The Matchup
It's a battle of the top two teams from last season when the No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds (2-0) visit the No. 5 Calgary Dinos (2-0) for a weekend double header Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4.
After easily taking both games at home last weekend, the 'Birds begin a four-game road swing with maybe their biggest test of the season against last year's fifth-place finisher at the U SPORTS national championship.
The 'Birds and Dinos haven't faced each other since late November of 2015 splitting a double header in Calgary.
Tip-off Friday night at Calgary's Jack Simpson Gym is 7:00 p.m. PT while Saturday's rematch goes at 6:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
The 'Birds hit triple digits in two convincing wins over the Fraser Valley Cascades in UBC's home opener double header last weekend at War Memorial Gym.
The Dinos swept the UNBC Timberwolves with 69-53 and 85-75 wins in Prince George last Friday and Saturday.
By the Numbers
108 – UBC averaged 108 points through their first two games of the season last weekend, by far the highest scoring team in the Canada West.
45 – The number of average total rebounds by the 'Birds to lead the conference.
Players to Watch
Phil Jalalpoor (#7, G) – After a tremendous pre-season, Jalalpoor started Canada West play with a bang posting 26 points last Friday followed by another 10 on Saturday. The fifth-year guard leads the 'Birds with 18 average points per game.
Grant Shephard (#10, F) – The first-year forward is coming as advertised for UBC averaging nine rebounds per game and his 14.5 points per game has the 6'10" Kelowna native second in team scoring.
Coach's Take
Although it's still early in the season, this weekend's matchup with the Dinos is one UBC head coach
Kevin Hanson feels will be a real litmus test.
"I'm excited about this, playing a team we know is going to be good," said Hanson. "It's an early measure for both teams but I love getting on the road and seeing what our guys can do. It's a time to gel together, play through some adverse conditions and see where you are. You have to go through this as a team and I'm looking forward to getting a good sense of where we're at."
Hanson expects the 'Birds' long-time Canada West rivals to have a good atmosphere for what will be a pair of the biggest games of the season.
"It's their home opener and they do a good job of packing their gym, they've always had big crowds when we're there," said Hanson. "They're always tough in their gym but we've played pretty well when we have gone there. You need to get games that will make you improve."
