<p>The NBL season tips off this week, marking the start of another huge year of hoops down under.</p> <p>With stacked rosters featuring big names from both home and abroad, it’s shaping up to be another tightly contested campaign in the world’s fastest-growing basketball league.</p> <p>The Illawarra Hawks rode a wave of momentum to claim the title last season, but it’s the Adelaide 36ers who head into NBL26 as Sportsbet’s pre-season favourites. With some major off-season acquisitions, they’ll be tough to beat in the race for the 2025/26 championship.</p> <p>Is it the 36ers’ title to lose? Who will make the Grand Final series? Who’ll rise, who’ll fall, and who’ll light up the scoreboard? Will a new MVP emerge — and which young gun could break out in a big way?</p> <p>To try help you answer all of those questions, read Sportsbet’s NBL26 Season tips &amp; predictions below!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 Championship Winner:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s hard to look past the Adelaide 36ers.</p> <p>The recruitment of Bryce Cotton and the way they have recruited the starting five around him is shaping up quite nicely for South Australians early doors.&nbsp;</p> <p>Turning a poor year into a Championship-winning one isn’t easy. However, this is a quality team on paper, and if they click on the court, they should make a deep run.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/nbl-championship-2025-26-9569109">Adelaide 36ers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 Total Points Leader:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s no surprise we’re backing Bryce Cotton to be the top scorer this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s been one of the NBL’s best offensive players for years, winning multiple scoring titles with the Perth Wildcats. Now with the 36ers, he’ll have plenty of chances to keep doing what he does best—putting up buckets.&nbsp;</p> <p>With the way the team is built, Cotton is clearly their main scoring option, and there’s every chance he averages around 25 points a game to take out the title again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-aus-other/australian-nbl/nbl-2025-26-player-total-points-leader-regular-season--9579357">Bryce Cotton</a></p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 League MVP</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As much as we probably think Bryce Cotton will continue his stranglehold over the competition, we’re looking elsewhere to find some value here and a genuine challenger to the NBL GOAT.&nbsp;</p> <p>Enter Kendric Davis, the new star guard for the Sydney Kings. He’s heading into NBL26 with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Especially after some early-season words exchanged with his former teammates.&nbsp;</p> <p>If he lets his basketball do the talking, Davis could give Cotton a serious run for the MVP crown.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Kendric Davis</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 Defensive Player of the Year</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The powerful Magnay is back to defend the island in NBL26 following an interrupted season last year.&nbsp;</p> <p>He led the league in blocks last season and constantly makes life tough for anyone trying to score inside. No wonder he’s one of Scott Roth’s favourites.&nbsp;</p> <p>Fully healthy and stepping up as a leader, he’s set for big minutes and an even bigger role on defence for the Jackies.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Will Magnay</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 Coach of the Year</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Consistency, culture, and defence.</p> <p>That’s Scott Roth’s MO and the way he has built something special with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Making him a strong chance again to take out the Coach of the Year gong in NBL26.</p> <p>He’s already proven he can take this team deep into the finals with less star power than some of the bigger clubs, and this year’s roster looks just as gritty and well-drilled.&nbsp;</p> <p>If the Jackies finish top four (or higher) and keep frustrating teams with their hard-nosed style, Roth will be tough to overlook when the coaching honours are handed out.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Scott Roth</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NBL26 Wooden Spoon</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Jack McVeigh has his chance to be ‘the guy’ on this team, but is it going to be enough to lift the Taipans off the canvas? Probably not.</p> <p>They have struggled with consistency and winning games over the last few years, only winning eight games last season.&nbsp;</p> <p>McVeigh aside, some of their other signings aren’t really anything to get too excited about either unfortunately. It’s a rebuilding year and looking like another long one for the team based in Far North Queensland.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Cairns Taipans</p>