Preview: Tasmania vs Sydney (Round 2)

Thursday, October 5, 2023

One of the NBL’s great modern rivalries will add a new chapter on Friday night.

Friday, October 6 at 7:30pm AEDT at MyState Bank Arena

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

One of the NBL’s great modern rivalries will add a new chapter on Friday night, and although two of the biggest figures from past battles between these teams – Chase Buford and DJ Vasiljevic – aren’t involved this time, clashes between Tasmania and Sydney never fail to produce fireworks.

The adding of fuel to the fire has been subjectively muted this time around, with Kings CEO Chris Pongrass even praising the loud and raucous environment JackJumpers fans create in MyState Bank Arena.

The JackJumpers were uncharacteristically leaky on the defensive end in their Round 1 defeat against Perth. They allowed Jordan Usher to do whatever he wanted for the Wildcats, and the first-year import ended the game with 35 points – the most ever for a Perth player on debut.

Sydney, on the other hand, started their season with a convincing win over Illawarra despite missing star recruit DJ Hogg. The Kings’ strength in depth once again showed with Kouat Noi and Jaylin Galloway putting the Hawks to the sword at either end of the floor.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??????? ??? ? ?????-???? ?<br><br>Kings co-owner and special advisor Luc Longley discusses how special a third straight title would be for the club, while also examining Sydney’s new squad ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheKings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheKings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdLlbjsf5l">pic.twitter.com/tdLlbjsf5l</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1707655366614684041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tasmania
95-101 loss to Perth

Sydney
96-81 win over Illawarra

Jack McVeigh

It may have taken him a while to get going against Perth, but Jack McVeigh’s 15 points in the fourth quarter helped drag the JackJumpers back into the contest against the Wildcats, and offered a stark reminder of just how good the former 36er can be when presented just a little bit of space.

He finished the game with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists, and after coming back from an off-season stint in Germany the final quarter against Perth offered an indication that he’s ready to take his game to the next level.

McVeigh has aspirations to pull on the green and gold, nor have the JackJumpers been shy about how important he is to the program both on and off the floor.

If he can put on a full four-quarter offensive performance against Tasmania’s biggest rivals, the Kings may struggle to contain him.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milestone appreciation ?<br><br>In tonight's game Anthony Drmic celebrates his 200th NBL game, with Jack McVeigh celebrating his 150th NBL game! ?<br><br>? TUNE IN FROM 9:30PM AEST ON ESPN ?? KAYO | FOXTEL <a href="https://t.co/YsBpvt2u0H">pic.twitter.com/YsBpvt2u0H</a></p>— Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1707575331186786722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kouat Noi

Kouat Noi has never been shy about stating how strong his own self belief is and, to his credit, he continues to prove himself as a game-changing NBL talent.

After he exploded for a game-high 23 points from just 10 shots against Illawarra in Round 1, Noi stated his desire to be named as the NBL’s Best Sixth Man, and considering he will likely continue his bench role once DJ Hogg returns, that lofty statement certainly isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Although Noi is most comfortable playing at the power forward position, Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah stated his pleasure at how he conducted himself playing as a small ball five against the Hawks.

One thing’s for sure, when Noi plays like he did against Illawarra, Sydney become a hard team to stop.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kouat Noi is making it rain from deep ?<br><br>He's hit a trio of triples in the first half ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/urCfPK4v0d">pic.twitter.com/urCfPK4v0d</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708071250285806041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milton Doyle vs Jaylin Galloway

One of the NBL’s best offensive players against one of the proclaimed top defenders in the NBL – when Jaylin Galloway inevitably switches onto Milton Doyle at some point in Friday’s game, get ready for fireworks.

The versatility of Sydney’s defence makes it unlikely Doyle will be given a full game to target one specific Kings player – they’ll be trying to stop the All-NBL First Team nominee by committee.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah has ??? praise for emerging star Jaylin Galloway ?<br><br>You can watch every post-match press conference from tonight's action on the NBL app ? <a href="https://t.co/W1OHBfRwqD">pic.twitter.com/W1OHBfRwqD</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708104003014590598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The most interesting part about this matchup though is if and when Doyle is forced to match up on Galloway at the other end, he’ll have to stay defensively accountable. Galloway made the most of his opportunities against Illawarra and quietly added an impressive 18 points.

There’s some pressure on Galloway to perform this weekend after coach Abdelfattah’s post-game comments last week. If someone labels you the best defensive player in the NBL you’d best back it up – and a looming battle with one of the best offensive players in the NBL is the greatest spot to prove that.

Despite the fiery rivalry that has eventuated between these two sides, Sydney has been getting the better of the JackJumpers more often than not. The Kings have won six of the last seven games between the two sides – Tasmania’s only win in that time can in Round 10 last season, when 25 points from Milton Doyle led them to victory.

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Milton Doyle shoots over Sydney's Jordan Hunter during NBL23.