Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth highlights areas of improvement heading into must-win game-two semi against Perth
After going down to Perth in game one of their three game semi-final series on Friday, Scott Roth has highlighted areas of improvement for Tasmania’s return game on Monday.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has highlighted the foul discipline of his side as an area of improvement for Monday’s game two semi-final against Perth in the wake of Friday’s close loss at RAC Arena.
The JackJumpers finished game one on the wrong side of an 89-81 result despite a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter that saw the visitors take the lead before the Wildcats eventually responded.
It leaves the NBL’s newest franchise in a must-win situation for game two at MyState Bank Arena on Monday with Roth stating the foul discipline of his side as something that will need to be better if they want to take the series to a deciding third game in Perth on Wednesday.
“With us it’s just going back through our process and our foul discipline,” Roth said post-game on Friday night.
“Shot selection is king, especially in playoffs when you get into these grinding games. We just need to be better in those areas.
“It is the biggest difference in the game (fouls). When you are in someone else’s building and they are shooting 32 foul shots, it’s not a great recipe to overcome, and then you have to do something extra ordinary or shoot the ball incredibly well from the three to compensate for that so that discrepancy is a factor.”
After openly expressing his thoughts on how match officials treated NBL24 Bryce Cotton during the week, Roth refused to answer questions post-game on Cotton being fouled on 10 times in Friday’s matchup.
“We lost so I’m not sure how you would be happy about anyone scoring anything you predict,” Roth said when asked if he was happy to keep Cotton to 15 points in a follow-up question.
Star import Milton Doyle (12 points and six assists) felt his side limited Cotton’s impact but admitted they had to do a better job at doing the same on Cotton’s teammates.
“We took turns guarding him (Cotton) and did a good job but we let the other guys get going,” Doyle said.
“They had great games and it’s actually a team focus, not so much Bryce, we just have to do a better job.”
While Roth was quick to highlight the foul discipline as an area of concern in Friday’s loss, Doyle said they also needed to improve their decision making at the rim in game two.
“I thought we were right where we wanted to be but we just have to make some shots,” he said.
“We are a good team and got where we wanted to be so we just have to put up some points and finish the game. I thought we guarded right.
“Our shot selection and controlling the pace (changed after the early fourth quarter run). I thought we did a good job at different parts of the game but I think we let them run a little bit and then the foul discipline, shooting all the free throws, you can’t win like that so we have to be better.”
Tip off for Monday’s game is at 7.30pm.
More Coverage
Live stream: ‘Connected’ Suns hope core group brings success
While they may have won just one game last season, a number of factors have the South East Suns looking to raise their game this TNL campaign. Watch them LIVE on Sunday against Devon.
Reigning premier faces uncertain future, rival into recess
A reigning local footy premier has issued a call to arms with low player numbers meaning its flag defence could be over before it started, with a rival team already confirming it won’t field a side. Here’s what we know.