“I’d appreciate some free throws”: Jackies star wants more ref love

It’s about as outspoken as Milton Doyle gets. He declared he’d “appreciate some free throws” after the JackJumpers star led his team to a win over Brisbane.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 04: Milton Doyle and Sam McDaniel scrap for a ball during Tasmania’s win over Brisbane at The Silverdome on Saturday. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)

Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle is the ‘quiet assassin’, but he has spoken up about wanting more love from the referees after he sparked his side to a crucial win over Brisbane on Saturday.

Despite shooting just 11 free throws to the Bullets’ 31, Tasmania held off a fast-finishing Brisbane 87-85 in Launceston to snap a two-game losing streak.

After scoring just seven points in last week’s loss in Brisbane, Doyle (24 points) exploded with 14 in the third quarter as the hosts moved to 5-4 for the season.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth believes Doyle’s unassuming nature is one of his biggest strengths, but it is costing him calls more animated players may receive.

“He’s super unselfish and he’s quiet,” Roth said.

“I think that quietness sometimes is mistaken and it allows him to play at a really good level. But it also is one of those things where he doesn’t get a lot of those calls, because of how his demeanour is.

“He’s not going to argue and go after refs or anything ridiculous, which is part of our culture anyway. I think sometimes people take advantage of that with him.”

“For them to go to the line 31 times and us 11, and a first team All-NBL player (Doyle last season) goes to the line four times, we fought adversity and got through it and figured out a way to win.”

Asked if he agreed with his coach Doyle, who shot just four three throws against the Bullets, confirmed he’s frustrated, but with his trademark nonchalance.

“I don’t know what it is, but I’d appreciate some free throws,” he said.

“I watch all these guys yell and scream every time someone touches them. Just because I don’t do that doesn’t mean I don’t get touched.

“It’s just how it goes here. It was the same last year, hopefully things change a little bit.”

Doyle was motivated to be more aggressive offensive after his quiet showing in last week’s loss to the Bullets.

A buzzer beating long range three just before halftime, only his fourth shot for the half, seemed to spark him.

“My goal in this game was to be a bit more aggressive,” he said.

“I watched some clips with the coaches before the game, I only took ten shots the last game and the game before that.

“I was just trying to get some more shots in and some fell in, which is always good.”

Bullet and former JackJumper Sam McDaniel badgered Doyle all game last week, and did a fine defensive job on the star guard.

But Doyle wasn’t shy with his words after he returned serve in style as the JackJumpers secured just their second win at the Silverdome in five games.

“It’s definitely always fun to play guys you’ve played with on teams that you just know,” he said.

“Last game guarding me he was physical, but I got the best of him this game and I let him know about it.”