How to watch & talking points: Tasmania v Melbourne

Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United
Thursday, October 1, 7.30pm AEST
MyState Bank Arena

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How to watch

Watch every NBL27 game live on ESPN.

>> How to watch ESPN

Tickets

>> Ticketing information

How to follow & live scores

Live scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the free NBL App.

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Rosters

Tasmania

Expected depth chart:
PG: Armstrong / Ayre (out) / Stoddart (NRP) / Bayles (NRP)
SG: Hamilton (IP) (out) / Mathias (IP) / Drmic (out) | Stattmann (NRP)
SF: Johnson (IP) / Marshall / Haywood (DP)
PF: Bannan / Deng (out)
C: Magnay / Gold / Richardson (DP)

Melbourne

Expected depth chart:
PG: Anthony (IP) / Ili (out) / D'Angelo (DP) / Macdonald (NRP)
SG: Goulding (out) / Wilson / Hynes (DP) / Shelley (NRP)
SF: Travers / Ingles / Machar / Fa'ale (DP)
PF: Waardenburg / Bowen / Bradtke (DP)
C: Oduro (IP) / Krslovic

Missing in action

Tasmania

Ben Ayre - Hip flexor - Test
Josh Bannan - Ribs - Game Time Decision
Majok Deng - Lower Leg - Round 8-10
Anthony Drmic - Back - TBC
Bryce Hamilton - ACL - TBC

Melbourne

Chris Goulding - Calf - Round 5
Shea Ili - Hamstring - Available October 3
Sean Macdonald - ACL - Season

>> View full injury list

Talking points

Defend the Island

The JackJumpers are undefeated on Tasmanian soil in NBL27 and they will look to continue that on Thursday when they face rivals Melbourne.

The two sides have plenty of history, including the NBL24 Championship Series, and have contested plenty of tight affairs, with neither team scoring more than 97 points in a game since March 18, 2024.

While Tasmania's home record is as imposing as any in the League, Melbourne comes into the game having won 23 of its last 24 Thursday night games.

Star matchups

There is star power all over the court for this mouthwatering Round 3 clash, with arguably none being bigger than the point guard battle between Taran Armstrong and Cole Anthony.

Both are the engine that fuels their respective side's offence, with both ranking highly in the League's assist column.

But they aren't alone in being the only strike power on their sides, with Tasmania also having Will Magnay, Josh Bannan and David Johnson, who will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Josh Oduro, Luke Travers and Joe Ingles on Thursday.