THE CHAMPIONSHIP aspirations of the Tasmania JackJumpers will be on the line when they take on the ladder-leading Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre in tonight’s National Basketball League (NBL) action.

The JackJumpers currently sit outside the top six, putting their title defence is in serious doubt, with their quest to even make the postseason proving much more difficult as time has gone on. Now, the one-time champs come up against the best team in it this season, and will need to pull off a serious upset without some key cogs.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs. Illawarra Hawks

Thursday, January 30 @7:30pm
MyState Bank Arena

THE TEAMS

The JackJumpers looked back in form this time six weeks ago, before injuries to Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald halted their string of wins. Since the start of January, Tasmania has not looked like the same team that looked a genuine threat to the ultimate prize, and has since slid out of the top six, with the Adelaide 36ers taking that spot and looking extremely likely to steal the JackJumpers’ position in the play-in, so a win tonight is essential.

The Hawks have been the best team in it all season long, and are storming towards a home semi-final in the coming weeks. They sit atop the standings with 17 wins and nine losses to their name, but Melbourne United are hot on their heels, and could steal top position in the final fortnight. In worrying signs in recent weeks, the Hawks have fallen to the 10th-placed Cairns Taipans, so they are gettable for lower-ranked sides, but their best is still too good for their nine opponents.

LAST TIME THEY MET

These two sides clashed just three weeks ago, with the Hawks emerging five-point winners in a thrilling contest at WIN Entertainment Centre. The home side dominated the first half, leading by 13 at the main change, before the JackJumpers made a game of it with an 18-7 run, but Illawarra simply had too many contributors down the stretch and ended its two-game losing streak.

KEY PLAYERS

There are few players more important to their side than Milton Doyle is to Tasmania, but the guard is not having his best season. The import has the capability to tear matches apart with his shotmaking, particularly in isolation and off the dribble, but efficiency has been a real issue. If he can find his groove early and go for 25+ points in this clash, it will provide a huge boost to Tassie’s chances.

One of the biggest strengths for the Hawks this season has been the lift in form by big man Sam Froling, who is enjoying a career-best campaign. Having played in the NBL for five and a half years, he is now starting to tap into his potential after stagnating over the past couple of seasons. When he is in form, his effectiveness in pick and rolls make him a dangerous prospect on the offensive end, and with Tasmania struggling for size, it is the perfect opportunity for the forward to make a mark.