McDaniel Expecting Physical Breakers Battle

Tasmania’s Sam McDaniel is expecting a battle of wills in Sunday’s clash with New Zealand – and he’s declared the Breakers “want to play like” Tasmania.

McDaniel came off the bench in The JackJumpers’ Seeding Qualifier win over Cairns to play a crucial 12 minutes. In that time he accumulated six points, two rebounds and two assists.

He says the Breakers’ penchant for playing a totally different style to the Taipans makes for an interesting matchup.

“New Zealand, unlike Cairns, play pretty similar to us,” McDaniel told SEN. “They want a slower pace game whereas Cairns wants to be able to get out and run – which we were able to stop.

“They want to play like us – a slow game, defence, grind it away, physical. We’re expecting all those things from them.

“It’s going to be a test of both defence and physicality … and they’ve got some talent over there for sure. It’ll be a good test for us.”

JackJumpers import Rashard Kelly echoed McDaniel's comments, as the club prepares for a physical battle.  

“We have all the right tools and pieces to make it happen,” Kelly said.

“It’s going to be a physical game, we’ve gotta get some rest, get mentally prepared and understand the game plan.

“We just have to keep weathering the storm and our series against New Zealand is going to be physical.

“We’re going to try and get this one in New Zealand so we can get one in Hobart."

McDaniel has experienced an injury hit NBL23 campaign.

After playing in all 34 of Tasmania’s inaugural season games, injuries have restricted the 27-year-old to just 11 games for the season.

McDaniel’s injury issues have followed the lead of his captain – Clint Steindl – who has only suited up for 17 games so far this season.

Josh Magette is also sidelined for the season with a facial injury.

McDaniel says the ability of the side’s young guard rotation to stay ready allowed them to come out firing against the Taipans.

“Some coaches have their rotations and regardless of how the game’s going they go with those rotations so guys can get rhythm and feel for the game, and Scott (Roth) isn’t like that,” he said.

“Scott always says it’s ‘next man up’. Two guys went down – our captain and vice-captain – and guys had to be ready.

“Isaac White hadn’t played in a few games, and he’s had some good games for us in the past, and he was readly.

“He’s a guy who can play, don’t get it messed up. He’s an NBL quality player and he proved it again.

The JackJumpers take on the Breakers in the first game of their Playoff series on Sunday, February 12 at 4pm AEDT.