Jack McVeigh hopeful of meeting Bryce Cotton in the playoffs

One of the keys in the JackJumpers pursuit of an NBL championship is eyeing off a playoff series with one of the competition’s best.

Jack McVeigh. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Tasmania JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh is eyeing a playoff series against Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton but knows there’s plenty still to play out.

The Jackies will take on Cotton and the Wildcats this weekend in the final game of the NBL home-and-away season.

While they’ll need to take a play-in game route to reach the playoffs series, McVeigh is already thinking big.

“I’ve always wanted to go against Bryce Cotton in a playoff series,” he said.

“You want to go against the best, that’s what every basketball player wants to do.”

The Scott Roth coached JackJumpers booked their third straight playoff appearance with a win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday night.

And McVeigh highlighted the achievement in the club’s short history.

“When we started this thing, we wanted to build something that is sustainable, that’s here long-term, that Tasmanians can be proud of.

“To make playoffs three years in a row, it’s good stuff. We’re definitely not satisfied, we’re heading in the right direction.

“Right now our focus is getting better every day.

“With the FIBA break, there is almost a week to week-and-a-half break. We have to use that time to improve, tighten up on things on the defensive end.”

With three straight wins to their name, the JackJumpers are one of the form team of the competition.

McVeigh is confident of his side’s ability against any other finals contender.

“I think we’ve always known this year what we’re capable of,” he said.

“We’re playing some good basketball, we’re excited about playoff basketball.”

Several weeks ago, Roth touted McVeigh as a future club captain.

But the main himself didn’t want to buy into the hype.

“I didn’t get a lot of winning before I got here so I’m still learning what winning means and trying to build that type of culture,” he said.

“Hopefully I can keep it going. But I’m happy to follow Clint into battle every single day.”

Saturday’s game will tip-off at 8pm.