"He can tear it apart": Anstey's Cole Anthony warning

The tip-off of the Hungry Jack's NBL27 campaign is finally upon us, and the season-opener could not be more exciting.

The Round 1 fixture at John Cain Arena will pit the revamped Melbourne United against last season's runners-up Adelaide in a blockbuster clash.

Not only that, it will give fans the mouthwatering matchup between six-time MVP Bryce Cotton and one of the top recruits the League has had in some time, NBA talent Cole Anthony.

While the latter has missed the majority of the pre-season due to a calf complaint, he declared himself fit on Monday.

One person who couldn't be more excited to see the matchup and what Anthony can do on an NBL court is two-time MVP Chris Anstey.

"He (Anthony) can have moments where he absolutely tears it apart, especially if he's knocking down the three-point shot," Anstey said on NBL Now, presented by CODE Sports.

"We saw that in the very first pre-season game he played out at Casey; he consistently knocked down the three, [with] the three-point line being closer for him.

"His speed is [also] something that's going to be really difficult to contend with.

"The word around Melbourne United is he gets along great with the guys, so there's nothing that is going to force any sort of friction.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how he plays alongside Luke Travers, how he gets Chris Goulding more easy looks than he's probably had in the last couple of years, and how he blends with the veteran signings like Joe Ingles in particular.

"It's just such a fascinating first game of the season to see, as [it will give us a chance to determine] if Cole Anthony is an MVP candidate, against the barometer in Bryce Cotton.

"On the flip side, what does it mean for Bryce Cotton?

"Does Bryce come out and say, 'Hang on, you've all spoken about this guy all off-season. Remember me?'

"Nobody's ever going to forget Bryce Cotton in this League, being a six-time MVP.

"They're walking in and playing Adelaide in Game 1, so I'd expect a really big game from Bryce Cotton.

"I'd expect a little bit of feeling out from all of the Melbourne United team, but what a fascinating game to open our season."

On Cotton, three-time champion Anstey is also intrigued to see how the superstar guard acclimates to playing under former coach Trevor Gleeson.

"One thing we found when Trevor coached Bryce at Perth was the ability to get Bryce off the ball, running him off flex cuts, down screens, and giving him more time without the ball in his hands," Anstey said.

"It's a system that Bryce is very familiar with and should still be very familiar with.

"Bryce Cotton's role is to be the best player in this country, and that's not going to change no matter what system, what coach, what team Bryce plays for.

"His role in my mind remains absolutely identical to what it has been since he landed on these shores."

Saturday's season-opener tips off at 7:30pm AEST, live on ESPN via Disney+, 9Go! and 9Now.

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