The 2011–12 NBL season was the 34th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of nine teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 7 October 2011 and 25 March 2012, followed by a post-season involving the top four in April 2012. The schedule was announced on 19 May 2011. The New Zealand Breakers successfully defended their 2010–11 title. Broadcast rights were held by free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One, in the second year of a five-year deal, through to the 2014–15 season. In New Zealand, Sky Sport once again provided coverage. Sponsorship included iiNet entering its second and penultimate year as league naming rights sponsor and Centrebet in the final year as the official sports betting partner. Spalding provided equipment including the official game ball, with AND1 supplying team apparel and New Era headwear. Pre-season NBL Sunshine State Challenge, a round robin competition with a final series, involving all nine sides, was held between September 22–24, 2011 in Rockhampton, Ipswich, on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Perth Wildcats were pre-season champions for the second year in a row. New Zealand Breakers pre-season Gold Coast Blaze pre-season Cairns Taipans pre-season 2011 China Intercontinental Club Championship Final Sydney Kings pre-season Melbourne Tigers pre-season Wollongong Hawks pre-season Perth Wildcats pre-season 2011 Cable Beach Invitational Perth vs. Singapore cancelled due to poor condition of the outdoor court. Townsville Crocodiles pre-season Adelaide 36ers pre-season 2011 NBL Sunshine State Challenge Finals Perth Wildcats win Sunshine State Challenge. Regular season 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 Round 19 Round 20 Round 21 Round 22 Round 23 Round 24 Round 25 Ladder 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 Townsville Crocodiles and Cairns Taipans (2-2). Townsville Crocodiles won For and Against (+51). 2Melbourne Tigers won head-to-head (3-1). Finals The 2011–12 National Basketball League Finals were played between 30 March 2012 and 25 April 2012, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final and final series, where the higher seed hosted the first and third games. Playoff Seedings New Zealand Breakers