NBL: Scott Roth frustrated by FIBA break before Tasmania JackJumpers finals

The Tasmania JackJumpers are racing to the finish line of the NBL’s regular season but coach Scott Roth isn’t happy about the FIBA break interrupting his side’s playoff momentum.

The scheduled FIBA break between the end of the NBL regular season and finals series has Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth frustrated.

With just two rounds left to play, the Jackies are all but locked into another playoff appearance but there will be time to play with after the last game on February 17.

The Australian Boomers are locked into play 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers on February 22 and 25 meaning the pause button will be hit on the NBL.

And it makes very little sense to the JackJumpers mentor.

“I just think it’s a very unusual time of the year to do be doing this,” he said.

“Teams that they’ll be qualifying against are not overly strong in general and there will be some teams that won’t be playing in the finals and there will also be plenty of players to pick from in those areas.

“It’s a balancing act between where you are in the season, where you are on the standings.

Scott Roth isn’t happy with the FIBA break. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

“You’re talking about guys who are going away for seven, eight, nine days with travel. And then coming back for two days to get ready for a finals game.

“Those potential things are difficult and difficult decisions to be made. We leave it in these guys’ hands at the end of the day what they want to do.

“It’s a juggling act and the timing of it is not really good.”

During that period, Jack McVeigh might be away with the Australian team with his name touted as a possible selection.

Australia’s NBA stars won’t be involved.

Roth labelled as a “great” opportunity for McVeigh if he is elected.

Either way, McVeigh is going to be ready.

“It’s always an awesome opportunity, you never really know how those things are going to play out,” McVeigh said.

“But playoff basketball, playing in the NBL, it’s a crazy time, bodies are hurting.

“Whatever happens, you’re either locked in preparing for playoff basketball or representing the country, which are both awesome opportunities.”

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

Meanwhile, Sunday’s win over the Adelaide 36ers saw local product Jacob Richards make his NBL debut.

The 22-year-old entered the game with less than two minutes remaining after shaking off an injury complaint.

Roth spoke highly of Richards along with fellow Tasmanian Lachlan Barker.

“LB contributed in this game immensely with JC (Jordon Crawford) going down with some early fouls and held his own in there and is just as steady as a rock for us,” he said.

“Love the kid to death. And Richo is coming off another ankle sprain, we were hoping he would dress tonight and play.

“When we got back from Cairns he said he was ready to go. Great to get him out there, well deserved, a great kid.

“When you have Tasmanians playing with the JackJumper jersey on, it’s a special thing.

“Hopefully we will have more in the future.”

The JackJumpers return to action against South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday night.

Will Magnay. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

MAGNAY CITED FOR CAIRNS INCIDENT

JackJumpers big man Will Magnay was charged with unduly rough play after an incident in last Thursday’s game against the Cairns Taipans.

The incident was deemed as intentional, medium impact and low contact by the NBL’s game review panel.

The penalty for this classification is a one-game suspension, reduced to a $1550 fine with an early guilty plea.

The JackJumpers can either accept the early guilty plea or appeal the GRP’s decision.