Jets are at long TAB odds this season

You'd have to be a diehard fan to back the Manawatu Jets to win the National Basketball League this season.

But the financial rewards would be handsome if they delivered.

The TAB has released the odds for the NBL this season.

It has installed the Jets as the rank outsiders, alongside Otago, at $80 to win the league.

As expected the Waikato Pistons are raging-hot favourites at $2.50, with the Nelson Giants at $4.75.

Waikato are aiming to complete a hat-trick of NBL titles and opened the season with a commanding 92-73 win over the Giants last week. Manawatu Jets coach Ryan Weisenberg said they hadn't shown they were worthy of shorter odds after Saturday's 115-81 loss to the Wellington Saints.

"I think it's illegal for me to put money on myself," the American joked.

"After Saturday night I think it's very fair. We haven't given everybody any reason to put us in the upper echelon in the league."

He said they would be an improved side when they host the Bay Hawks at Arena Manawatu on Saturday night.

"I think Ronald [Allen] is back and is ready to go for Saturday."

The Jets will need all of his 2.08m frame to help at the defensive end to pull down rebounds.

That was something which was missing against the Saints.

But if Weisenberg was allowed a punt, would he back his team at 80-1 to win the league?

"I would," he smiled.

The NBL's Player Power rankings have been calculated after the first round of competition.

American Richard Jeter is the highest-rated Jet at No21.

Point guard Matt Te Huna slots in at 30, while the rankings are led by Waikato guard Eric Devendorf, who scored 49 points on debut last week.

Otago import Antoine Tisby is second.

- © Fairfax NZ News