Every Game In Focus: Round 1, NBL25

Every week of the Hungry Jack's NBL25 Season, we'll be previewing the big games, the big names and all the key talking points.

Check out the Round 1 Preview below.

Don't forget, every game of the NBL25 season is live on ESPN via Kayo. 

Melbourne United v Tasmania

When: Thursday, September 19, 8.30pm AEST
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: All eyes are on Tasmania in this one. The reigning champions arrive for their rematch against Melbourne battered and bruised from their pre-season. After their success at the Intercontinental Cup last week, where they finished third, the JackJumpers traveled straight to Perth to prepare for opening night. Unfortunately for them, they will be without some key pieces to their puzzle with new import Craig Sword out with concussion and Sean Macdonald ruled out until December with an ankle injury. With those important pieces missing, and their travel in recent weeks, how fresh will they be when the ball is thrown up?

New faces: It’s not a new face at Melbourne, because Marcus Lee is very familiar to NBL fans, but it’s a return to United that will be key to watch. The starting big man for Tasmania last year gets to anchor down Melbourne’s defensive unit and match up against his good friend and old teammate, Will Magnay.

With all the injuries in the Tasmanian team, all eyes could be on the use of development player Brody Nunn in this game. Scott Roth has shown in the last three years that he is not afraid to throw a young player into the mix and see what impact he has. There could be an extended opportunity here for Nunn from the beginning of the season.

The stat: Chris Goulding has hit at least one three-pointer in 65 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

Missing in action: Goulding missed the final two games of the Blitz due to illness, but is expected to be available, while the Jackies will be without two key names, with Craig Sword (concussion) and Sean Macdonald (ankle).

What they're saying: "I’m extremely concerned about the roster in the next six to eight weeks, not just Thursday." - Scott Roth on JackJumpers' injuries. 

"That's where our focus has been in the pre-season - about how good we can be in the last two or three minutes of the game It was an area that we felt JackJumpers were a little bit better than us in the grand final series." - Dean Vickerman on United's preparations.

Dean Vickerman and Scott Roth.

Perth v South East Melbourne

When: Friday, September 20, 8.30pm AEST
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: Watch the scoreboard in this one. Both teams showcased throughout the pre-season that they’re going to push the pace at every opportunity and aren’t afraid to get up quick shots. There’s elite point guards on both sides, knockdown shooters everywhere and athletic big men who will get above the rim. This match-up could easily see both teams put up 100+ points.

New faces: The Wildcats said goodbye to the number two pick, Alex Sarr, and welcomed in Spanish Next Star, Izan Almsansa. It’s not a stretch to say that that the Spaniard could be more impactful for Perth than Sarr was. His ability to use his athleticism on both ends of the floor and his creativity around the hoop, will find him logging crucial minutes in this rotation.

Pick any of their nine new faces at the Phoenix if you want to see something exciting. However, if the Blitz taught us anything, then the X-factor of this team is Joe Wieskamp. The former San Antonio Spur seemed to find his feet during the week on the Gold Coast and understood where he can be impactful in this team full of offensive weapons. He has an extremely quick release and expect the first play to be drawn up for him to test if his radar is on.

The stat: Perth has won each of its last seven season openers.

Missing in action: Both teams will go in with a full bill of health, with Bryce Cotton (thumb) ready to go, despite missing a couple of games at the Blitz.

What they're saying: "I think we’re ready to take the next step. We are progressing from where we started with nine new players at the beginning of the pre-season, and some really key players. I think we’ve made progress the whole time, especially during the Blitz." - Mike Kelly on the Phoenix preparations.

"He’s played in the NBA for the last four years in a particular role. I want him to be more aggressive and play more how he was in college." - John Rillie on his challenge to Dylan Windler.

Izan Almansa.

New Zealand v Brisbane

When: Saturday, September 21, 6pm AEST
Where: HBF Stadium
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: If there was any game that New Zealand just couldn’t afford to have their big man Freddie Gillespie, not play, it was this one. Brisbane boasts the two tallest players in the league with Tyrell Harrison and Rocco Zikarsky. The Breakers are going to have to find a way to limit their impact on both ends, and if they try to play small, it will be interesting to watch how Brisbane responds. 

New faces: James Batemon, Brisbane’s newest import point guard, looked incredibly comfortable in the pre-season. He was picking his moments to attack and then to facilitate, while also using his size defensively to be a problem. Batemon might just be the leader of this Bullets team going forward and he will have no problem leading from the front.

The last time NBL fans saw Mojave King in action, he was on his second year as a Next Star for Adelaide and trying to fit into a team that didn’t have a set identity. Since then, he’s been drafted to the NBA and spent time in the G-League. He arrives back in the NBL with a chip on his shoulder and an opportunity to be one of the leading offensive threats on this new look Breakers roster.

The stat: Including finals, Zikarsky ranked 1st amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (5.2) last season.

Missing in action: The Bullets will be sweating on the fitness of Josh Bannan, who missed the entirety of the NBL Blitz. Gillespie will be sidelined for the opening round due to suspension.

What they're saying: "We are building our identity game by game, and improving. At the same time we don’t have the luxury of being able to take plays off. We have to be all 40 minutes there to be competitive, and step by step we are getting on the same page." - Petteri Koponen on working with a new-look Breakers squad.

"We know the league’s better this year but, for us, playoffs is a must. That’s our pass mark, and if we don’t achieve that, that’ll be a disappointment." - Justin Schueller on the Bullets' aspirations.

Mojave King.

Cairns v Illawarra

When: Saturday, September 21, 8.30pm AEST
Where: HBF Stadium
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo | NZ: ESPN & TVNZ | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: Keep an eye on the Cairns point guard rotation in this game, as they’re heading into Round 1 without two of their rostered options available. Taran Armstrong is out with a calf injury and Jackson Makoi is suspended. Kyle Adnam will no doubt be limited as he returns from a longer-term injury. This brings Tad Dufelmeier into the starting unit and will also see Rob Edwards play the role for some time as well. How does Cairns navigate this challenge against a Hawks team that will really ramp up the pressure?

New faces: Rob Edwards immediately made his name known during the Blitz with his aggression on the offensive end and some trash talk thrown in as well. Edwards was given the nickname “the microwave” during his time in the G-League, because of his ability to heat up quickly and pile on the points. With no Armstrong, expect an aggressive Edwards to lead from the front.

Just three weeks ago, Darius Days was playing for the Shanghai Sharks against the Hawks. Fast forward to now and he could be the leading man on this Illawarra team that is ready to contend this season. Days comes in to replace the All NBL forward, Gary Clark and will do a bit of everything on the floor.

The stat: Including finals, Sam Froling ranked 1st amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (12.1) last season.

Missing in action: Daniel Grida missed the Blitz with a calf injury and the club is yet to confirm his availability for Round 1, while Armstrong (calf) and Makoi (suspension) are all missing for the Taipans, but coach Adam Forde says Adnam is in the mix to return for minutes at HoopsFest.

What they're saying: "I think we set our expectations at top four again, but there's no reason why we can't be number one by the end of it and there's no reason why we can't be even better than last year." - Lachlan Olbrich on the Hawks' championship hopes.

"I think there's some areas of easy points we can look to target, but obviously there's some things we need to tidy up ourselves so we're not bleeding down the other end." - Adam Forde on the Taipans' hopes.

Darius Days.

Adelaide v Sydney

When: Sunday, September 22, 2.30pm AEST
Where: RAC Arena
Watch: Live & free on ESPN via Kayo | 10 & 10 Play | NZ: ESPN | International
Scores: Download the free NBL App

Watch for: Two of the strongest athletes around in Montrezl Harrell and Keli Leaupepe will meet in this game and it could provide some incredible viewing. Both players at different points of their careers, but both who have shown they aren’t afraid to throw their weight around. If they meet in a post battle, it will be worth the price of admission alone.

New faces: Harrell is the one to watch in this one for Adelaide. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year is healthy after returning from an ACL and joins the 36ers on a short-term deal, with all eyes on returning to the NBA in the near future. An excitement machine, Harrell is the type of player who will rip down every rebound and try to dunk everything, regardless of who is in his way.

Cam Oliver returns to the NBL after two seasons away and this time he joins the Sydney Kings. Oliver had a dominant season for Cairns last time he was here and looks to have expanded on his game since then. With the style of play that Sydney have indicated they’re going to play, Oliver will relish the pace and physicality in this one and should provide plenty of highlights.

The stat: Sydney has won each of its last 23 games when allowing fewer than 80 points.

Missing in action: NBL22 MVP Jaylen Adams is hoping to make his return after missing the Blitz with an ankle injury, while Kouat Noi is also looking to shake an ankle issue for Round 1.

What they're saying: "I think it's always good early in the season to take a shot at a team that's really, really good. They've got a great roster and I have a ton of respect for them. We'll just see how it goes." - Mike Wells on the Sydney Kings.

"How difficult and how tough the league's going to be. Everybody's talking about it. The level's gone up, the standard's gone up another level from last year and there's no weak teams in the competition. Every team is at least eight deep." - Brian Goorjian on the challenges of NBL25.

Montrezl Harrell.