VANCOUVER - With the Bell NBA All-Star Challenge in town, the UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team (9-3) will look to put on a show of their own, as they host the Regina Cougars (7-3) in a back-to-back set this weekend.
 
The first game of the series is set to go at 8:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, January 22, while opening tip-off for the rematch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, January 23. Both games will take place at War Memorial Gym.
 
Last weekend against the Manitoba Bisons, the 'Birds flashed the kind of resiliency that they're going to need to make a serious run at the national title. In the first of two contests, Friday's matchup saw the T-Birds drop a heartbreaking 66-64 decision to the host Bisons, despite a massive push that saw them outscore Manitoba 17-4 over the last five minutes of play.
 
Unfazed by the previous night's result, the 'Birds went out and made a statement the next night, eventually earning a 76-66 win. The T-Birds stormed out of the gate, outscoring Manitoba 20-9 in the first quarter. Overall, the 'Birds were driven by their dynamic duo at guard, with Phil Jalalpoor netting a game-high 19 points, adding four assists, while Jordan Jensen-Whyte notched 18 points and a game-high five dimes.
 
Coming off of a bye week, one wouldn't expect Regina to be still riding momentum from their last performance. However, the Cougars' 95-60 dismantling of the Trinity Western Spartans on January might prove the exception, as the dominating performance generated quite a bit of momentum.
 
The Cougars put on an offensive clinic against the Trinity Western - including guard Aaron McGowan, who led with 16 points, the Cougars had six players hit double-digits in scoring, highlighting their balanced attack. In their own end, Regina held the Spartans to just under 35% shooting, forcing poor shots all night with relentless hustle. The Cougars also combined excellent timing with their effort, resulting in 12 steals on defense.
 
Every ounce of that offensive depth will be needed this weekend, as, while the Cougars are ranked first among Canada West teams in scoring offense (83.9 points-per-game), they are only 0.4 points ahead of the second-ranked Thunderbirds (83.5).
 
To say this could be an explosive series might be an understatement.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim returns to Vancouver for T-Birds basketball game

 
The Bell NBA All-Star Challenge presented by AIR MILES is making its way across Canada ahead of the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, and on Saturday, January 23, the competition will make its way to UBC's Point Grey campus. Saturday's festivities, culminating with the Thunderbirds men's and women's double-header against the Regina Cougars, will be headlined by an  appearance by former Vancouver Grizzlies icon Shareef Abdur-Rahim, an NBA skills competition, and NBA dancers. The NBA will be rolling out the full big-league experience at War Memorial Gym during the two Thunderbird basketball games, as sponsors Bell, Samsung, BMO, and AIR MILES will be doling out prizes, giveaways amidst a host of interactive exhibits and performances.