Nearly six months since their first exhibition game of the 2024-25 campaign – a 60-42 win over Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Mexico – it's now time for the UBC Thunderbirds to face off against some of the best Canada West has to offer as they seek to capture conference glory.
"The seasons are always long but when you get to playoffs, as a coach, you get rejuvenated," said Thunderbirds head coach Kevin Hanson. "This time of year your team is who they are going to be. We will prepare the same way we do for each game and will keep our routines as close to what we do every week."
The Thunderbirds' spot at the INDOCHINO U SPORTS Final 8 may already be secure by virtue of them being the hosts, but the players and staff will be eager to fight for the Canada West Championship, having last won it in the 2019-20 season. Their first test will be against either the Winnipeg Wesmen or the Mount Royal Cougars in the Canada West Quarterfinals on Saturday, February 22nd.
In part due to the various changes in playoff formats over recent seasons (as well as losing an entire season due to the pandemic), this Saturday will mark the team's first home playoff game at War Memorial Gym in six years.
"Playoffs have changed so often over the years that you just have to go with the flow," remarked Hanson. "Playing someone in a win or go home type of scenario should bring the best out of you right away. Who you play from this stage doesn't matter. You have to play your best to move on."
The T-Birds enter the postseason with a 15-5 conference record and are ranked No. 4 in the country. They are the third seed for the Canada West playoffs, earning that distinction by finishing second in the Pacific Division behind unbeaten Victoria.
UBC has boasted a very well-balanced offence throughout the season, sitting third in the conference in points per game (87.0) with only one individual player in the top 25 in scoring.
Adam Olsen is 11th in that category at 16.4 points per game, shooting 46% from the field and 39% from the outside.
Five other T-Birds average at least eight points a game:
Nikola Guzina (12.8),
Fareed Shittu (10.9),
Victor Radocaj (9.9),
Micah Jessie (8.1) and
Brendan Sullivan (8.0). Those last four players are all fifth-year seniors, giving the 'Birds plenty of veteran experience to lean on in the postseason.
The blue and gold won't know their quarterfinal opponent until Friday night, when the Wesmen and Cougars face off in a neutral site play-in game at War Memorial Gym. While their future opponent needs to get adjusted to the venue, Hanson is not taking the boost that comes with having home court advantage for granted.
"Playing at home is always the preferred situation. You never know what can happen with travel," he added. "Staying as close to your regular routine should give you the best opportunity to play your best."
Winnipeg enters as the favourites to advance to face UBC, holding the sixth seed for the Canada West playoffs but ranked No. 5 in U SPORTS with a 16-4 record. They sport the top-ranked defence in the conference, allowing just 68.7 points per game. Similar to the T-Birds they are balanced in terms of scoring on the offensive end, powered by Winnipeg native Shawn Maranan who leads his team in both points (14.8 per game) and assists (4.6 per game).
The Cougars are 10-10 and the 11th seed. The Calgary outfit started the season strong with a 9-4 record, but stumbled down the stretch losing six of their last seven games entering the playoffs. American guard Keivonte Watts is the offensive engine – he ranks third in Canada West at 19.9 points per game, albeit shooting 39% from the field and 31% from deep.
UBC has only played the Wesmen twice since 2020, splitting a road weekend series in Winnipeg back in the fall of last season. The T-Birds and Cougars faced off in the first round of both the 2022 and 2023 Canada West playoffs, with the 'Birds prevailing on both occasions.
Regardless of the opponent, the Thunderbirds will tip off their Canada West Quarterfinals matchup at 6:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.
