A break in NBL24 didn’t stop us having plenty to talk about on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle with Cody Ellis and Simon Mitchell teaming up to discuss NBL season to date, update their predictions, find some jersey retirements at each club and to preview what's to come.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

This week's episode begins with a bit of a look back on the opening eight weeks of the season and we get Simon Mitchell's thoughts on what it's like watching on after years of involvement as a coach, why he's got the itch back and why that has included cutting up some vision and doing plenty of analysis.

We go back to our pre-season predictions too and update our thoughts eight rounds into the NBL season, but one thing that stays the same is that we're all sticking with Melbourne United as our championship favourites.

We've all gone with different picks for the MVP award showing how tight that race is while we agree on Luke Travers for the Next Gen Award at this point along with his Melbourne United teammate Shea Ili for Best Defensive Player.

It's a sweep for Melbourne United with Dean Vickerman our choice for Coach of the Year while things get interesting again for Most Improved Player with Sydney Kings centre Jordan Hunter leading the way.

On the back of the news the Perth Wildcats are retiring Damian Martin's No. 53 jersey, we had a fascinating discussion over who will be the next player at each NBL team to go up into the rafters.

With some obvious names like Chris Anstey, Mika Vukona, Tim Coenraad and Jesse Wagstaff, some more interesting names were thrown up Scott Ninnis to Mike McKay, Alex Loughton, Oscar Forman, Kevin Lisch, and some crystal balling for Nathan Sobey, Bul Kuol, Chris Goulding, Bryce Cotton, Mitch Creek and even Clint Steindl.

We then wrap up this week's episode with Simon and Cody giving their thoughts and predictions for the games in Round 9 beginning on Thursday with the Breakers hosting the 36ers, and highlighted with the Wildcats and Kings clash on Friday night.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).