Shot clock: Quickfire guide to setting up your SuperCoach NBL team for round 20

It’s grand final week in SuperCoach NBL. Here’s how to set up your team for the final round of the season.

It all comes down to this.

Round 20 is the final round of SuperCoach NBL, and grand final week for thousands of head-to-head leagues.

Results this week will also decide the overall winner, who will drive away with a 2024 Mitsubishi Triton GSR 4x4 Double Cab Pick-Up valued at up to AUD $63,000.

Here’s everything you need to know to get the best score in round 20.

ON THE DOUBLE

The schedule is the key to SuperCoach NBL success. Targeting players from teams that play twice in a round will give you twice as many opportunities to score points.

In round 20 there are just two teams on the double: Cairns Taipans and Illawarra Hawks.

That means players from every team – including all four teams on the double last round (Adelaide 36ers, Perth Wildcats, SEM Phoenix and Tasmania JackJumpers) only play once in the grand final.

Try to retain reliable high scorers like Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton. But the cash they hold could be key to getting as many double-game players on court as possible.

Unless you have had the foresight – and self control – to keep a Trade Boost until the final round, you have only two trades to do that. Which makes for some tricky selection calls on who to trade and hold.

Helping is out is the fact the best scorers at Cairns and Illawarra won’t break the bank.

Sam Waardenburg has been a rollercoaster all season but he scored 90 in the Taipans’ last double and looks like a must-have for the grand final.

Teammate Pedro Bradshaw is cheaper and has hit form with an 82 in the round 18 double, and 31 on single last round, while Tanner Groves and Taran Armstrong are bothjust under $300k. Groves comes with the flexibility of CTR/FWD status.

Sam Waardenburg in action. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

Scratch Rob Edwards from your plans – he won’t play in round 20, becoming a trade out for unlucky coaches who brought him in early.

At the Hawks, Trey Kell has the highest price tag and has produced several scores in the 40s this season, but a 13 on a single last round doesn’t inspire confidence.

Sam Froling, another CTR/FWD, has a 60 and a 17 in singles to his name over the past three rounds – hopefully this is one of his high-scoring rounds. Will Hickey is more reliable if you’re happy to bank scores in the 20s, while Todd Blanchfield is a bargain basement pick if you need to free up cash.

Rob Edwards has played his last game for Cairns Taipans. He won't be suiting up for Cairns' last two games.

He's off to a new club (TBC) immediately.

Owned by 14.2% of the comp. Could be huge. #NBL#NBL25

— Pleb (@SuperCoachPleb) February 1, 2025

TRADE IN

1. Sam Waardenburg (CNS)

2. Pedro Bradshaw (CNS)

3. Sam Froling (ILL)

4. Trey Kell (ILL)

5. Tyler Harvey (ILL)

TRADE OUT

1. Joe Wieskamp (SEM)

2. Matt Hurt (SEM)

3. Isaac Humphries (ADL)

4. Montrezl Harrell (ADL)

5. Keanu Pinder (PER)

CAPTAIN CALL

It’s time to take the C off Kendric Davis – or, for some, Bryce Cotton. Sam Waardenburg will be a popular pick while Pedro Bradshaw and Sam Froling are also viable options. If you need to shoot for the stars to claim an underdog grand final victory, make Trey Kell captain and hope for one of his high ceiling scores.

Originally published as Shot clock: Quickfire guide to setting up your SuperCoach NBL team for round 20