The UBC Thunderbirds took one on the chin from the Victoria Vikes last weekend, but they have the opportunity to bounce back this week with another pair of high-profile matchups.

After taking on the #1 team in the country, the T-Birds dropped from #2 to #3 in the U SPORTS national rankings. Next up is the team that took that #2 spot from them, the Calgary Dinos.

The second game of this weekend's series, on Saturday, November 23rd, is UBC's annual Courtside festival. Courtside always brings a big, energetic crowd of Thunderbird supporters.

"I think as an athlete you really want to have those types of atmospheres," said Thunderbirds head coach Kevin Hanson. "These games are fun to play in, fun to coach in and I think fun to be at…it should be some good basketball."



Now 4-2 in Canada West play, the T-Birds still look to be in fine shape as they've made it now a quarter of the way through the season.

On offence, they are the second-most efficient scoring team in the conference, shooting 48% from the field. On the defensive end, they play aggressive, shown by their average of 10 steals a game (second in Canada West) but also by their average of 21.5 fouls per game (most in Canada West).

"We're trying to use fouls more strategically this year," added Hanson. "If you can stop runs on certain teams, or in crucial situations make them earn it from the free throw line, then that's a style we're going to play. But defence is a real focal point of what we're trying to change, so we're spending a lot of time in practice working on different tactics."



The Dinos aren't a team that you want to send to the free throw line, as they shoot 81% from the stripe as a collective.

Nate Petrone is the engine of the high-powered Calgary offence. The fourth-year guard is the only player ranked in the top five in Canada West for both points (22 per game) and assists (5.5 per game) with blistering 67/63/92 shooting splits. Forward Dylan Lutes is also off to a hot start, averaging 11 points while shooting 58% from three-point range.

Calgary sits at 6-0 on the season, but this will be their first test against nationally-ranked opposition. The Thunderbirds are led offensively by Adam Olsen, who's tied for second in the conference in three-pointers made (18) while shooting 43% from the outside on high volume. Fareed Shittu is coming off his biggest performance of the season with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists last Saturday against the Vikes.



Going from UVic to Calgary in the span of two weeks is as tough of a test as any team will have this season, but Hanson enjoys the opportunity to go against the best U SPORTS has to offer.

"It's good to be playing top-level teams in the country, it's the best way to get better," he said. "It's great to play these games, and love playing them at home."

Friday's high-profile clash between the 'Birds and the Dinos begins at 7:30 p.m. (PT). They play again at Courtside on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (PT), inside War Memorial Gym.