Basketball On The Internet.

MELBOURNE United started out as expected last night, taking out the Crocs in Townsville 99-84, favourite son Todd Blanchfield doing much of the damage.

Blanchfield finished with an NBL career-high 29 points, breaking his former best of 27 points, scored for Townsville against United last season.

When he wasn't swishing shots, Hakim Warrick was being an NBA presence as United overwhelmed the plucky home team.

Townsville kept coming to the end but was never going to haul back the deficit after halftime once Melbourne piled on the scoreboard pressure with the round's best run of 17-0.

Brian Conklin led from the front as the focus quickly shifted for both teams with matches again tomorrow.

But easily the most disturbing aspect of the night was the lack of attendance. The team deserves better. We all know what's next if Townsville doesn't support its NBL club.

DEREK Rucker is the first Fox-TV basketball caller I have no hesitation in rating at 10-out-of-10.

He is the best of the three so far, informed, professional, insightful, helpful and humourous where it's appropriate, he stood out as an absolute "find" for the network.

Matt Russell also continued to improve - "Iggy getting jiggy with it" shows he's already more comfortable - but sir, it's pronounced "Shen-Sher". If you can get Hadziomerovic right ...

BLANCHFIELD was certainly comfortable back at The Swamp.

His most uncomfortable moment was probably in the post-game interview when former teammate Mirko Djeric walked past and sneakily tweaked him on the nipple.

Tonight: Leaning to Cairns beating Sydney because I can't erase the haunting images of the Kings' feeble capitulation against Melbourne at the Blitz from my mind. Then again, you have to allow for opening game homecourt enthusiasm and the difference Josh Childress makes. But I still like the Taipans.

In Adelaide, if the 36ers get up - and my heart says they will - I'd be re-signing Joey Wright to a new contract. My head though says Perth will have too much size.

Last night: UNITED 99 (Blanchfield 29, Warrick 21, Holt 17; Majok 13 rebs; Goulding 11 assts) d CROCODILES 84 (Conklin 25, Steindl 13, Djeric 11; Steindl 7 rebs; Maynard, Norton 2 assts) at The Swamp.