鈥淐algary is a very deep team with lots of returnees from the national-finalist team and with some good newcomers. We are going to have our hands full,鈥� said University of Victoria Vikes coach Craig Beaucamp.
鈥淭he Dinos can hurt you in a lot of different ways.鈥�
The key returnee for the Dinos is the dynamic Thomas Cooper, the reigning sa国际传媒 West MVP, who can rip open a game by himself.
The Vikes answer with homecourt advantage after splitting their sa国际传媒 West season-opening set 1-1 last weekend in Regina against the Cougars. The Dinos also split their opening weekend against the Manitoba Bisons.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e shooting on your own hoops and sleeping in your own beds . . . I always think playing at home is worth six to 10 points per game for the host team,鈥� said Beaucamp. 鈥淏ut that said, you still have to execute.鈥�
Key to that will be Vikes guard Wayne Tucker, who had a fine all-round two-game set last weekend in Regina.
Meanwhile, the Vikes women鈥檚 hoops team takes on Calgary (2-0) tonight and Saturday in the CARSA gym after dropping their first two games last weekend in Regina against the top-ranked Cougars.
It was a difficult opening assignment against the top-rated team in the country, admitted Vikes coach Dani Sinclair, but she wanted to see more out of her players.
鈥淲e were passive defensively and let Regina play to its strengths,鈥� said Sinclair.
鈥淲e have to get going defensively. That in turn opens up easy opportunities at the other end.鈥�
The Dinos aren鈥檛 the Cougars, but they still present a few issues.
鈥淐algary is a big and physical team,鈥� added Sinclair.
Tonight鈥檚 women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 games are at 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday鈥檚 start times are 5 and 7 p.m.
