QBL Men Round 3 Previews

Friday, May 13

Rockhampton Rockets (1-1) vs Toowoomba Mountaineers (0-2)

Offensive Rating: Rockhampton 111.2 (4th) - Toowoomba 93.4 (12th) Defensive Rating: Rockhampton 99.4 (4th) -Toowoomba 116.2 (14th)

The Gist: Rockhampton got a roadblock from Logan Thunder losing 92-97 last Friday. Granted they were without Auryn MacMillan (Congrats on the birth of your child!) and Tom Garlepp (NBL All-Australian team to China), the loss would have stung the Rockets early form. Jordan Gregory and Shaun Gleeson combined for 61 points and nice to see Jared Blanchard contributing in his first real opportunity. Toowoomba might have lost to Townsville (96-106), but they would be glad to get imports Erron Maxey and Chris Whitehead into the squad and with good performances. Solid games from Charles Dickerson and Aron Pantano too.

Key Matchup: Jordan Gregory vs. Chris Whitehead. Both players show they can contribute in this league. Gregory is lethal from outside while Whitehead is a predominant driver. Whitehead would need to cut the turnovers if Toowoomba has a shot at winning.

Prediction: Rockhampton have lost 2 of the past 3 games at Hegvold and it's a trend they would want to stop with a convincing win over the Mountaineers. Rockhampton

Townsville Heat (3-0) vs Brisbane Capitals (2-0)

Offensive Rating: Townsville 111 (5th) - Brisbane 97.4 (10th) Defensive Rating: Townsville 95.3 (3rd) - Brisbane 91.7 (2nd)

The Gist: Townsville showed they are the in-form team with convincing wins over Toowoomba and a strong come from behind win over Ipswich. The Heat are the epitome of team basketball and have a well balanced team with 5-6 players with double digit scoring. Brisbane are undefeated following an ugly win over SC Rip (52-77). Aaron Anderson top scored with 17 points.

Key Matchup: Dusty Rychart vs. Townsville Bigs. Rychart is back from his trip in the US and should be raring to go. Townsville have two veteran bigs (Matt Rees and Luke Brennan) and a promising talent in Harry Froling. Containing Rychart will be the key for Townsville and a litmus test for Rychart head into the season.

Prediction: This is Brisbane first real test of the season and they should be glad to have Rychart back. Facing a deep, balanced team that thrives on defence at home will be a tough task. Expect this game to be a thriller. Townsville

Saturday, May 14

Logan Thunder (2-1) vs. Ipswich Force (1-1)

Offensive Rating: Logan 116 (1st) - Ipswich 98.6 (9th) Defensive Rating: Logan 100.4 (5th) - Ipswich 106.0 (11th)

The Gist: Logan did a great job to get the split in their CQ roadtrip. Managed to beat Rockhampton and came so close to defeating Mackay the next night. Mitch Young is in ominous form (61 points and 24 rebounds over the two games) and got supported by Justin Baker. Ipswich blew a 7 point halftime lead against Townsville Heat, who managed to keep James Legan scoreless during that 29-12 third quarter. Legan eventually top scored with 34 points scoring 18 points in the 4th quarter.

Key Matchup: Michael Cedar vs. James Legan. When the game was on the line Legan went AWOL and even his 4 quarter score fest wasn't enough. Mick Cedar has to do a similar job on Legan, on a team that is missing a viable second or third scoring option.

Prediction: Logan is starting to click the right way, Young and co. have been in ominous form, though i have concerns about that bench of theirs. Ipswich are still missing their two point guards and their issues of taking care of the ball will be their downfall. Logan

South West Metro Pirates (1-1) vs. Sunshine Coast Rip (0-2)

Offensive Rating: South West 112.1 (2nd) SC Rip 75.1 (14th)

Defensive Rating: South West 105.2 (9th) SC Rip 88.9 (1st)

The Gist: South West suffered their first loss of the season, narrowly losing to Gladstone (). The Pirates were with both imports and had to rely on Ryan Vines and Jarred Bairstow. Sunshine Coast Rip had their first inaugural home game vs. Brisbane without star import Lance Hurdle and lost 52-75

Key Matchup: Jason Conrad vs. Rory Sutton. Conrad is making his first appearance for the Pirates. While 7 footers do tend to struggle in this league it will be interesting to see how he does in this league. Sutton has been impressive in the first two games for the rip and looks like they have a solid centre to work around. With teams having strong players in the backcourt, whoever takes advantage of the centre battle should have a good chance of winning

Prediction: Interesting battle here, while Rip have limited teams defensively they have equal struggled in the offensive end of things. South West have depended on their guard and will be intriguing to see how their structure changes with one of the bigs in town. Too close to call. South West Metro

Cairns Marlins (1-1) vs. Brisbane Capitals (2-0)

Offensive Rating: Cairns 111.5 (3rd) - Brisbane 97.4 (10th) Defensive Rating: Cairns 116.1 (13th) - Brisbane 91.7 (2nd)

The Gist: Cairns has had a solid week 1 splitting the Mackay / Townsville road trip, before heading to a bye. Brisbane maintained their unbeaten streak with a ugly win over SC Rip.

Key Matchup: Anthony Fisher vs. Ryan Jeffries. Fisher showed promised in the first week of QBL with good performance against Mackay (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Townsville (19 points). Jeffries has struggle over the first couple of games averaging 6 points @ 35% from the field. Whoever wins that battle will go a long way to winning this game

Prediction: Cairns are rushing Cam Tragardh back from injury cos Alex Loughton is rumored to be unavailable this weekend for the Marlins. This could open up the Brisbane Capitals to get a positive result out of their FNQ roadtrip. Brisbane

Gladstone Port City Power (1-2) vs. Toowoomba Mountaineers (0-2)

Offensive Rating: Gladstone 96.3 (11th) - Toowoomba 93.4 (12th)

Defensive Rating: Gladstone 105.5 (10th) -Toowoomba 116.2 (14th)

The Gist: Gladstone very so close to getting a double road win, narrowly missing at Gold Coast only to beat South West the next day. Ray Wills is back for the Power is starting to rack up the stats. Jake Allen is proving to be quite a revelation this season almost averaging 25 points a game. Toowoomba seem to have come down to earth from last years performance and is rumored that Steve Kluck and Aaron Howard will make an appearance for the Mountaineers

Key Matchup: Marvin Williams vs Erron Maxey. Williams has been solid but not spectacular in his first 3 games of the season and Gladstone need him to improve into that second reliable import, that should help them win games.Maxey had a strong game in his first game vs. Townsville and should be in for massive performance here.

Prediction: This look like a game that could go either way. Gladstone have the home advantage, Willis and Allen look in good form. Toowoomba has a chance with Whitehead and Maxey but it also depends on how the game vs. Rockhampton goes on Friday night. Gladstone

Sunday, May 15

Mackay Meteors (1-1) vs. Rockhampton Rockets (1-1)

Offensive Rating: Mackay 109.6 (7th) - Rockhampton 111.2 (4th) Defensive Rating: Mackay 113.0 (12th) - Rockhampton 99.4 (4th)

The Gist: Massive game for both teams, in terms of playoff implications and even home finals. Mackay managed their first win against Logan in a close encounter. Rockhampton suffered their first lost vs. Logan and they would have faced Toowoomba on the Friday before travelling to Mackay.

Key Matchup: Tidjane Diop vs. Tom Garlepp. Garlepp is a quality NBL players and combined with Auryn McMillan they pose a strong frontcourt. That puts pressure on TJ Diop and the rest of the frontcourt to contain those two players. If Mackay want to have a chance not just in this game but overall, Diop being a solid defensive option for them is a priority

Prediction: Either selection will cause me grief on my private messenger. Rocky have the five to win games but i'm not sold on their bench. Mackay are a similar situation with their bench but have a bit more with Harvey. Too tough to call, but i have to go with the home team. Mackay

Gold Coast Rollers (1-1) vs. Sunshine Coast Phoenix Clippers (2-0)

Offensive Rating: Gold Coast 107.1 (8th) - SC Phoenix 111.0 (5th) Defensive Rating: Gold Coast 103.3 (7th) - SC Phoenix 100.1 (10th)

The Gist: Gold Coast got the first win of the season with a thriller over Gladstone. Who knew that Thalo Green can still play, either a) he still has it after so many years away or b) the league is watered down. Gold Coast at still without their two imports and time will tell when they can get them on the court. SC Phoenix are off to a great start with the returning duo of Jorden Page and Zane Meehl, beating Bundaberg at Bundy in a close one.

Key Matchup: Christian Salaciech vs. Jorden Page. Former teammates in those epic Queensland u-20 team, this has the making of quality matchup. Both players have struggled either with injury or poor form to emulate the success of fellow state players, so this year will be nice to see if they get to that NBL level.

Prediction: A close game between two team that have showed vast improvement from last year. It depends on how the big situation at gold coast goes if they are at full strength they would have the advantage. Gold Coast