The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack kick off the 2019-20 Canada West men's basketball season this weekend.
The WolfPack will entertain the Trinity Western University Spartans at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday and Saturday (Nov 1-2). Friday's tip off is set for 5 pm while the Saturday game will begin at 7 pm.
BACKGROUND:
Both these teams are looking to rebound from seasons where they failed to qualify for the Canada West playoffs. The WolfPack finished at 6-14 in 2018-19. The Spartans were dead last in the league as they were winless in 20 games.
Trinity Western has a new head coach in Trevor Pridie. He comes to the Spartans after spending the past year as an assistant coach with the Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors G League team. Pridie was the head video coordinator with the team along with being involved in practices and player development.
The WolfPack return six players from last year's team including fifth year players
Joe Davis (Kamloops, BC),
Michael Rouault (Vernon, BC) and
Anton Bilous (Cerkassy, Ukraine). The other fifth year player on the WolfPack is
Kyrin Cybenko (6'6" forward, Saskatoon, SK). He red shirted last season after coming over from the UBCO Heat
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Trinity Western:
Jack Niadelhoffer ( 6'7", 5th year, forward, Tigard, Oregon): started eight of the 10 games he started last year averaging 29.7 minutes and 11.8 points and6.8 rebounds per game.
Ethan DaSilva ( 6'1",5th year, guard, Calgary, AB): started 10 of the 18 games he dressed for in 2018-19. He averaged 26.9 minutes, 9.2 points, five rebounds , 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Thompson Rivers:
Anton Bilous (6'4" 5th year, guard, Cerkassy,Ukraine): started 10 of the teams 20 games, was second on the team in points per game at 13.4. He averaged 28.6 minutes, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Michael Rouault (6'6" , 5th year, guard,Vernon, BC): started 18 of the 20 games he dressed for averaging 29.1 minutes, 11.8 points, team leading 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and team leading 1.3 blocks per game
Joe Davis (6'6", 5th year, forward, Kamloops, BC): started all 20 of the teams games last season averaging 31.4minutes, 12.9 points (third on the team), 6.3 rebounds (tied for second on team) and 1.8 assists per game.
PRE GAME BANTER:
WolfPack head coach Scott Clark:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1189704001631084544
TRU guard Mike Rouault (5th year, Vernon, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1189703097234288640
RIM SHOTS:
Both of the games will be webcast on a pay-per-view basis on Canada West TV presented by Co-op by accessing:
https://cw.yaretv.com/.
James Matthews will be handling the play by play with former WolfPack player Vince Watson providing commentary and CFJC TV's Dylana Milobar joining them as the in-game host.
Results will be available on the WolfPack social media platforms and their website
www.goWolfPack.ca.
