After blazing to a 3-1 start to their U Sports Canada West men’s basketball season, the UNBC Thunderbirds ran into a bit of roadblock last weekend on their home court at the Northern Sport Centre.
The UBC Thunderbirds handed the T-wolves a pair of convincing losses which knocked them down a couple notches in the standings heading into their final games of 2019 this weekend in Kamloops against the high and mighty Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.
TRU (5-1) is tied for first in the conference with Alberta and the T-wolves (3-3, ninth place) will have their hands full trying to score against a team that's allowed an average of just 72 points per game.
“We always have a high degree of respect for TRU," fifth-year guard Saje Gosal told UNBC sports information officer Rich Abney. "Every year, they’re an extremely well-coached team with a ton of talent and this year is no exception. They've come out of the gate hot.
“We definitely have a redefined sense of what it takes to succeed at this level after (last) weekend and guys are in the gym grinding this week. We are incredibly optimistic about the year, but it'll take consistent commitment.”
The T-wolves will be paying close attention to Joe Davis, a six-foot-six fifth-year forward from Kamloops who leads the WolfPack while averaging 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists.
Through six games the T-wolves have scored on average 86.8 points, with fourth-year guard Tyrell Laing taking the lead in that department, averaging 22 points per game. Rookie Fareed Shittu has been a pleasant surprise and is making good use of his six-foot-six stature to become UNBC's rebound leader, averaging 8.2. Guard Vova Pluzhnikov continues to excel in his fourth season, averaging 18.8 points and a team-high 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals.
“I think we are starting to develop an identity as a group, which sounds like something that comes naturally, but it is actually critical to success," said Gosal. "Guys are understanding roles and flourishing in them. If we keep our common vision, and maintain this identity, we have unlimited potential for growth.”
After playing TRU in the second game of their doubleheader Saturday, the T-wolves have a bye next weekend heading into the Christmas break, and won't face another Canada West opponent until Jan. 3, when they take on the Dinos in the first of a two-game set. The T-wolves return to the Northern Sport Centre Jan. 10-11 to face the Fraser Valley Cascades.
