The Matchup

 
Canada's number two ranked U Sports men's basketball team, the UBC Thunderbirds (2-0), will not rest during their Canada West bye week. The 'Birds welcome the NAIA's Northwest Christian Beacons to War Memorial Gym.
 
The Beacons are on a pre-season tour, which has seen them play both the NCAA's Boise State Broncos and the number four ranked Oregon Ducks.  The Beacons enjoyed a solid 2015-16 campaign, as they made it to the second round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Championships.
 
Games go Friday, November 11 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, November 12 at 5:00 PM.
 
 

Last Action

 
The T-Birds are coming off two convincing road wins against Thompson Rivers University. UBC took care of the Wolfpack 96-60 on November 4 and 78-67 on November 5. The two victories pushed the 'Birds up a spot in the U Sports national rankings. UBC sits second behind the perennial powerhouse Carleton Ravens.
 
The Oregon Ducks showed why they're the romantic pick to reach the NCAA's Final Four this season. Orgeon forward and Montreal native Chris Boucher was unstoppable against Northwest Christian going 10-13 from the field for 25 points in just 20 minutes on the floor. The Ducks prevailed 86-51.
 
 

By the Numbers

 
37-11 – the offensive rebound advantage UBC enjoyed in it's opening series with TRU. If the 'Birds take care of the glass with that much proficiency, their win loss record will look lopsided as well.
 

Game time 7pm Friday vs Northwest Christian (Portland). Game time Sat. 5pm. #GoBirdsGo #Usports #joinus pic.twitter.com/5dknqxLnYr

— Kevin Hanson (@UBCCoachHanson) November 10, 2016

 
9 – the numbers of T-Birds who have played 15 minutes or more a game so far this season. Although it is very early, those numbers illustrate the depth that UBC Head Coach Kevin Hanson has to work with in 2016-17.
 
 

Players To Watch

 
Will Ondrik – (#2, F) – was a force at both ends of the floor in the opening game against TRU, leading the T-Birds with 17 points and playing tight defence. If Ondrik can chip in on the score sheet, UBC's offence is all the more dynamic.


 
Taylor Browne – (#5, G) – was a fireball for UBC in the opener against TRU going 4-6 from beyond the arc and hitting for 13 points in only 16 minutes.
 
 

Quotable

 
"We are looking forward to playing Northwest Christian this weekend.  These will be two very intense games against a very talented team.  They have size, speed, and can really shoot the ball, " says UBC Head Coach Kevin Hanson. "These games will be a really good test for us and will serve as a great opportunity to challenge our players.  They should be very entertaining games for the fans so we are hoping to get big crowds out to both."