SuperCoach NBL: Michael Randall reveals his (almost) final line-up

The season-opener is hours away and hoops expert Michael Randall has locked in his team for SuperCoach NBL, plus some late mail that could change everything.

This is my SuperCoach team ... as of 10.49pm on Wednesday evening.

This may or may not be my SuperCoach team at 7.29pm on Thursday before we hit our first lockout ahead of the Melbourne United v South East Melbourne season-opener.

The keys here are cheapies Taran Armstrong and Josh Bannan. Brisbane’s Bannan was my first-picked player, but strained a medial at the Blitz and needs to get through training on Thursday to receive the all-clear. It’s an injury that still concerns me – even if he’s passed fit we might find the Bullets roll with DJ Mitchell as the starting four and Bannan is limited off the bench.

I have young Taipans point guard Armstrong at the moment, because he looked brilliant at the Blitz – and due to a dearth of genuine cheapie guards who look likely to have an immediate role conducive to SuperCoach.

I’ve got the two most expensive players in the game in Mitch Creek and Bryce Cotton but, If Armstrong isn’t available, that changes everything. In that event, I will probably downgrade Bryce and upgrade the Tasmanian – and Anzac Rissetto at back-up centre (stick with me, more on the big Kiwi later).

I’ve gone with Phoenix’s replacement for Alan Williams, NBL Blitz MVP Tyler Cook, in the hope he’ll continue to score well and make bulk cash, giving me an opportunity to trade him to a premo – potentially Big Sauce when he returns to replace Cook.

Make sure Melbourne United’s Luke Travers is in your SuperCoach plans. Picture: David Crosling

Ariel Hukporti is my starting centre. I flip-flopped a little on the United big man over the journey, but his last game at the Blitz sold me and, with the Next Star’s ability to produce at both ends at that price, I can’t ignore him.

I’ve said enough about United’s Luke Travers. Just pick him.

Wildcats Next Star Alex Sarr has role clarity and opportunity in Perth – more so than teammate Ben Henshall, who I love, but have the heebie jeebies about how much burn he’s going to get in the regular season, especially with the arrival of another elite mouth to feed in Kristian Doolittle. I’ve got both teens at the moment, but could have a change of heart on the WA guard.

Lachlan Olbrich should command a role in Illawarra, especially given the Hawks’ lack of size upfront and the big SA native’s eye-catching performances on the Gold Coast.

Just to finish on Rissetto, the Phoenix development player who has been elevated for the injured Gorjok Gak – I’m either a genius … or a complete fool.

Wildcats star Bryce Cotton is in Mick’s team ... for now. Picture: Brendan Radke

I floated Anzac on the Basketball Blokes podcast as the only bottom-priced player worth considering, drawing plenty of sniggers from the social media peanut gallery.

Phoenix coach Mike Kelly’s a big fan, they don’t have another centre outside of Tyler Cook at the moment, and he only needs to score five to make money.

Don’t let me down, Big Anzac.

STARTERS

FWD: Mitch Creek

FWD: Tyler Cook

CTR: Ariel Hukporti

GRD: Bryce Cotton

GRD: Luke Travers

BENCH

FWD: Alex Sarr

FWD: Lachlan Olbrich

CTR: Anzac Rissetto

GRD: Taran Armstrong

GRD: Ben Henshall

Michael Randall's updated SuperCoach NBL team.

Originally published as SuperCoach NBL: Michael Randall reveals his (almost) final line-up