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QBL Men Qualifying Final Preview: Brisbane vs Ipswich


Brisbane Capitals (14-3, 1st in Central Pool, 2nd overall) vs. Ipswich Force (8-9, 2nd in South Pool, 8th overall)

2016 Meeting Round 5 @ Cotton On Foundation Stadium: Ipswich Force 85 (James Legan 38, Kyle Harvey 24, Jaryd Eustace 6, Brent Wallace 6) def by Brisbane Capitals 101 (Aaron Anderson 28, Zac Carter 14, Dusty Rychart 13)

Team leading stats Points: Aaron Anderson - Brisbane 21.1; James Legan - Ipswich 30.1 (Lead League)

Rebounds: Dusty Rychart - Brisbane 8.2; Kyle Harvey - Ipswich 6.9 Assists: Aaron Anderson - Brisbane 4.9; Jason Ralph - Ipswich 5.4

Projected Starting Lineups Brisbane: Aaron Anderson, Ryan Jeffries, Kurt Thompson, Zac Carter, Dusty Rychart Ipswich: Jason Ralph, James Legan, Ben Wilson, Kyle Harvey, Brent Wallace

The Gist: Apart from a couple of hiccups, Brisbane has been consistent all throughout the season. They were clinical against Logan in Cornubia when they needed too, which essentially gave them a home qualifying final . Aaron Anderson has been the pick of their players averaging 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.5 steals. Ipswich have only recently had their full roster available and it has started to show with a good away win to Rockhampton in the last round of regular season. James Legan has been in ominous form in the offensive end leading the league in scoring 30.1 points (46.4% from FG and 47.6% from 3PT).

X-Factors: Dusty Rychart (Brisbane). It’s not unexpected that Rychart's stats would eventually start to drop off, especially in the offensive end. Having said that, Rychart's experience and basketball smarts should be a key factor in this contest, especially when playing against Harvey, Wallace and Kuon

Ben Wilson (Ipswich). Willo wasn’t with the team the last time these two teams met and he could make a difference. The recently graduate from Idaho State is a capable all-round guard that can either contribute with his ball handling or his defense, two aspects Ipswich were missing last time around. Key Matchup: In recent years Brisbane strength has been their shooting and especially the weapons they have had off the bench. On their day Anthony Kopcikas, Drew Phillips and Jacob Davis can provide instant sparks in the offence, however the flipside is all three of them have their issues when it comes to consistency. Given that Ryan Jeffries and Zac Carter aren’t the most reliable players in that Capitals squad, one out of the those three benchies need to contribute on the offence. Ipswich didn’t have a bench last year but new additions Jacob Wilson and Jaryd Eustace as well as James Kuon slotting to a reserve role have strengthened the Force bench. Eustace could win you game but needs to be more consistent while Wilson and Kuon can contribute given Kuon's importance if Wallace falters or get into foul trouble.

How do Brisbane win this game: Aaron Anderson and Kurt Thompson are their best guards on the defensive end. Putting pressure on the ball handlers (Ralph, Legan, Wilson brothers, Eustace) will be a key as Brisbane are capable to exploit it into quick points.

How do Ipswich win this game: Ipswich and defense don’t mix together in the same sentence but if Force want to progress to the semifinal, players have to pull it together. Brisbane have an issue this year with their outside shooting and if Ipswich can defend the open shot and dominate in the glass, it could make a difference. Also their two imports Legan and Harvey need to step up offensively, while both players have carry the Force throughout the season, the last time both teams met they were a combined 16/44 from the field. Prediction: On paper Brisbane have a far more superior team than Ipswich. Anderson, Thompson and Rychart have enough experience to guide the team into the semifinals. Ipswich need a lot of things to fall right for them, but if they can defend and if Legan strokes lights out from outside, you could see an upset, but safe money should be on Brisbane. Brisbane

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