‘Desperate’ United ready for do-or-die basketball

The pathway is set for us as we approach the NBL26 Finals.

After finishing 5th on the ladder, it will take two consecutive wins in elimination games to progress into a three-game series against the Sydney Kings.

With no other options, Chris Goulding broke down how these do-or-die games could actually benefit the playing group moving forward.

“For quite some time now we’ve been preaching desperation, attention to detail and how important every possession and game is. We get to live that now,” Goulding explained at the NBL26 Finals media event on Tuesday.

“I’ve never really been a fan of the Play-In tournament, I liked the top-four, but it turns out this year I love the Play-In tournament.

“The reality is we’re in elimination games from the jump. Oftentimes throughout the last couple of years, it’s taken us getting down a little bit or the chips to turn to really get those competitive juices going and put it all on the line.

“It’s not the way I’d like it to be but I’m hopeful that the desperation that’s needed and the reality that it could be our last game is going to be a real positive for us and the people that we have.

“I feel confident about where we are.”

Head Coach Dean Vickerman echoed these sentiments, adding in his thoughts about the danger the Tasmania JackJumpers present ahead of our Play-In Qualifier on March 5.

“As Chris said… When we had our backs against the wall it brought out the best in us.

“This is a really fun group to coach. At different times our confidence levels haven't  been perfect, but we're really building in that area now and I think they just want to keep playing basketball together as long as possible.

“They have weapons there and they’ll go in with a strategy to go ahead and beat us. We walk into the game with nothing for respect for that program and the people that they put on the floor.”

We will host the JackJumpers inside John Cain Arena from 7:30pm on March 5.

Member pre-sale has already begun, and General Public tickets will go on sale from Thursday 26 February from 10am via Ticketek.com.au. 

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