Roth backs Jackies to find answers after hitting new low

They’ve just scored the lowest total in their short history, but defiant Jackies coach Scott Roth intends to back the current squad to work their way out of a 3-7 hole.

Jackjumpers coach Scott Roth speaks to his players during the loss to Sydney. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The JackJumpers reached a new low - literally - against Sydney, but coach Scott Roth has staunchly backed his current playing group to do the work to turn their season around.

Tasmania’s NBL title defence is teetering at 3-7 after Sunday’s 88-60 road loss to the Kings.

It’s the lowest score the Jackies have produced in their short history, the previous worst 62 against New Zealand in October, 2022, and in the franchise’s third game against Cairns in December, 2021.

The departure of reigning club best and fairest Jack McVeigh has badly hurt their offensive potency, and a long term injury to guard Sean Macdonald on season eve was also a massive blow.

The loss of Will Magnay to a shoulder injury for the Kings game proved too big an obstacle to overcome, particularly given the Boomers centre scored 16 of his 19 points in the last quarter of Friday’s defeat to South-East Melbourne.

Bul Kuol of the Kings competes with Fabijan Krslovic of the Jackjumpers. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

There’s no question the team is working hard and playing with intensity, but an offense which has scored less than 80 seven times this season has prompted some to suggest a change is required to revive the team.

Asked that very question after the game, Roth said: “I plan on keeping this group in front of me until something would happen. I would never discuss that in public.

“We’re not playing well enough offensively to win any games. We may not win any games the rest of the way out, I don’t know what’s going to transpire other than the fact the group we have has been wonderful. They keep showing up to work and they’ve been fantastic to work with.

“If we can’t (turn the season around) then I should just go home now. Of course we believe it’s going to turn around, and if it doesn’t then it won’t be for a lack of work.

“I thought our guys have been competing at a very high level for the last three or four weeks.

“It hasn’t gone in for us at any consistent rate. We had some open shots early in the game and that always will help you build some momentum. We’ve had open shots and they just don’t go in, and that snowballs into we can’t make anything to open up the floor a little bit.”

JackJumpers big Fabijan Krslovic said they’ll continue to put their nose to the grindstone and hope things click for Thursday’s road trip to Perth.

“It’s not a fun time at the moment, but by tomorrow we’ll be looking at film trying to find solutions,” he said.

Jordon Crawford drives to the basket. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

“Scott touched on it earlier, we can get to the point where we’re 3-25 going into the last game, we’re still going to have the mindset doing everything we can to solve problems.

“I hope you guys (media) never look at a game or question our effort and intensity. I promise you behind the scenes we’re doing whatever we can to find solutions, and not pointing fingers.”

Roth said they opted to take the cautious approach with Magnay as he nurses a minor shoulder issue.

“He jammed his shoulder a bit and by the time he got here (Sydney game) the range of motion wasn’t there,” he said.

“It’s no point risking him on a 36 hour turnaround, we stay here for another day then fly to Perth.

“We’re on the road for eight days, hopefully he’ll get some recovery at the beach and we’ll see how he goes by the end of the week.”