The UBC Thunderbirds will be hoping for some treats and no tricks this weekend, as they take on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in a pair of home games on Friday, October 31, and Saturday November 1.
 
The 'Birds won their first game at War Memorial Gym against UFV last Friday, before heading to Langley and defeating Trinity Western the next night to make it a 2-0 start in head coach Phil Jalalpoor's first season at the helm.
 
"I think it's been a solid start of the season, especially with it being a new coaching staff and so many new players, we're all still getting to know each other, it's a big transition," reflected Jalalpoor. "So it's always kind of nice to get those two wins under your belt, it gives you a certain level of confidence."
 

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Despite all those new pieces to fit in, the Thunderbirds certainly showed well on the offensive end in their first two games, averaging 89 points per game as a team while shooting 47% from the field and 43% from the outside.

Fifth-year forward Tobi Akinkunmi leads the team in three-pointers made with eight, just two shy of his total from the entirety of the 2024-25 regular season. First-year guard Raj Dhadda is next on that leaderboard after shooting 6-11 from beyond the arc on opening weekend, while Nikola Guzina leads the team in scoring overall at 16 points per game on 70% shooting.
 
While certainly pleased with the final result of the first two conference games, Jalalpoor knows that there is still plenty of work that can and will be done ahead of this weekend and in the weeks to come.
 
"There's been a lot of positives with a lot of different guys, but there are still plenty of things we can get better on, so that's kind of our focus for now.
 
Specifically, going into this week, it's about the continuous battle to maintain concentration for 40 minutes. Not just quarters or halves. We're building to that and get there consistently by the end of the season. We need to get to our level and stay there for the entire game, maintain that sense of urgency…Then we can pick our spots to change up the pace, attack specific matchups and control the game that way."
 

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 The T-Birds have had the WolfPack's number in recent years, and won all three of their matchups last season. But the visitors will be coming into this weekend feeling good, after blowing out the UBC Okanagan Heat in their season opener and only allowing 57 points against them in the one game they have played.
 
"TRU have some new guys, they're very dangerous with a lot of talent," added Jalalpoor. "They started their season with a super convincing victory on the road. I think they'll maintain that same mentality coming here with nothing to lose. So, we have to be ready for that, the feistiness and the fight that they'll bring."
 
One of those new players is Jayden Stephens, a third-year guard who transferred from Rust College, an NAIA program in Mississippi. Stephens was dominant in his Canada West debut, recording 23 points and eight rebounds on 8-12 shooting against the Heat.
 
UBC will aim to keep their early season momentum going with a Halloween clash this Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (PT). The two teams will then rematch the next night at 6:00 p.m. (PT). CLICK HERE to get tickets for this weekend's action, or you can catch it all on Canada West TV, presented by BioSteel.