Basketball On The Internet.

THERE's no doubt anymore the NBL is very conscious of protecting the heads of its players this season ... but what about their faces?

Yeah, I know I'm going to get howled at for this but when I see what women's players have to do to ensure their hair in no way endangers the face - for example, flicks into the eyes - of a rival player, the braid brigade in the NBL makes me shake my head.

Don't tell me when Jordhair puts on the jets and flies past a defender, his hair isn't potentially hazardous.

Or when Marcus Thornton is taking it hard to the net, he shouldn't be wearing a hairnet.

Or when Charles Jackson is spearheading an assault on the hoop, his hair isn't flying independently.

OK, this all might be a little tongue-in-cheek but it does amaze me how the gals have to have hair up in buns, checked and rechecked so as to not in any way be hazardous to others.

Is there a double-standard here?

Luke Schenscher ponytails his and keeps it short enough to keep opponents safe.

Can't everyone?

Yes. That's right. We tackle all the big issues here at Basketball On The Internet!

 

NOT such a huge issue, though it doesn't just bug me alone, calling its weekly highlights package on Fox "NBL Blitz" remains irksome.

I don't know who got the big bucks to come up with that but hopefully they got a gold watch and were shown the door in the same motion.

Now we appear to be stuck with it, even though NBL Blitz already means the annual preseason tournament to anyone who follows the game.

Changing the show's name to NBL Hardball (just "Hardball"?) or any of a thousand better choices decision-makers chose to ignore, may I suggest one more idea?

Given the show is reminding us of the best bits of the round just gone, maybe just the subtle, barely perceptible removal of the letter "L" would give us a great name and hardly anyone would even notice.

Ladies and gentleman, I present you with the alternative name for Fox's NBL highlights package ... drum roll please ... "NBL Bitz". 

 

YOU can't engage Townsville's superstar Suzy Batkovic in a Twitter war as SEQ coach Shane Heal chose to in the preseason, and not expect your come-uppance on the hardwood.

Try 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting after a 19-point first-half as the Fire were busy seeing Stars.

SEQ had led by double figures but The Batgirl was having none of it. In one little 27-second outburst, she delivered five straight points to turn a one-point deficit into a four-point buffer.

The Fire won 88-85, Suzy with the last laugh, the WNBL even giving her its Player of the Week honours!

We revisited our decision here at B.O.T.I. and are happy with our selection of Katie-Rae Ebzery, the prized lammy in the mail.

 

JUST so you know, Tyson Demos and Cody Ellis are joining Rhys Martin in Illawarra's M.A.S.H. tent ahead of the NBL round.

And Matt Hodgson will be missing from the 36ers' touring team to Cairns.

 

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (7) KINGS 3-8 – Josh is back from suspension/injury and a road win is very gettable.

7 (6) HAWKS 4-6 – Took a ranking tumble but can go 2-0 at home this round.

6 (8) CROCODILES 4-8 – So much heart and focus, you’ve got to love ’em.

5 (4) TAIPANS 4-6 – At home, against Adelaide, it’s make-or-break time.

4 (5) 36ERS 6-6 – As record shows, league’s most erratic team. Who knows?

3 (1) UNITED 9-3 – On a skid and desperately need to reverse this loss.

2 (3) WILDCATS 8-4 – Rarely convincing BUT keep getting it done. Reliable.

1 (2) BREAKERS 7-4 – The form team at present with a WMD in Webster.

 

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (9) CAPITALS 0-9 – Been a tough week in Canberra and it’s time to respond on court.

8 (8) LIGHTNING  2-7 – Hosting Bendigo and would feel confident going into this.

7 (6) SPIRIT 6-5 – Erratic but have the weapons to pummel Adelaide if allowed to fire.

6 (7) BOOMERS 4-6 – Stopped the slide and would expect Caps’ scalps on road.

5 (5) RANGERS 4-4 – Treading water and definitely need to restart the engines.

4 (1) STARS 6-4 – Copped it last round but catch Perth on second leg.

3 (3) LYNX 7-2 – Keep on keeping on and upsets or a road split wouldn’t shock.

2 (4) FIRE 6-3 – Ticked the road boxes, now have a Perth challenge at home.

1 (2) FLAMES 7-2 – Gave Stars no quarter but face a desperate Dandy.

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

SYDNEY at Illawarra reignites the NBL’s second-oldest rivalry and comes at a time both teams desperately need a win. The Kings regain Josh Childress and will be “up” while the Hawks were disengaged in Adelaide and will have spent the week revisiting and addressing that. It makes for a torrid showdown with the AJ Ogilvy-Julian Khazzouh match-up a key and whatever form Childress is in also significant. Tipping Illawarra but only because of the homecourt advantage.

WHAT a cracker Melbourne at Townsville promises to be after last round, although things have changed. The Crocs regain Brian Conklin from suspension, United has Hakim Warrick back from injury and with a much-needed run under his belt against New Zealand. Those “ins” shift the dynamics somewhat, Melbourne also on a three-loss skid and anxious to halt it right there, Townsville loving life. The Crocs aren’t under the pressure of expectation and are a value bet, though United still would start favourite.

HAVING split their two games in Adelaide, the Taipans and 36ers both need this win in Cairns and there’s little to separate them. Last time it took a Markel Starks 3-point buzzer-beater. Cairns is coming off an unlucky one-point loss to Perth, Adelaide off a home win over Illawarra after another home loss to the same Wildcats. Both teams also have had all week to prepare for each other. Wow, this really is a coin toss but I’m tipping a Sixers’ road win.

NBL Action: Lucas Walker (36ers) splits Perth defenders Matt Knight and Shawn Redhage.

ARCH rivals of recent times, Perth host New Zealand in arguably the match of the round, if you discount the previous three potential barn-burners. Tai Wesley’s presence or otherwise is important for the Breakers due to the size the Wildcats boast and although 13,000 ardent members of the Red Army will be all over them, none of them can help defend Corey Webster. He is the wild card and with Tom Abercrombie also re-emerging of late, this could be the round’s other road upset.

ILLAWARRA previously took care of business in Townsville which will have issues defending the perimeter potency of the Hawks at The Sandpit. Both protagonists already would have played an important fixture ahead of this showdown which will have some bearing on the mental approach. The Hawks will have to show more willingness to get down-and-dirty, because the Crocs won’t lack in effort or energy. At home, again I feel that will tip the balance for the Hawks.

SYDNEY is rolling in the WNBL at the same time Dandenong has hit a skid, the Rangers tumbling to sixth. At home, this fixture presents a genuine opportunity to resume the climb but the Flames are unlikely to feel accommodating. Both clubs have good team games going when they’re rolling, Dandy coach Larissa Anderson with the job now of getting her team back into that groove. Sydney is already there though, which is why it must start favourite.

SECOND versus third is what happens in Townsville when the Lynx race in and what a contest this one promises to be. Perth’s “twin towers” of Louella Tomlinson and Nat Burton against the Fire’s Suzy Batkovic and Cayla George alone is worth the price of admission, before we even get to the excitement Tessa Lavey and Sami Whitcomb bring. Murray, Tatham, Novosel, Cocks … the Fire aren’t lacking. Huge for Perth’s prospects, I expect them to get Townsville later this season. But not here, not now.

IF Canberra couldn’t beat Adelaide to celebrate Jess Bibby’s record-breaking game, why would anyone expect them to stop Melbourne? The Boomers halted their slide by beating Bendigo and should bound into the capital full of bounce and confidence. Meanwhile in Canberra though, this week has seen much soul-searching, hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing, as you’d expect with the Caps on the threshold of a double-digit losing streak. Incredibly, I’m tipping the Caps to break through as a result of all that, factors of morale and emotion Melbourne cannot control.

WHEN the Spirit last hit Adelaide, the Lightning pulled off their first win of the season but Bendigo had already played in Perth. It’s a more even playing field this time, although there will be some confusion among Bendigo defenders if they’re switching on players and calling names, not numbers. Adelaide has Mikaela, Mikaela, Mikayla and Kayla to cause defensive confusion, Standish a huge addition. Ah, why not two wins at home for Adelaide?

PERTH at SEQ is second versus fourth and another game of great potential. For the Stars, ambushing Perth on the second leg of its journey is the recipe for success and what I’m predicting will happen. But not before another terrific game of WNBL where Rachel Jarry again looms as the X-Factor. When she is firing, she sings.
 

Online

Lucas Walker making his mark: http://bit.ly/1OpdDl0

Anthony Petrie fit to play: http://bit.ly/1P8auJs 

 

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

Owen

Owen Who?

O an’ three doesn’t look as untouchable as nine and O.