The next chapter in the history of  the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's basketball program begins this weekend as they kick off the 2019-20 Canada West men's basketball season.
The program is now directed by Serbian born Goran Nogic. Nogic has experience at all different levels of basketball including professional but this is his first experience in university. He joins the program from the 3D Basketball Academy in North Vancouver, BC.

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 7 pm while the Saturday game will begin at 5pm.   That is a change from previous years where the Pack women's teams would always play first both nights at the TCC.

BACKGROUND:

The WolfPack have failed to make the playoffs the last three seasons.  They finished at 4-16 in 2018-19 which was 15^th in the 17 team league.  The WolfPack saw three players graduate after that season including Michelle Bos (Surrey, BC) .  Thompson Rivers was 1-7 in the exhibition campaign.

The Spartans finished tied for sixth with Victoria and Lethbridge at 12-8 last season.  They have lost a number of their top players from last year due to graduation including Tessa Razlaff (Abbotsford, BC who was 10 th in Canada West in scoring (16.8 points per game),Jessie Brown (Langley, BC third in Canada West in three point field goals made 2.70)  and Sarah Buckingham ( Langley, BC who led the league in three point field goal percent 45.4).

This pre-season, Trinity Western lost the first four games but wound up with two victories against Lethbridge (72-59 on Oct 26) and Mount Royal (66-62 on October 27).
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Trinity Western:

Nicole Fransson (6'2", forward,  2^nd year, Edmonton, AB):  The Canada West all-rookie selection started six of the 20 games she played, averaging 22.9 minutes, 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
 
Breanna Cabucco (5'9", guard, 5^th year, Port Moody, BC): started two of 19 games she dressed for  averaging 7 minutes.
Kianna Wiens, (5'9", guard, 3^rd year, Regina, SK): started 13 of 20 games last year averaging 8.2 points, 26.4 minutes,4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Thompson Rivers:

Emma Piggin (5'10" guard, 5^th year, Kamloops, BC):  started 5 of 20 games she played in two years ago (2017-18).  She averaged 17.9 minutes, 6.4 points, four rebounds and one steal per game.  Emma sat out last season.  Previously she was a member of Canada's Junior National team.

Leilani Carney (5'8" guard, 5^th year, Burnaby, BC): started 19 of the WolfPack's 20 games last year averaging 31.1 minutes, 94 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists per game.
Jordon Haggerty (5'5",guard, 3^rd year, Saskatoon, SK): started 18 of the 19 games she dressed for last season. She was fourth in Canada West in assists averaging 4.21 per game.  She also averaged 7.8 point, 5.3 rebounds in 31.4 minutes


PRE GAME BANTER:

WolfPack head coach Goran Nogic:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1189702702499975169 
 
TRU guard Emma Piggin (5^th year,Kamloops, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1189702392255639552 
 
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.