Matchup
With their offense hitting a new level over their recent seven-game win streak, the no. 2-ranked UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team (20-2, 15-1) will put that to the test against the UNBC Timberwolves (4-12, 4-12) this weekend, as the Wolves make their first appearances in War Memorial Gym since the 2014-15 Canada West quarterfinals.
The 'Birds and Wolves will open their two-game series this Friday, February 3 with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. The re-match between the two sides is set for 7:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, February 4.
Last Action
Even amidst a remarkable season that has them placed second in the national rankings, the T-Birds' 127-62 win over the Brandon Bobcats last weekend was something special.
Seven players hit double figures in scoring, led by
Jordan Jensen-Whyte's 23 and a season-high 17 from forward
Patrick Simon, as the T-Birds poured in a program-record 127 points on offense, shooting a remarkable 53.8% from the field on a season-high 78 shots.
The 'Birds followed that up with a seemingly pedestrian 34-point win in the second half of the back-to-back, winning by an 87-53 score behind a dominant showing from Canada West's leading scorer
Conor Morgan.
By the Numbers
127 – Not only was the T-Birds 127-point onslaught against Brandon last Friday a single-game UBC record, but the mark was also the highest total recorded across all of CIS/U Sports in over five years, dating back to a 130-72 win by the Laurier Golden Hawks over the RMC Paladins on November 19, 2011.
20 – In the
other game against the Bobcats last week,
Conor Morgan's stat line of 20 points and 20 rebounds was the first 20/20 double-double of the fourth-year forward's career.
Players to Watch
Luka Zaharijevic – The 6-7, 255-lb forward is averaging 6.2 points and 3.9 boards per game in 13.9 minutes-per-game in conference play, shooting at a 52.2% clip from the field.
Â
Jordan Jensen-Whyte – With per-game averages of 14.6 points, 3.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in Canada West action, the senior guard's importance to the T-Birds' success cannot be overstated. In addition to the numbers, Jensen-Whyte is likely the most versatile defender in the conference.
From the Coach's Mouth
"Were really focusing on getting better week-to-week, hitting goals in terms of defense, and UNBC will test us in that area," said UBC head coach
Kevin Hanson. "I think they are definitely an underrated team – they're talented, they shoot the ball well and take a lot of threes, so we're going to have to defend well outside. They're scrappy, too, so we're going to have to battle hard for loose balls and boards, and make our shots count."
Â
