The Matchups

 
The UBC Thunderbirds (5-1) looks to continue their successful pre-season when they host the UBC Invitational. All games will be played at War Memorial Gym.
 
Thursday October 27
 
8 pm - Thompson Rivers vs. Lakehead
 
Friday October 28
 
5 pm – Lakehead vs. UNBC
7 pm - Wilfrid Laurier vs. UBC
 
Saturday October 29
 
5 pm – UNBC vs. Wilfrid Laurier
7 pm -  UBC vs. Lakehead


 
The 'Birds will get a chance to strut their stuff against two tough teams from the OUA, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
 
In 2014, UBC swingman Conor Morgan scored 23 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the 'Birds 74-49 victory over the Golden Hawks.
 
In 2012 UBC Head Coach Kevin Hanson called his team's play 'sloppy' as the 'Birds held off the Thunderwolves' fourth quarter charge to squeak out an 84-81 victory. Morgan and T-Bird All-Canadian Jordan Jensen-Whyte were first-year players coming off the UBC bench.
 

Last Action

 
UBC is coming off a very successful weekend at the Alberta Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton. The 'Birds took care of business on both ends of the court in a 94-70 win over Western and a 83-59 win against Nipissing.
 
Wilfrid Laurier is coming off a 1-2 road trip through Manitoba. They were routed by the Bisons 87-63, lost a squeaker to the Winnipeg Wesman 90-86 and rebounded with a victory over the Brandon Bobcats 101-76.
 
The Lakehead Thunderwolves played the same three Manitoba teams, beating the Bisons 77-72, losing to the Wesman 65-59 and then coming out victorious over the Bobcats 84-70.
 
 

By the Numbers

 
88.33 – the points per game the 'Birds are putting on the scoreboard this season. UBC is having no trouble filling the cup, if they can take care of the defensive end they will be a tough team to play against.
 

Look out below!! @Conormorgan09 has landed in Tapei! @UBCTBirds lead Tsinghua 47-34 at the half! #TBirdsInTaiwan pic.twitter.com/3A1jFdOJzm

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) July 13, 2016

 
20.8% - UBC's 3-point percentage in their last game versus Western. The 'Birds know they need to get that number above 30% if they want to be successful against the big teams in the CIS.
 

Players To Watch

 
Phil Jalalpoor – (#7, PG) – when the German-born floor general is hitting his outside shot, the 'Birds are nearly unstoppable on offence. When he isn't, teams are able to rotate more defenders on to UBC's big scorers.


 
A. J. Holloway – (#3, G) – when Holloway fills into an energetic sixth or seventh man role for UBC an extra dynamic is added to the team's attack and defense. Holloway's toughness and edge is a great asset to the 'Birds and gives them a spark off the bench.
 
 

Coach's Take

 
"Both the teams coming in are very good teams with very explosive players," said UBC Head Coach Kevin Hanson. "Both Lakehead and Laurier are tough, physical teams that will compete hard."
 
Hanson has been using a very long bench so far in 2016 and hinted we could see much of the same this weekend versus the two OUA teams.
 

Video session with the two seniors in prep for tourney. UBC-Laurier 7pm Fri. UBC-Lakehead 7pm Sat #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/wWSxzV7p5K

— Kevin Hanson (@UBCCoachHanson) October 26, 2016

 
"I like to share minutes at this point in the season. Not just to prevent injuries, but also to give younger players experience because you'll never know during the season when they might need to step into a larger role with the team."