CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos basketball teams hope to create an instant new rivalry while renewing some long-standing ones on the hardwood this fall.

A new era in Canada West basketball will open on Nov. 1 when the 2012-13 season gets underway with a 16-team, 22-game schedule as the conference welcomes its newest members, Mount Royal University of Calgary and the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, B.C. The conference officially announced its schedule for next season Monday morning.

2012-13 SCHEDULES:  MEN  -  WOMEN

For the Dinos, the addition of Mount Royal creates the possibility of a new crosstown rivalry – and also an opportunity for some creative scheduling. The Dinos and Cougars will meet just once this year because of the divisional structure, and the Jack Simpson Gym will be the venue for the historic contests. The men will kick things off on Thursday, Nov. 22 with a 7 p.m. tip-off, while the women's teams will meet up Friday, Nov. 23, also at 7 p.m.

The Dinos have scheduled three Thursday night home dates on the season and rearranged start times on each home weekend in an effort to attract more of the student population while also making game times more family-friendly. Alberta (Nov. 8) and Lethbridge (Feb. 14) will also make Thursday night appearances in the Jack this year, while Saturday start times have been moved an hour earlier to 5 p.m. for the women and 7 p.m. for the men.

Finally, the Dinos will also flip their start times on Friday night, with the men opening proceedings at 6 p.m. with the women following at 8 p.m.

“We put significant time and effort into our scheduling strategy this year,” said athletic director Ron Wuotila. “All three of our provincial rivals appear in our gym this season, and all three will play on Thursday nights which provides us with plenty of opportunity to showcase our product – and our biggest rivals – to our student body. And on Saturdays, playing an hour earlier will make our games more family-friendly.

“We're excited about the upcoming season, and the Calgary basketball community will have plenty of opportunity to come see our student-athletes in action this fall.”

The Dinos open the season at home Nov. 2-3 against the Manitoba Bisons, followed Nov. 8-9 when Alberta makes the trip south. Other home opponents include Mount Royal, UNBC, Fraser Valley, Trinity Western, Regina, while a home-and-home series with Lethbridge Feb. 14-15 closes out the regular season.

Calgary heads on the road for tilts against Saskatchewan, UBC, Victoria, UBC Okanagan, Thompson Rivers, Winnipeg, and Brandon.

The Canada West divisional structure remains in place, with newcomers UNBC and Mount Royal joining the rest of the B.C. schools in the Pacific Division. The remainder of the schools from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba – excluding Mount Royal – comprise the Prairie Division.

The top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs on the road to the CIS championships. The men's CIS Final 8 returns to Ottawa, while the women will battle for national supremacy at the University of Regina.

Ticket packages for the 2012-13 season will begin July 1 with the launch of Dinos Gold Card sales. For just $100, enjoy access to all regular season home games in all sports, discounts and deals from Dinos sponsors, the opportunity to purchase discounted parking, and much more. For more information, CLICK HERE.

-UC-