It is a conundrum that sa国际传媒 West basketball crowds in CARSA Gym, a state-of-the-art facility, have not matched those that used to watch the University of Victoria Vikes in the older and less-appealing McKinnon Gym.
Admittedly, the old mega-winning Vikes results haven鈥檛 been there, either, the past few seasons.
But last week, it was just like old times, as fans packed CARSA for the sa国际传媒 West set against arch-rival UBC Thunderbirds. The Vikes hope that atmosphere continues for another sa国际传媒 rivalry weekend tonight and Saturday at CARSA against the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack of Kamloops.
鈥淚t was great to see the gym full last weekend,鈥� said Vikes men鈥檚 head coach Craig Beaucamp. 鈥淗opefully, we can put a good product on the floor and make them want to come back.鈥�
The Vikes, indeed, have a decent product this season at 10-4 in conference with a playoff berth clinched. The goal now is to secure either a first-round playoff bye with a top-four finish in sa国际传媒 West or at least home-floor advantage in the first round.
鈥淲e鈥檝e qualified for the playoffs so it鈥檚 not do-or-die for us this weekend,鈥� Beaucamp said.
Coach Scott Clark鈥檚 WolfPack, controlled and methodical, has also clinched a playoff berth and is 11-3 in conference.
鈥淸The Wolfpack] do not beat themselves,鈥� said Beaucamp.
鈥淭hey play a Princeton-style offence with lots of screens and cutting.鈥�
The UVic Vikes women鈥檚 team (7-7) will try to stem a five-game losing skid. It seems like another century ago, but it was only earlier this season, that the Vikes were ranked in the U Sports national top-10 poll.
鈥淲e鈥檝e used this opportunity to learn some hard lessons,鈥� said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair.
The room is not down, she noted. 鈥淲e have enough talent here for a deep run,鈥� Sinclair said. 鈥淥ver the years, this group has always shown an ability to respond.鈥�
Crucial is the five-game home stand, which began last Saturday against UBC and continues this weekend with the two games against the WolfPack and next weekend with two against the Manitoba Bisons. 鈥淚t鈥檚 huge and will define our season,鈥� Sinclair said. 鈥淚t was a great crowd and the place was electric last weekend against UBC.鈥�
Thompson Rivers comes in this weekend tied with UVic at 7-7 in sa国际传媒 West.
鈥淸The Wolfpack] lead the conference in three-point attempts. If they鈥檙e on, they鈥檙e dangerous,鈥� Sinclair said.
