What's On

Your Guide to U.S. College Basketball in Melbourne

06. Aug, 2018

Block out August baller fans because basketball is heating up this month when four US colleges touch down in Melbourne town.

Drexel Dragons, University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, St. Mary’s Gaels and Loyola Marymount (LMU) Lions will each square off against Dandenong Rangers’ SEABL side, with the latter two colleges also playing against Victoria’s NBL team, Melbourne United.

The fortnight-long goodwill tour will feature high-profile college programs staring top-quality players and including a coast-to-coast list of promising Australian talent. It’ll also be the first opportunity for United supporters to catch a glimpse of the 2018/2019 squad as they begin their championship defence with these two pre-season friendlies.

For the University of Hawaii team, it’ll be their first trip to Australia (and their first foreign trip since China 2011). The successful Divisional 1 Rainbow Warriors 2018–2019 roster boasts a trio of Aussies: Owen Hulland, a 7ft, 230-pound power forward freshman from Adelaide; and two Melburnians, Redshirt freshman Mate Colina, who’s a 6ft11 220 pound centre, and senior forward Jack Purchase, who graduated from Carey Grammar and recently transferred to Hawaii from Auburn University.

Alley-oop over to a familiar college name to Aussie basketball fans: St. Mary’s. Since 2001, it is a program that has become a pipeline for potential Australian athletes making the leap to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Basketball. Both Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are recent NBA slam-dunk successes who have progressed via this pathway.

The upcoming season is no different for the Gaels as they travel to Melbourne with no less than five Australians in their squad.

Tickets are already selling quicker than LeBron James’ Lakers jerseys, so hit the bucket and beat the buzzer by purchasing soon. These are seven games from down town you just don’t want to miss!

Fixture

Melbourne United vs. St. Mary’s Gaels

Thursday, 9 August, 7pm

State Basketball Centre, 291 George Street, Wantirna South

Tickets

Dandenong Rangers vs St. Mary’s Gaels

Friday, 10 August, 7pm

Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong North

Tickets

Dandenong Rangers vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Monday, 13 August, 7pm

Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong North