‘Digging ourselves a hole’: Scott Roth delivers frank assessment of JackJumpers recent form

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has delivered a frank assessment of their recent form following a second straight loss.

While it’s far from season over for the Tasmania JackJumpers, head coach Scott Roth believes his side is at the crossroads of their NBL24 campaign.

The JackJumpers suffered a second straight loss at MyState Bank Arena on Monday – a 98-93 defeat at the hands of New Zealand – and have now slipped to fourth on table with a 10-9 record.

Scott Roth delivered one of his most honest assessments of his sides’ form in the post-match on Monday. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

In what has somewhat become the story of their season, Tasmania failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities in the dying minutes with the game in the balance.

That included two missed three point shots from both Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford on a night where they combined for just 18 points and went at 14-29 from the field.

It left Roth as honest as he has ever been in the post-match press-conference.

“They (New Zealand) made the plays they needed down the stretch and we didn’t,” he said.

“It’s kind of been our recipe all season. We’ve had seven or eight of these types of games and we have not been able to really capitalise in any of them. It’s very difficult to give up 98 points in your own building and think you are going to win, and then you walk them to the foul line 34 times and we only shoot nine.

“We are digging ourselves a hole that we might not ever get out of to be quite honest with you. We could flip this around if we have enough grit and toughness or we can slip into the abyss.

“I think some of the adversity is actually really, really good for not only the players, but everyone involved, and I’ll be excited to see what kind of character and grit we do have.

Marcus Lee was just as disappointed post-game despite putting in his best game as JackJumpers player. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“The fact that we were even in this game is quite shocking but a credit to our guys.”

It wasn’t just Roth who was clearly frustrated post-match, with big man Marcus Lee delivering just as frank an assessment.

“Honestly, (I’m) p*****,” Lee said.

“This is not how these games need to go. As a team we are all p***** and we are trying to change this real quick. You will not see the attitude of this team change. We are going to keep working hard each day and keep battling.

Lee, who scored a season best 14 points, also took aim at the foul count (34-9) after he was fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

“If they (referees) are going to keep calling fouls that way, we are not going to stop being aggressive. We just have to find a way to finish those games out,” he said.

The JackJumpers will look to get their season back on track with another clash at MyState Bank Arena against Cairns on Saturday night.