DrinkWise Preview: NBL26 - Round 17 v Tasmania JackJumpers

It’s time for HoopsFest!

We are set to head over to Perth for a showcase of basketball when we take on the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday night from 9:30pm inside RAC Arena.

It will be a battle of two teams looking to do all they can to strengthen their ladder position across the final third of the season.

A win would see us bring an end to a three-game slide, while the JackJumpers have won three of their last four games, all of which have been decided by less than 10 points.

WHAT’S THE WORD?

Leading into the matchup, Head Coach Dean Vickerman stressed the importance of getting back to playing our brand of basketball come Saturday evening.

“They (Tasmania) always challenge you with how disciplined you are in a lot of areas of the game,” he explained.

“From the last time we played them, Magnay had a big influence on the game with his defence and his offence, so how can we contain him a little bit better.

“But then just getting back to us, getting stops and finding pace in the game and letting the basketball pop has certainly been where we're trying to get back to.” 

WHO’S HOT, WHO'S NOT

Jesse Edwards put together a pair of strong offensive performances in Round 16, averaging 17 points per game on 83% shooting from the field.

The big-man has been one of the league’s most efficient scorers this season, while also pulling down the fifth-most offensive rebounds per game in the competition.

He will be matched up with Will Magnay, who had one of the best games of his career in his last matchup against us.

Magnay is averaging 14 points and just over nine rebounds per game against United this season.

DETAILS

Who: Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers

Tip-off: 9:30pm AEDT, Saturday 17 January, 2026

Where: RAC Arena, Perth

Watch: ESPN

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