The Adelaide 36ers have expressed their frustration with the NBL’s scheduling, labelling their recent five-game road trip as the “worst” in their history. The 36ers’ struggles on the road have coincided with a challenging schedule that has seen them play extended stints away from home, leading to fatigue and a lack of home-court advantage.
The 36ers’ recent road trip was a stark reminder of the challenges posed by the NBL’s scheduling. The team endured long travel distances, faced packed schedules, and struggled to adapt to different playing conditions, ultimately losing four out of five games.
“This has been the worst road trip we’ve had in the history of the club,” lamented 36ers coach Conner Henry. “We’ve been on the road for 20 days, we’ve played five games in eight days, and we’ve had to travel thousands of kilometers.”
The 36ers’ frustration stems from the NBL’s scheduling practices, which often see teams play extended blocks of games away from home. This can disrupt team chemistry, lead to travel fatigue, and diminish the impact of home-court advantage.
“It’s a massive disadvantage,” Henry explained. “We’re at a disadvantage because we’re not playing in front of our home crowd, and we’re not used to the conditions. It’s a tough ask for any team.”
The 36ers’ struggles on the road have highlighted the need for a more equitable scheduling system in the NBL. A fairer schedule would ensure that teams are not burdened by extended road trips and that home-court advantage is maintained.
“We need to have a more balanced schedule,” Henry advocated. “We need to make sure that teams are playing a fair amount of games at home and away. It’s not fair to have teams on the road for weeks at a time.”
The NBL has acknowledged the concerns raised by the 36ers and other teams regarding scheduling. The league is currently reviewing its scheduling practices and is committed to finding a solution that addresses the concerns of its teams and ensures a more equitable competition.
