Basketball On The Internet.

DON'T be alarmed if you miss Melbourne hosting WNBL leader Townsville tonight to  tip off Round 11. They play again at the same venue on Saturday. Nothing new there. Townsville played Perth on December 31 in Townsville. Then again at the same venue on January 3. Yes, we believe we have located the culprit behind the scheduling.

While it is a ridiculous expectation of both the teams, ownerships and fans to be able to put their best feet forward in such circumstances, it remains sadly typical of the WNBL.

Melbourne is 1-0 on Townsville after shocking the Fire on the road. But Sami Whitcomb was absent from that game and now the entire three-game season-series between these clubs wraps up this round.

Fair? No.

Ridiculous? Yes.

All it would take is for one key player from either side to get hurt and their second game of the weekend might determine both clubs' top-two aspirations. Or fly home between games, then straight back. Or have your club pay for several extra nights of accommodation. All clubs are doing so well that neither scenario would be an imposition, right?

Ah well. As they like to say these days, it is what it is. (It just didn't have to be.) Sigh.

ROUND 11 TIPS
Bendigo has let too many home games slip and needs Lightning in a bottle.
Melbourne is 1-0 on Townsville but that should be even after this showdown.
Perth escaped the Caps at home. On the road? Canberra sneaks it this time.
The Southside-Sydney loser is in deep doggy-do, so maybe the Flyers at home.
Melbourne-Townsville Take II (III?) The Boomers make the adjustments to win.
Sydney beating Perth is a critical win with the Lynx owning the series already.
The battle to avoid the (car) boot. Bendigo at home pips Canberra in a ripper. 

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 10
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               1        Townsville (11-3) Travelling smoothly, revenge on their mind.
  2               4        Perth (9-5) Pivotal round, a 2-0 return virtually sealing finals.
  3               6        Melbourne (9-5) Back from (near) dead, must split Fire double.
  4               7        Canberra (3-9) It's coming together with 2 more winnable games.
  5               8        Adelaide (4-11) Regular giant-killers but less so against minnows.
  6               3        Sydney (7-7) A split is the least Flames can aim for this round.
  7               2        Southside (7-6) In a slump but Sydney win is the way out of it.
  8               5        Bendigo (4-8) Winnable games literally would lift the Spirit.