The Matchup

After an extended holiday break which included a bye week to open 2018, the No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds (10-2) look to extend their eight-game winning streak to open the second-half of Canada West play on the road meeting the Lethbridge Pronghorns (10-4) this Friday and Saturday January 12 and 13.
 
It will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2016 Canada West Quarter final playoffs where the Thunderbirds defeated the Pronghorns in back to back meetings at UBC's War Memorial Gym en route to advancing to the Canada West final four.
 
This weekend's action tips off on Friday night at 7 p.m. PT at 1^st Choice Savings Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta while the rematch goes Saturday at 6 p.m. PT.
 

Last Action

Before the holiday break the 'Birds won back to back games against the Regina Cougars at War Memorial Gym. On Friday December 1, the 'Birds enjoyed a comfortable 96-73 win while the next night the hosts outlasted the Cougars with a thrilling 98-92 overtime victory.
 
Unlike the Thunderbirds, the Pronghorns opened the 2018 portion of the schedule last weekend dropping both decisions at the University of Manitoba.
 

By the Numbers

 
95.8 – The average number of points scored by the T-Birds who continue to lead the conference.
 
45.7 – The average number of rebounds the 'Birds record per game which is tops in Canada West.


 

Players to Watch

 
Conor Morgan (#9, F) – The fifth-year forward leads the T-Birds in scoring, averaging 25.0 per game.
 
Phil Jalalpoor (#7, G) – The fifth-year guard leads the team in three-point accuracy, shooting 43.2 per cent from beyond the arc, helping him average the second most points per game at 17.3.
 

Coach's Take

 
To stay as sharp as possible during the extended break the Thunderbirds snuck down to Las Vegas, Nevada to play in two exhibition tournament games where they came away with a loss followed by a win. Head coach Kevin Hansen is looking forward to finally getting back to Canada West action.
 
"It's the first time we've had the bye week coming out of the holiday season so it was a little bit of trial and error trying to make we were rested enough but we had a very good trip splitting the games in Las Vegas," Hanson said. "That was very good for us, getting some game execution time in against two very good teams and to have some time to bond together and reset some goals. "We've had a very good couple week of practice here, we had a great scrimmage against Douglas College last Saturday so the guys are ready and they're tired of playing each other which is always a good sign their ready for an opposition. It's always tough to start on the road but I think we've prepared very well."
 
Hanson also sized up this weekend's meeting against a Pronghorns team that is neck and neck with the 'Birds in the standings, the hosts having played two more games but even on points with 20.
 
"They're certainly capable of putting a lot of points up on the board, they transition probably better than anybody in the conference and they had a few key injuries last week which led to losses in Manitoba so it wasn't a true indication of who they are." Hanson continued, "We're presuming they'll be healthy this weekend and they have some very talented, athletic players who shoot the ball well so we have to control the tempo and stop their transition game."