The Matchup
It's both a heated and historic rivalry that will take on a new level of hype and ceremony this weekend. The UBC Thunderbirds (4-0) versus the UVic Vikes (4-2) in Canada West women's basketball action.
For the 2016-17 season the two teams will play a home-and-home series seeing UBC travel to Victoria on Friday night (6:00 PM PT) and then a re-match at War Memorial Gym on Saturday evening (5:00 PM PT).
The Saturday game will be something special for both basketball and Thunderbirds fans, as the match-up will be the inaugural 'Thunderstruck' game. Attendees can expect lots of hype, excitement and entertainment.
The basketball will be an intriguing early season duel as well. Both teams have started the season strong and are riding four game winning streaks. The Vikes snuck into the U Sports top ten rankings this week, by taking the number ten spot in the weekly coaches poll.
UBC's all time record versus Victoria dating back to 1972 is 51-123 (cishoops.ca).
Last Action
Victoria was in Edmonton last weekend where they promptly swept aside the MacEwan Griffins (68-61, 74-52). The Vikes seem to be rounding into form after dropping their season opening series against Regina.
The 'Birds are rolling to open the 2016-17 Canada West season and turning some heads in the process. The young T-Birds, who regularly roll six first year players through their line-up, showed no fear in dispatching the Manitoba Bisons 80-47 and 71-55 in consecutive evenings at War Memorial Gym.
By the Numbers
13 – the lucky number of steals the 'Birds are producing per game, tops in Canada West, leading to fast break opportunities and easy buckets.
75.9 – free throw percentage of UVic thus far in 2016-17, good for second best in Canada West. The 'Birds need to be disciplined on defense and not let the Vikes clean up from the charity stripe.
Players To Watch
Jessica Hanson - (#11, G) – Hanson is fast becoming an impact player for the 'Birds, sitting third on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) and tops in assists (4 apg).
Kara Spotton – (#8, F) – the T-Birds' leading rebounder (7.5 rpg) will be embroiled in a battle for the boards with UVic's leading glass cleaner, Jenna Bugiardini. Bugiardini is pulling down 9.7 boards a night, good for second spot on the Canada West leader board.
Coach's Take
UBC Head Coach
Deb Huband did not hesitate in pointing to the UVic fifth-year veterans as the focal point of her team's defense.
"A lot is on the line with bragging rights. Bugiardini and (Nicole) Karstein are tough match-ups. Both are dynamic, undersized post players that do a lot for them," says Huband. "They also have a tough, determined and competitive point guard in (Jenna) Krug. Those three are obviously people we have to key on."
Huband also looks forward to the excitement that surrounds the new home-and-home format between the teams.
"We really look forward to having them here with the Thunderstruck event. This is the game we want to feature for an event like this."
