THE Big V Men’s competition is back again, with the upcoming weekend seeing the eighth round of play on the schedule. It has been a terrific opening seven weeks, with scoring at an all-time high as offence from all sides firing in the first two months. There looks to be no slowing down either, with four blockbuster clashes on the cards for the weekend.

One of the most intriguing and important matchups will see the Hume Broncos take on the Sunbury Jets at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium on Saturday night. Both sides are among the contenders for the season, although the Jets are enjoying a better start than their opponents. With the bottom of the top-four still up for dispute, the game looms as crucial for the Broncos, who are only in the upper echelon of the ladder based on percentage. However, they face a tough task against a seriously in-form Sunbury side.

Hume Broncos vs Sunbury Jets
Saturday, May 14, 7:30pm
Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium

The Broncos have been decent to start the season, breaking even from their first eight games with four wins and four losses. They have a tough test of character on the weekend, given the strength of opposition they will be facing. But their best has proven to be enough throughout the 2022 season, but it will have to be their best outing of the year given how well the Jets are going. Hume was just bested by the Blackburn Vikings last weekend in overtime, so redemption will be on the cards, and will add extra motivation to an already massive encounter. Chris Elder has led the way from an offensive standpoint all season, constantly providing a bucket whenever needed. If the Broncos are going to get the job done, he will need to play a significant role.

The Jets have been seriously good to start the year, producing seven wins from their eight games and sitting comfortably in second spot, behind only an undefeated Wyndham side. There is a lot to like about how they go about it, and will come into Saturday’s game as the favoured team. However, there is no such thing as a guaranteed win, and the Broncos have been solid in their 2022 campaign, so expect Sunbury to still bring its best. Fresh off a 20-point triumph last week, they will have a fair bit of momentum behind them. If Ishmael Sanders can back up his 32-point outing from Round 7, then it might prove too much for the opposition defence to handle.

Across the courts:

With three other games on the cards for Round 8, there will be plenty for basketball fans to enjoy around Victorian basketball courts on Saturday night.

McKinnon vs Camberwell, 7pm, GESAC
Blackburn vs Wyndham, 7pm, Mullum Mullum Stadium
Chelsea vs Western Port, 8pm, Patterson River Stadiu,