and NBL legend Derek Rucker has even gone as far as to label them the early team to beat this season.

The JackJumpers are one of six teams to currently sit with a 2-1 record, and percentage sees them currently sit in fourth position on the ladder.

Illawarra got the monkey off the back with its first win of the new season last week, and overcame South East Melbourne in a high-scoring shootout.

Jacob Jackomas has been ensuring the bulk of his players hit the court at some stage over the Hawks’ opening two games, but the win could see him begin to dial into a more traditional rotation as the season progresses.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Monday mood ? <a href="https://t.co/jeJJf8GQ0p">pic.twitter.com/jeJJf8GQ0p</a></p>— Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1711176291322663348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tasmania
80-75 win over Melbourne
70-72 win over Sydney
95-101 loss to Perth

Illawarra
113-106 win over South East Melbourne
80-87 loss to Cairns
110-99 win over Perth

Milton Doyle

While there were plenty of incredible individual displays across the NBL in Round 2, it feels like the positive fallout from the round that was is largely directed at praise for Milton Doyle.

Doyle was named Foot Locker Player of the Game in each of Tasmania’s victories over Sydney and Melbourne, and scored 12 points in the final six minutes of the game to steer the JackJumpers to what, at the time, was an unlikely comeback win against the competition’s last undefeated team.

There seems to be an air of surprise whenever Doyle so effortlessly takes the game by the scruff of the neck and time and time again hammers home the fact he is one of the top players in the NBL.

He may be the very, very early frontrunner for MVP – which must be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage – but don’t get it twisted. Milton Doyle is a force to be reckoned with.

“He reminds me of Leroy Loggins. I know that’s blasphemous in some ways to say that, but he’s got that cool, calm and very talented manner about him. He’s able to inject himself into games, he’s good on both ends and his defence is very underrated. If you watch the types of players he guards in this competition he does a fantastic job, and of course we know he’s a clutch performer.” – Derek Rucker on Moments that Mattered.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milton Doyle came through in the clutch ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackJumpers</a> trailed by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, before Doyle piled on 14 to lead his team to victory ?<br><br>Brought to you by <a href="https://twitter.com/HungryJacksAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HungryJacksAU</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/8SN7TH0T0i">pic.twitter.com/8SN7TH0T0i</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1711302799894667438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

AJ Johnson

With Mason Peatling confirmed to miss a significant chunk of the season with a cheekbone fracture and Hyunjung Lee potentially missing Thursday’s game with illness, two spots have opened up in Illawarra’s rotation against the JackJumpers – and somebody needs to step into the breach.

Next Star AJ Johnson has struggled to string consistent minutes together since suffering a broken nose at the Blitz, but the absence of Peatling could open up some minutes on the wing for him due to Todd Blanchfield’s ability to be shifted to the power forward position.

Should Lee miss the game too, Johnson could climb into his preferred shooting guard/small forward spot and log his first meaningful minutes of the NBL season.

It’s a long season and this could be the first step in Johnson reminding the watching world of his first-round level of talent.

“Johnson has shown enticing self-creation and shot-making skill … teams will consider his age (18) in a pro league, so the highs and flash plays of scoring and playmaking should ultimately outweigh the expected inefficiency.” – Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hyunjung Lee from DEEP ??<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> are tied on 26 points each after the first quarter.<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/h7KWwSPU5X">pic.twitter.com/h7KWwSPU5X</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710549964630212716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jordon Crawford vs Justin Robinson

When they’re up and flying, Jordon Crawford and Justin Robinson are two of the most exciting – and impactful – players to watch in the NBL, and you only need to look as far as each players’ most recent game to come to that conclusion.

Crawford started Sunday’s clash with Melbourne on fire and scored 10 of Tasmania’s first 12 points. While fans may have come in expecting Milton Doyle to take the reins from minute one, Crawford offered a glimpse into why the JackJumpers were so keen to sign him this off-season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JC putting on a show at his home debut! <br><br>? Watch live on ESPN via Foxtel & KAYO Sports <a href="https://t.co/25a214a1UO">pic.twitter.com/25a214a1UO</a></p>— Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1710232678887567848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He may have faded in and out of the game as the contest progressed and Doyle soared, but he’s a potential star of this league.

Robinson, meanwhile, showcased exactly what Illawarra was missing when he was sidelined in NBL23, and has settled into his role running the Hawks’ offence with comfort and vigour.

The Phoenix had no answer for his offence in their high-scoring Round 2 clash. Whether it was scoring or assisting, Robinson proved the difference-maker in a finely balanced game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Don't poke the bear" ?<br><br>Justin Robinson drains back-to-back triples in the fourth ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/zwTLfQS56l">pic.twitter.com/zwTLfQS56l</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710568344431067626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milton Doyle and Tyler Harvey were all too often left to bear too much of an offensive load last season. With Crawford and Robinson thriving alongside them, that’s absolutely no longer the case.

Tasmania has allowed – on average- the fewest fourth quarter points of any team in the NBL this season at 17.7. The JackJumpers restricted Melbourne to just 14 points in the final term in their clash on Sunday.