Game Day Preview vs. SEM Phoenix

GAME DAY PREVIEW

Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix

7:30pm, Monday 21^st September

MyState Bank Arena  

Watch live on ESPN via Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo or Fetch  

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The Tasmania JackJumpers will take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix in front of a home crowd tonight in the team’s first game of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season.

It’s the first time that JackJumpers fans can see a born and bred Tasmanian rostered player in the green-jersey, with Taran Armstrong taking to the court for a home-town-hero moment.

The JackJumpers have nine returning players this season and three new faces including Armstrong, Ben Gold and Dakota Mathias.  

Who will take the court for the team’s first hit-out is in the hands of the coaches, who have a couple of game time decisions resting on their shoulders.

Assistant Coach Mark Radford said Ben Ayre was out as he continued to recover from a hip flexor injury, and questions over the availability of Josh Bannan and Anthony Drmic.

“There’s some game time decisions, Drmic has a grumbly back and JB (Bannan) has a little back muscle around the rib that is improving, he could be a chance to play but we’ll see,” Radford said.  

“As for the starting five, there’s still some thoughts around the combination. One thing we’ve got this year is depth, and matching guys to play with other guys is important just as much as who we’re matching up against on the opposition.”

The JackJumpers are gearing up for the season after finishing 6^th in NBL26, with two losses at Blitz and a draw against the Sydney Kings in a pre-season game. The Phoenix notched up two wins at the Blitz over the Kings and Bullets, on the back of finishing 3^rd in NBL26.  

The Phoenix will be playing two-games in NBL27 round one, with the team taking on the Perth Wildcats in Perth on Saturday night, September 19.  

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