VANCOUVER - There is nothing quite like a rivalry game to kick-off a regular season and that is exactly what is going to happen this Friday at War Memorial Gym when the UBC Thunderbirds and Trinity Western Spartans basketball teams go head to head on day one of the Canada West regular season.  The women tip-off at 6 p.m. with the men going at 8 p.m.

Video webcast: SCTV
Radio: CiTR 101.9 FM

These two lower mainland Universities have developed quite the feud since TWU joined the CIS in 1999 and it hit fever pitch this winter when the T-Bird men defeated the Spartans 2-0 in the Pacific Division Final thanks to a thrilling 83-80 victory in game two of the series. 

The UBC men were 4-1 versus TWU last season but with big changes on both rosters Friday night's tilt between two of the best teams in the CIS will be a watershed moment in the battle for first in the newly named Canada West's West Division. 

This is one of only two meetings between these teams in the shorter 18 game regular season schedule following conference realignment over the summer - they played 23 last year - with their only other contest coming in the season finale on February 13, 2010.

The women's game features a pair of programs going in potentially different directions with the T-Birds looking to earn their place alongside Simon Fraser as the class of the West.  The Spartans on the other hand have seen six of their players who opened with them at training camp not playing due to injury, illness, and early graduation. 

For UBC this would be a return to prominence that has seen them capture three of the last six Bronze Baby's as CIS Champs. Last season they struggled early in the season after losing their top three players from their 2008 CIS Championship squad before going on a 10-2 run at the end of the year that included a 2-0 sweep of Victoria in the first round of the playoffs.

The T-Birds owned last season's series versus TWU 2-1 with an 80-48 home win and a 55-52 triumph in Langley. The Spartans' lone victory was a 54-48 decision on the road in Vancouver.

A look at the Thunderbirds (men)
After losing three starting fifth-years from last year's CIS silver medalists, the T-Birds are going to rely on their outstanding depth and a strong recruiting class to limit any drop off.  Their offence begins with point guard Josh Whyte, a 2008-09 CW all-star, who should be among the top guards in the CIS this year.  Fifth-years Blain LaBranche, a stone cold shooter, and Kyle Watson, a do-it-all forward, provide leadership and continuity from last year, as does standout Brent Malish who has led the T-Birds in rebounding the last two years while chipping in double figure points.  Other key returnees are posts Graham Bath and Balraj Bains, point guard Alex Murphy, and guards Nathan Yu and Akeem Pierre all of whom are expected to take bigger roles in UBC's extremely deep rotation. Kamar Burke, Denny Dumas, and Melvyn Mayott are three newcomers with previous university experience and are going to play big roles for the T-Birds with first-years Chad Posthumus and Tommy Nixon seeing court time as well.

A look at the Thunderbirds (women)
Last season the T-Birds had  just two seniors, both fourth years, and all the experience gained by their talented but young lineup is expected to pay big dividends this year. Despite the loss of CIS Defensive Player of the Year Leanne Evans, the T-Birds return almost every major piece of their 2008-09 roster that was a top 10 team over the second half of the season.  Post Zara Hutnley will have to continue her impressive development that saw her lead UBC with 15 points per game in the playoffs. Fourth year Montanna Dunmore and second-year Leigh Stansfield are two other big bodies that will contribute down low. Fourth-year guard Devan Lisson is now fully recovered from an ACL injury and will be one of two leaders in the backcourt alongside fifth-year Candace Morisset, one of the league's top defensive stoppers. Third year Alex Vieweg and second year Lia St. Pierre are two youngsters that can put up points in a hurry and provide UBC with tonens of flexibility in their lineup. Fellow returnees Chloee St. Amour and Arianne Duchesne are two Quebec natives who will also contribute. Newcomers Virginia Watson, a BCCAA first-team all-star at Langara, Erika Vieweg and Tori Spangehl - both high school standouts - will also feature in the T-Bird rotation.

A look at the Spartans (men)
Last year, under rookie head coach Scott Allen, the Spartans had their best season in the CIS, finishing third in Canada West at 20-10 and a No. 10 CIS ranking. The Spartans were led by CIS Player of the Year forward Jacob Doerksen, who averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, and this year, bolstered by a list of strong recruits, should have plenty of help despite the loss of two starting fifth-years in Brian Banman and Jamie Vaughan. Two key additions for the Spartans are NCAA transfers forward Tyrell Mara (Portland) and guard Calvin Westbrook (Div. II Stanislaus). A total of 10 new faces joined the Spartans this off-season with BCCAA player of the year Clint Wickham headlining the rest of the list.  Top returness include guard Louis Hurd, who averaged 13 points per game last season,  and big men Jason Keegstra and Lance Verhoeff.

A look at the Spartans (women)
There are question marks throughout the Spartans lineup as TWU has dealt with injuries, illness, and early graduations that have severely altered their 2009-10 roster. The Spartans do return starters from last season's playoff team in fifth-years Lauren Doubroff (9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game) and Amanda Knauff (6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game).  That duo gives TWU a strong presence down low going into the season.  Other returnees to the roster include forward Jordan Verhoeff (6.8 points and 4.3 points per game) and guards Keely Goertzen and Stephanie Carkner. Young players that the Spartans will need to rely on include forward Holly Strom out of Calgary's Centennial High and Karla Josefson who played for Port Coquitlam's Riverside.