These Round 6 Games of the Week are looking like barnburners! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
CM
Hume v Melbourne University
An exciting match takes place this weekend when the 1st placed and undefeated Hume Broncos host the 3rd placed Melbourne University. This is a game that is littered with stars and has some mouth-watering match-ups. We anticipate that Nicholas Masunda will have the defensive assignment on 5th leading scorer in the division Troyce Manassa, whilst a speedy match-up between Chris Elder and Shayan Mahboobi will leave supporters on the edge of their seats. This game will be won in the half-court, with both teams focussing on their half-court structures to get players involved in the game, will it come down to some sharp shooting from Christopher Kaba and Stefan Pomasan who are both shooting it over 37% from beyond the arc to open up the game for either side? Check it out this Saturday night at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium to find out.
CW
Bulleen vs Wyndham
The two Grand Finalists from 2022, who also happen to be the two only undefeated teams in 2023 go head-to-head this weekend on Saturday night at East Doncaster Secondary College. Both of these teams have been cruising through the opening 5 rounds of the season with big wins as the other teams continue to find their feet early on in the year. For Wyndham, it has been the Amanda Paschal and Dyani Ananiev show with both players showing their absolute dominance in the division averaging 22.8ppg and 18.7ppg respectively. For Bulleen, they’ll once again lead on star veteran Olivia Bontempelli who has done it all so far this year whilst shooting a wild 60% from beyond the arc. Emily Maltezos will provide ample support and do her best to curb the influence of Paschal. Do not miss this Big V Blockbuster!
D1M
Bulleen vs Warrandyte
Bulleen and Warrandyte face off on Saturday Night at East Doncaster Secondary College in what is set to be an exciting game. With both teams sitting at 3 and 3, it is a perfect opportunity for one to sneak ahead slightly and gain the head-to-head advantage early on. These two teams play a very different style of game with Warrandyte averaging only 27 points in the paint to be the lowest in the league, whilst Bulleen love getting to the ring, averaging 47 points per game in the paint. Michael Birt II will be looking to have a big influence in this one and continue with his 32 points per game average, we expect the size and length of the Bulleen guards to provide some strong resistance though. For Bulleen it’ll be young Joshua Uhr-Henry going to work against his old side, he has been brilliant since crossing to Bulleen, averaging 18.5 points a game to go with his 12 rebounds. What will Warrandyte do to curb his influence?
D1W
Warrnambool vs Craigieburn
This could be a shootout as Craigieburn head to Warrnambool to face the Mermaids at the ARC on Saturday night. These two sides average the most 3-point attempts in the league so it could very well be who shoots the better clip on the night. Mia Mills was outstanding for the Mermaids last week with 22 points, she will look to continue that form this week but will be faced with some strong opposition in Courtney Strait. Strait has stepped up in recent weeks for the Eagles, averaging 17.75 points per game and has helped lead her team back into some strong form. The Eagles will be hoping that form continues this weekend and that they can jump ahead on the ladder.
D2M
Mildura v Maccabi
An important game for Maccabi as they head up to Mildura to face the Heat. Maccabi realistically needs a strong performance to keep in touch with the finals race. They’ll look to Idan Shamis and Adam Klas to lead their team, with the two of them averaging 19.6 and 14.2 points per game respectively. They will need their bench to provide some help as they currently average the third least points per game off the bench whilst Mildura sit comfortably at number 1. This depth that the Heat have could cause some serious headaches for the Warriors, particularly on the big road trip. For Mildura, they’ve been doing it by committee with Cameron Gross, Sammy Gazzo and Dallas Brown all averaging double figures this year, whilst another 3 players aren’t far away. This will surely be a great game and the Mildura faithful will be out in force to get their team over the line.
D2W
Surf Coast v Wallan
We have an exciting match-up this weekend as the 5-1 Surf Coast host the undefeated Wallan Panthers who will be feeling fresh after coming off a bye last weekend. With Wallan not providing much of a threat from the three-point line early this season, they’ll have their work cut out for them going at Kim Hammond and Jessica Scannell who will be patrolling the paint for the Chargers. Kylah Collins will be looking to do a bit of everything as she usually does, she is an early MVP candidate with an average of 23 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists per game, we expect the Chargers to focus their defensive game plan around her and anticipate Jessica Scannell getting the job of slowing down her influence. It’s sure to be one of the best games of the season, be sure to get there!
VYCM
Blackburn vs Waverley
If you’re sitting at home on Saturday night and love some Big V History, get down to Mullum Mullum as there’s a very special and historic game for the Blackburn Vikings with head coach Glenn Rees coaching his 600th Big V career game! Yet to get a win after 5 rounds, the Vikings will be as eager as ever on Saturday to get their coach a W on such a special day. Mackenzie Keighran has been impressive lately averaging 20ppg shooting almost 40% from 3pt thus far this season. Bruggeman and Hamilton have been as solid as ever playing with great chemistry. Waverley on the other hand have had an up-and-down start to the year with a record of 3-4 and is looking to play more consistent basketball. Can the Vikings
VYCW
Casey vs Kilsyth
A Watson conference clash for our Youth Champ Women with the Casey Cavaliers hosts the Kilsyth Cobras for the first of 2 meetings this year. Casey have dropped just the 2 games this year whilst Kilsyth have lost just 1 early in the year and is now on a 5 game-winning streak placing them 2nd on the Watson ladder. Kilsyth's scoring power is second to none with the 2nd highest points with 525 whilst Casey, has played one game less with just 363 points. Casey will have to be locked in defensively to hold this Cobras group from scoring over 70 points in all games bar 1. With great matchups to look forward to, will Casey protect their home court, or will Kilsyth keep their steak going to make it 6 in a row?
YL1M
Altona vs Craigieburn
In a battle for 10th place, it’s the Altona Gators taking on the Craigieburn Eagles, both groups looking to find some form and struggling to swindle multiple wins together. Both with just the 1 win, Altona’s coming in round 5 over Collingwood, these two need this game to generate momentum. The Gators will be coming off a Saturday night game against Wyndham aiming for a 2-0 weekend. Craigieburn may look to run them off their legs, capitalising on their fresh bodies with just a Sunday hit out in round 6. This will be Altona’s first double header of the year whilst the Eagles took theirs on in round 4 splitting their weekend. It is crucial they are well rested and come out strong on a Sunday after a Saturday night game as fatigue will kick in and decision-making begins to impact the game even more. Will coach Jason Bryant be able to keep his boys focused and locked in for the entire weekend or will Craigieburn snatch this away on the road?
YL1W
McKinnon vs Coburg
Some big double headers for both the Cougars and Giants in round 6 as these two groups play Saturday night to then come across one another on Sunday at GESAC. Right next to one another on the ladder early in the year, the Cougars have played just 5 games to Coburg’s 7, it will be a competitive weekend for both groups. Two teams who shoot the 3 ball the least, this looks to be a physical game with both groups scoring over 30 points in the paint. McKinnon continuing to show their depth with the highest average points of the bench with 34 to Coburg’s 16. Will McKinnon’s depth come into play on Sunday as fatigue and tired bodies come into play? Coburg’s ability to put heat on the ring drawing fouls, shooting 24 free throws per game will give McKinnon the challenge of playing vertically with their hands out.
YL2M
Western Port vs Maccabi
The last team standing without a loss in Youth Two Men, the Maccabi Warriors are on the road heading to Western Port looking to go 7-0 to start the year. Defence seems to be a big reason for their success holding their opposition to an average of 68ppg. A team with contributors everywhere, the Warriors are hard to guard as they all score the ball. Western Port, on the other hand, have the highest points for Youth Two Men with 654 points in 7 games, averaging a massive 93ppg. So, we have a defensive powerhouse vs a dominant offensive-driven game on our hands this weekend. Keep an eye on Fibishenko who’s averaging a 22pt 11reb double-double to have another big game whilst the lethal combination of Alaimo and Simpson hope to take down this Warriors unit to give them their first loss for the 2023 season.
YL2W
Mornington vs Whittlesea
After coming up against one another already back in the opening round of the 2023 season in Mornington, Whittlesea travel again to get one back on the Breakers dropping the first hit out by just 10 points. Kijana Katramados off the bench had a massive game scoring 24 points in just 17 minutes back in round 1. The 4th quarter seemed to be the game-decider as the Pacers scored just 6 points to Mornington’s 17. Isabella Ryan top-scored for the Pacers with 15 points with Taylor and Locklier not far behind combining for 24. Whittlesea lost the rebound count by 18 last time, a possible point of emphasis in their return. Able to force 32 turnovers but unable to capitalise on the offensive end, the Pacers have gotten themselves on a groove recently, now on a 2-game winning streak, searching for their 3rd this weekend.
