The key to United’s epic season

Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman has revealed the club's decision making is a key reason why they enter Round 13 four games clear in top spot at 14-3.

“A lot of these games recently, we’ve made really quick decisions and shared the basketball well,” Vickerman told MU Media.

“I think that’s where we’re most potent, where everyone can get involved and we can get six or seven guys in double figures.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Clark &amp; Dean Vickerman spoke to the media following today&#39;s practice as the team prepare to hit the road throughout January. <br>Watch their full interviews here:<br>Ian: <a href="https://t.co/6iaPtryIxU">https://t.co/6iaPtryIxU</a><br>Dean: <a href="https://t.co/Rdmym2ZPcI">https://t.co/Rdmym2ZPcI</a> <a href="https://t.co/TDFbs4Ynfs">pic.twitter.com/TDFbs4Ynfs</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1739867290953535879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Import Ian Clark was a force off the bench in United’s epic Open Air overtime win against the Perth Wildcats last Saturday night, scoring 25 points, with 13 of those being scored in overtime. 

Clark added to Vickerman’s comments, and acknowledged the next-man-up mentality the group shares.

“Having everybody come into their roles and understand who they’re going to playing with in game time,” Clark said.

“Having a full group here where guys can give their all, because we’re such a deep team. You can give your all for however many minutes you’re out there, and know that there’s guys coming in and doing the same thing.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How good were these two last night?! <a href="https://t.co/kwoATPjEZK">pic.twitter.com/kwoATPjEZK</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1738680912059969609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With big game players comes big personalities on the United side and Vickerman is hoping they'll shine on an upcoming road trip.

United won't play at home until February 3, with the Australian Open taking over John Cain Arena. Melbourne will travel to Cairns, Sydney (twice), Adelaide, New Zealand, Tasmania and Brisbane in the long road stretch, as it looks to remain undefeated away from home. 

“There’s a few guys on our team that really like to silence crowds, and they enjoy that part of the experience of playing basketball," Vickerman said. 

“It’s really an engagement for us. Just by yourself on the road, locked in, your bench is really the only ones who are barracking for you and giving information that we’ve come together well in those moments. We’ll let it continue.”

United will look to remain undefeated on the road when they face the Taipans on Sunday night at 7:30pm AEDT. The game will broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo Sports.