Teal Game Preview: JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats

Round 20 – Tasmania JackJumpers V Perth Wildcats

Saturday 17 February, 8.00pm tip-off AEDT

MyState Bank Arena

Concourse opens 6.00pm

Doors: External 6.30pm / Internal 7.00pm  

Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel

State of Play

Tasmania has secured 3^rd place on the NBL ladder, with a post season berth coming up and a winning record secured for a third straight season. But the last home game of the regular season comes with additional significance for Tasmania who will host the annual Teal Game, supporting local gynaecological cancer foundation SHE [Support, Hope, Education]. In the last two seasons the Teal Game has proved a highlight for the club and the wider Tasmanian community. The 2023 edition was particularly moving with the JackJumpers coming away with a come-from-behind win over Perth in an emotion-charged game. Scott Roth typified the State’s feelings as he high fived every courtside seat holder, ending in an embrace with Jo Harris, the inspiration behind the club’s partnership with SHE. Jo sadly passed away after a long battle with Ovarian Cancer not long after the game, in April 2023, and the club is so proud to continue to honour her legacy and embody her fighting spirit.

The JackJumpers will be hoping to end the regular season on a high, but so are the visiting Wildcats who suffered a morale-dampening loss to Illawarra on Thursday night and will be looking to find some form ahead of their own finals campaign. Perth have won both of the teams’ match ups this season but the JackJumpers have found form at the right end of the season.

 Last time they met  

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 11

PERTH WILDCATS 89 (Cotton 28 , Pinder 15, Wagstaff 10, Usher 10, T Webster 10)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 88 (Crawford 29, Magnay 17, Doyle 10, Drmic 10)

 It came down to the superstar guards and Bryce Cotton delivered once more as the Perth Wildcats had to overcome Jordon Crawford, Will Magnay and the Tasmania JackJumpers to win 89-88.

The JackJumpers did plenty right at RAC Arena in mid December, looking for a fourth straight win finishing the game with 22 offensive rebounds and taking an extra 10 field goals than the Wildcats.

Tasmania also had Crawford (29 points, 5-of-8 three-point shooting) and Magnay (17 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) who were massive.

It always felt like a game that would go down to the wire, though, and after Tai Webster hit a critical three to tie scores up, with 40 seconds to go it was three-time MVP Cotton putting them in front with another from deep with the home team holding on for victory by the slimmest of margins.

SRT Logistics Coaches’ take

Head Coach Scott Roth said “this game is bigger than basketball. It’s special to me personally, and it’s special to the players. We all know there’s that bit extra to play for this week but we do need to take care of business and finish the season the way we want to. I don't believe in messing with the basketball gods and resting players or anything like that. We'll be playing until the final buzzer as always". 

Ins & outs 

Tasmania JackJumpers: Majok Deng remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Perth Wildcats: Kristian Doolittle and Bryce Cotton both looked to have injury scares in Thursday’s loss to Illawarra.

Opponents on the Radar

Bryce Cotton is a lock to win his fourth MVP award come Monday night’s awards, averaging more than 23 points and 4 assists a game in another stellar season for the now veteran cat. He copped a knock to the knee in Thursday’s clash but early reports suggest it’s only minor, superficial bruising.

Fundraising Initiatives supporting SHE

Game-worn teal jerseys and playing shoes will be signed by each player and auctioned off to raise money for SHE, along with a number of key fundraising initiatives including virtual seats available for purchase online, free bucket hats for donations over $30, Lost Edge clothing and Mon Made jewellery will activate on the concourse with a portion of sales being donated to SHE and generous donations from JackJumpers partners, including SRT Logistics will again donate to S.H.E for every 3-pointer scored by the JackJumpers during the game with a ‘Three-for-SHE’ by SRT.