Basketball On The Internet.

HOW the mighty have fallen! Defending champion Perth Wildcats have tumbled to our #6 ranking after a road loss and a home debacle last round. And this week doesn't look any easier.

Hosting league-leading Sydney, then hitting the road to take on a smarting South East Melbourne, are hardly the ideal fixtures to follow last round's setbacks.

The 36ers looked sharp in despatching Perth and jump to the #2 ranking, something United can have a serious say in this weekend.

The spotlight falls on Cairns now. Can it give us the consistency to draw it into genuine Final Four calculations?

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (8) HAWKS 3-9: Floundering and searching schedule for next game against Cairns.

8 (9) BREAKERS 3-8: Two games against Qld pair could resurrect post-season dreams.

7 (6) BULLETS 5-7: Hawks/Breakers should be two wins if this team is to be taken seriously.

6 (3) WILDCATS 8-5: Twin losses last round, with leader Sydney and SEM next. Flailing.

5 (7) TAIPANS 5-7: On the move and must split at worst this round to keep momentum.

4 (5) PHOENIX 6-5: Chance to reek revenge on battling Perth for earlier road humiliation.

3 (2) UNITED 7-6: Six-win streak was hammered last round and need to clamp Adelaide.

2 (4) 36ERS 6-6: Making their move and United's road scalp would be massive massive get.

1 (1) KINGS 11-1: Only complacency can scuttle Sydney, Perth-Cairns a winnable double.

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THERE was precious little movement in our WNBL rankings this week, with only Sydney and Bendigo flip-flopping after the Flames beat the Spirit last round.

This round has a lot more excitement and potential for teams. Townsville can move out of the bomb shelter, Perth could make a run at the Four, Adelaide could consolidate or capitulate, Melbourne could make a statement.

Round 8 has a lot going for it.

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (8) FIRE 1-7: The season is shot to hell but beating Bendigo is well within reach.

7 (6) SPIRIT 2-7: Host Caps in Ballarat, then off to Townsville. It looks horrific.

6 (7) FLAMES 3-7: Host Adelaide in NBL double-header and will thrive on crowds's support.

5 (5) LYNX 3-6: Season-defining trips to Adelaide and Melbourne. It's all or nothing.

4 (4) LIGHTNING 4-4: Home/away wins this round would possibly seal the Final Four.

3 (3) BOOMERS 7-2: Should get a split at worst from Southside/Perth double.

2 (2) FLYERS 9-1: Doomsday Double success will buoy Southside for derby contest.

1 (1) CAPITALS 7-2: Is Ballarat colder than Canberra? Not that Caps will care. Easy win.

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GUESS THE PLAYER...

LAST WEEK:

Maddison Allen (Madison Square Garden / Alan Alda)