1980 NBL season

The 1980 NBL season was the 2nd season of the National Basketball League (NBL).

Off-Season Changes

Glenelg Tigers withdrew from the league.
Coburg Giants, West Torrens Eagles and Launceston Casino City Tigers joined.
David Claxton replaced Robert Young as Head Coach of Brisbane Bullets.
Adrian Hurley replaced Joe Farrugia as Head Coach of Illawarra Hawks.
Dean Donnollon replaced Bob Turner as Head Coach of Newcastle Falcons.

Regular season

The 1980 regular season took place over 18 rounds between 2 February 1980 and 8 June 1980. Each team played 22 games, against every opponent twice.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Ladder

Updated to match(es) played on 8 June 1980. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

¹Head-to-Head between St. Kilda Saints and West Adelaide Bearcats (1-1). St. Kilda Saints won For and Against ( 8).

²Illawarra Hawks won Head-to-Head (2-0).

³Head-to-Head between Coburg Giants and City of Sydney Astronauts (1-1). Coburg Giants won For and Against ( 22).

Finals

The NBL finals series in 1980 consisted of two semifinal games, and one championship-deciding grand final. All three of these finals games were sudden death.

Playoff bracket

Semifinals

Grand Final

Awards

Statistics leaders

Regular season

Most Valuable Player: Rocky Smith (St Kilda Saints)
Best Defensive Player: Ray Wood (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Coach of the Year: Barry Barnes (Nunawading Spectres)
All-NBL Team:
- Cal Stamp (Canberra Cannons)
- Danny Morseu (St Kilda Saints)
- Brian Banks (Brisbane Bullets)
- Herb McEachin (Canberra Cannons)
- Ian Davies (Launceston Casino City)
- Ken Richardson (West Adelaide Bearcats)