Beat The Coach: Bullets stars firm as popular picks

The first round of NBL26 is behind us, and there is no shortage of strong options as we move into Round 2 for SuperCoach NBL’s Beat the Coach, presented by Choice Hotels.

Playing two games this weekend, the Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans will leave fans with plenty of strong choices for their teams, but are there some single-game stars that could contribute to a winning formula?

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Double-game choices that speak for themselves:

Tyrell Harrison – Brisbane Bullets ($306,400)
Casey Prather – Brisbane Bullets ($351,400)
Jaylen Adams – Brisbane Bullets ($374,200)
Javon Freeman-Liberty – Brisbane Bullets ($277,000)
Reyne Smith – Cairns Taipans ($69,000)
Jack McVeigh – Cairns Taipans ($235,700)
Admiral Schofield – Cairns Taipans ($277,000)
Kody Stattmann – Cairns Taipans ($70,400)

It’s no mistake that Tyrell Harrison is already the most popular pick so far this week, after his enormous performance against the Breakers on Friday.

Harrison finished with a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double, and came away with 52 SuperCoach points for the game.

With two outings ahead of him this weekend, he’s in for a huge total should that strong form continue.

The same can be said for three other Bullets superstars after a terrific team display.

‍Jaylen Adams and Casey Prather both put in strong single-game performances against the Breakers and will likely carry their form into Round 2, while Javon Freeman-Liberty is the most budget-friendly option of the group.

With his price still sitting under $300,000, Freeman-Liberty will carry plenty of momentum into the weekend off the back of an impressive display, which delivered 41 SuperCoach points.

Despite a disappointing team performance on Saturday, there is still plenty of value in the Taipans lineup as they prepare for two games this weekend.

‍Reyne Smith is a fantastic choice at just $69,000, scoring 26 SuperCoach points with a 19-point, six-rebound effort, while Kody Stattmann contributed nicely too and could also be an effective budget-option with 19 SuperCoach points in his first game of the year.

Jack McVeigh will be a popular pick for coaches this weekend with plenty of potential to improve, after he finished with 21SuperCoach points in a difficult game for the Taipans.

‍Admiral Schofield would also be a strong point of difference for those who decide to go with him this weekend.

It was a slow start for Schofield on Saturday, finishing with just six SuperCoach points, but there were plenty of opportunities throughout the game that he struggled to capitalise on, and he will look to rectify that in the coming weeks.

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Single-game picks that could make all the difference:

Jesse Edwards – Melbourne United ($277,000)
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – Perth Wildcats ($280,300)
Isaac Humphries – Adelaide 36ers ($266,800)
Bryce Cotton – Adelaide 36ers ($452,500)
John Brown III – South East Melbourne Phoenix ($277,000)
Bryce Hamilton – Tasmania JackJumpers ($277,000)
Jaylin Galloway – Sydney Kings ($121,500)

While Tyrell Harrison is by far the most popular centre choice this week, there are a number of other solid options that coaches could consider instead, particularly as their sixth man.

‍Jesse Edwards and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr were both unbelievable in Round 1, with the United big man averaging 36.5 SuperCoach points across two games, and the Wildcats star finishing with 39 of his own.

Lual-Acuil Jr is an especially tempting choice, as the Wildcats come up against the Breakers who struggled in their last game and may still be without Sam Mennenga following his concussion.

Isaac Humphries is another strong option, with the rumoured exit of Montrezl Harrell all but confirming that the 36ers star will start in the centre position and feature heavily for his side.

His new teammate, five-time MVP Bryce Cotton is also definitely one to consider among those playing one game.

$452,500 is quite the hit to the budget, but if his PGT performance against Panathinaikos last weekend is anything to go by, Cotton is ready to replicate the form that we’ve come to see from him year after year.

Both sitting at $277,000, John Brown III and Bryce Hamilton were extremely impressive last weekend.

Brown’s 14 points and six steals saw him finish with 44 SuperCoach points in an outstanding defensive display, while Hamilton averaged 38.5 SuperCoach points across two excellent performances for Tasmania.

Finally, FIBA Asia Cup MVP Jaylin Galloway starred for the Sydney Kings in their PGT game against KK Partizan, finishing with 20 points and six three-pointers.

At just $121,500, he could be a strong option for the budget if his form continues.

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