UBL22 REGULAR SEASON Recap & Finals Preview

After seven rounds, four inter-state trips and twenty games, the highlight-filled 2022 UBL regular season has come to a close, with two rounds of finals all that is left standing between Sydney University and the championship. In what could only be called a successful regular season, Sydney University Basketball saw the men’s team finish atop the table undefeated at 10 wins and 0 losses, whilst the women finished with 8 wins and 2 losses, good enough for 2nd place.

With the announcement of the 2022 UBL finals schedule, we thought it would be no better time to review the regular season that has just passed, and also look forward to what lies ahead in finals.

Men: Regular season review (10-0)

Led once again by head coach Tom Garelpp, and new assistant coach Liam Cavanagh-Downs, the men began their season with a nail-biting 82-79 win over the highly-touted UTS side, with Mikey Yoong leading the team with 20 points and Josh Pain contributing 19 of his own, as the fast-finishing side cemented their status as contenders.

Playing host to both Adelaide Uni (AAU) and University of Sunshine Coast (USC) in round 2 of the UBL, the men continued their winning ways, knocking off AAU 98-54 in a demolition job that saw 1st year forwards Mitch Smith and Ignatius Mitchell each record 14 points and strong double-doubles. Backing up their dominant performance, the men showcased their class with a 31-point victory over USC (86-55), with 18 points from Josh Pain and an efficient 17 points from self-proclaimed spiritual leader Matt Wacher leading the way.

Round 3 saw the side travel across the country to Western Australia in a three-day trip, to take on newcomers Curtin University and rivals University of Western Australia (UWA), who got the better of the side in the 2021 UBL season. Once again, the men showcased their offensive prowess, recording a 108-82, with veteran Parker Dale demonstrating his experience to lead the team with 20 points. Looking to avenge last year’s defeat to UWA (that saw Sydney Uni lose their unbeaten record), Matt Wacher’s 18 points helped the men grind out a strong 72-48 win to round out the trip and see the men remain in 1st place at 5-0 at the halfway mark of the season. A highlight trip for many of the athletes, including a delayed 2 am flight back to Sydney the reward for excellent teamwork and effort.

Following two-week break, including a bye-round for Sydney Uni in round 4, and a week off for the UniSport 3x3 Nationals in Tasmania (that saw Sydney Uni men place 6th) and U20 Junior Champions in Mackay (featuring NSW representatives Matt Wacher, Ignatius Mitchell and coach Tom Garlepp), the men travelled south of the border to take on the Federation University Falcons. With some usual faces back in Sydney, the men relied on their extensive depth en route to a 121-48 win. Debutant Dan Morley recorded 17 points (including 4 three-pointers), whilst Parker Dale (19 points), Mitch Smith (19 points), Tom Roche (17 points) and Henry Anderson (17 points) also each contributed strongly in the scoring column.

Back at home for round 6, the men again faced two Victorian outfits in Melbourne University and Victoria University. Game 1 of the back-to-back against Victoria Uni saw the side take a 109-77 win, highlighted by double-doubles from Parker Dale and Matt Wacher, as well as some top-10 worth plays from Ignatius Mitchell. Another 100+ point effort (the 3rd of the season) led the men to an 8-0 record as they defeated Melbourne Uni 104-81. Josh Pain recorded 22 points and fellow starters Ignatius Mitchell (15 points), Matt Wacher (14 points) and Mitchell Smith (15 Points, 12 rebounds) each recorded strong numbers.

In the final trip of the season, Sydney University once again headed south to take on the remaining teams La Trobe University and RMIT for UBL’s annual Pride Round. With Sydney University sitting pretty top of the table and an undefeated regular season in reach, La Trobe came out of the gates firing - shocking Sydney Uni en route to an 18 point lead with just 5 minutes and 52 seconds to go in the game (you read that right). Not wanting to go down without a fight, Sydney Uni rallied late to cut the deficit to just three with 1 minute 40 seconds remaining. On the back of some Josh Pain and Matt Wacher heroics, Sydney University tied things up on the back of a HUGE Josh Pain three, before Matt Wacher stepped up and hit a corner three to give Sydney University the lead with just 40 seconds to play. The men would walk away unscathed, with Josh Pain’s 28 points helping the team to an 8 point victory (97-89) and ensuring their spot in the top 2

The final regular-season game of UBL22 saw Sydney University take on a tough RMIT outfit that pushed Sydney Unversity throughout the contest but ultimately come up short, as the Sydney Uni men pulled away for a gritty 86-82 victory, with another strong performance from Matt Wacher seeing him register 21 points and 8 rebounds.

The men’s team finished the season with an unbeaten 10-0 record in the 2022 UBL regular season, highlighted by a league-best offense (963 points for) and game percentage (138.56%).

Women: Regular season review (8-2)

With familiar faces Renae Garlepp (Head Coach) and Bec Dudic (Assistant Coach) at the helm, the women too started their season with a bang, knocking down cross-town rivals UTS 55-40, as they capitalised on the strong shooting of second-year guard/forward Holly Wills, who led the way with 14 points (three 3-pointers).

The women found their groove in round 2, as they routed the travelling Adelaide Uni (AAU) 90-36 in a game that was dominated by the women from start to finish. Most notably six (yes six), players recorded double-digit scoring efforts, with Kate Robson’s 14 points good enough to lead the team. In a more challenging second game of the back-to-back, the women overcame a slow start, to record a tough 74-69 point victory over the University of Sunshine Coast (USC), with 1st-year guard/forward Carla Pitman leaving her mark on the game with 22 points and 8 rebounds.

Round 3 saw the side travel across the country to Western Australia in a three-day trip, to take on newcomers Curtin University and rivals University of Western Australia (UWA). Once again, the women showcased their offensive prowess, recording a massive 101-57, with Holly Wills demonstrating her experience to lead the team with 23 points (five 3-pointers), in addition to 4 other players recording double-digit points. Looking to help cement her team’s spot atop the table, captain Sarah Wacher caught fire from beyond to arc, hitting five 3-pointers en route to 15 points and a strong 80-54 win to round out the trip. As with the men, the win saw the team hold onto 1st place at 5-0 at the halfway mark of the season. A highlight trip for many of the athletes, including a delayed 2 am flight back to Sydney the reward for excellent teamwork and effort.

Following two-week break, including a bye-round for Sydney Uni in round 4, and a week off for the UniSport 3x3 Nationals in Tasmania (that saw Sydney Uni women place 5th) and U20 Junior Champions in Mackay (featuring NSW representatives Georgia Genner, Carla Pitman and Inez Tanoi), the women travelled south of the border to take on the Federation University Falcons. After a slow start, the women relied on their depth to see out 84-38 win. Debutant Ashely Hanna recorded a near double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Carla Pitman recorded 21 points and Gabriella Nancarrow was a beast on the boards with 23 rebounds (!).

Back at home for round six, the women again faced two strong Victorian outfits in Melbourne University and Victoria University. Game 1 of the back-to-back saw the struggle early, and despite an efficient 21 points from Carla Pitman, go down 60-63, as they suffered their first loss of the season and were knocked off top spot on the ladder. In a positive sign, the women bounced back quickly to grind out a 64-61 victory over Melbourne Uni, with strong defence down the stretch ensuring the dub. Captain Sarah Wacher recorded 20 points (four 3-pointers) and fellow teammates Inez Tanoi (14 points, 7 steals), Carla Pitman (14 points) and Holly Wills (10 points) each recorded strong numbers.

In the final trip of the season, Sydney University once again headed south to take on the remaining teams La Trobe University and RMIT for UBL’s annual Pride Round. Looking to knock off undefeated ladder leaders La Trobe, it was tale of two halves for the women, as they started strongly to go into the halftime break tied up - before losing focus after the break, and getting themselves into a big deficit. However, unlike the men a late comeback wasn’t meant to be, with the side eventually going down 75-49 in a game they’d very much like to forget. Gabriella Nancarrow was a bright spot in a losing effort, recording 18 points on 9/12 shooting, in addition to 13 rebounds.

The final regular-season game of UBL22 saw Sydney University take bounceback against a tough RMIT outfit that pushed Sydney University but were ultimately outgunned, as the women pulled away for a comfortable 74-58 victory, with another strong all-round team performance including everyone getting on the scoreboard.

The women’s team finished the season with an 8-2 record in the 2022 UBL regular season.

Finals preview (men & women)

Regular season standings are set and the schedule is locked in - finals basketball is here.

So how does UBL finals basketball work?

The 2022 UBL season culminates in the first-ever UBL finals (cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19). Week 1 of finals is the semi-finals - this will see the 1st place side on the ladder take on the 4th place side, whilst the 2nd place side will take on the 3rd place side. This will occur in both the men’s and women’s divisions, with the winner of each game locking in a spot in the grand final to be held the following week. In this format there are no second chances, it is win or go home.

MEN

The men will open the semi-finals for Sydney University on Tuesday, May 17, taking on 4th place La Trobe University @ La Trobe University (Bundoora) at 2:30pm.

Arguably Sydney University’s toughest matchup of the regular season, the men will once again travel to Bundoora (Victoria) to take on a strong La Trobe outfit. Plagued by a poor opening 3 quarters, Sydney University will need to find their feet early if they are to avoid another 18 point-deficit. Coming off the back of a strong 21 points against La Trobe, look for Matt Wacher to make an immediate impact, whilst Josh Pain will look to repeat the 28 points he had against La Trobe last time out.

Ovie Magbegor has been a beast for La Trobe, averaging 9.38 points, 13 rebounds and 4.62 assists on 42% shooting, limiting his impact on the game will be key for Sydney University.

WOMEN

The Sydney Uni women are set semi-finals action on Wednesday, May 18, taking on 3rd place Victoria University @Victoria University at 12pm.

Victoria University was thorn in the rose of the regular season for the Sydney Uni women. Last time out, Victoria Uni handed the women their first defeat of their season by three points. Sydney Uni will be out for vengeance as they seek to lock in a spot in the grand final. Look for Carla Pitman to try repeat the efficient 21 points she had last time out against Victoria Uni, as well as team captain Sarah Wacher’s ability to light it up from beyond the arc.

Ebony Sans has been strong in UBL22, averaging 14.67 points and 6.33 rebounds, limiting her impact on the game will be key for Sydney University taking out a dub.

All the finals actions will be live-streamed at UniSportTv, so make sure you tune in to support Sydney University as they look to take out the first-ever UBL finals series and defend their 2021 minor premierships.