How injury-hit JackJumpers keep finding a way

Held together by “duct tape and WD-40,” the Tasmania JackJumpers have become one of the stories of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season.

Despite a mounting injury toll that includes Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson, Nick Marshall, Majok Deng and Ben Gold, Scott Roth’s side sit second after eight rounds with an 8-3 record.

That resilience hasn’t gone unnoticed by the NBL Overtime panel, with 2018 NBL champion Pete Hooley full of praise.

“[They’ve been dominant] without a lot of key operators,” Hooley said.

“Tasmania, we know they just find a way.

“They’ve got to keep the core healthy, and then they’re going to be tough to beat.”

Fellow panellist and 2001 NBL champion Damon Lowery agreed.

“They’ve been held together by duct tape and WD-40, but they’ve got so much heart,” he said.

“There’s a vibe around that team that as long as we walk out there on the floor, we’re a chance to win.

“Scott Roth has instilled a belief in the system. [The ‘Defend the Island’ motto] might [sound] a little bit cheesy, but they take it to heart, and they show up.

“It doesn’t matter where they go. They travel with seven guys, six contracted players, and they’re just going to wear you down.

“Is it sustainable? I don’t know. We’ll find out.”

While the system has been crucial to Tasmania’s strong start, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker also credited Roth’s ability to get the best out of his players.

“The system, the defence, they rebound the basketball, and it looks like they really enjoy playing with one another,” Rucker said.

“Even guys like Cody [Stattmann], who bounced around and never really got any opportunity. [He goes] to Scott Roth, and all of a sudden he’s hitting big buckets down the stretch.

“It is remarkable what this man does with these players.”

The JackJumpers’ next chance to extend their strong form comes on Thursday night, when they travel to Perth to face the Wildcats.

That fixture tips off at 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.