CALGARY – Following their sweep of then No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds, the University of Calgary Dinos await their third consecutive trip to the U SPORTS Final 8. However, there is one stop before the team travels to Halifax next week: a gold medal matchup against No. 2 Alberta Golden Bears for Canada West supremacy.
DETAILS
Canada West Men's Basketball Championship
Date: Saturday, March 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. MT
Venue: Saville Community Sports Centre, Edmonton
HEADLINES
- Nearly two months ago, the Dinos fell to the Golden Bears 92-79, and 71-61. Calgary's response has been dramatic, closing the season with an 11-1 record and a point differential of +21.3 per game over that span.
- Not to be outdone, Alberta has maintained its stranglehold over Canada West and finished the season with a 12-0 record.
- Alberta is the defending Canada West champion, winning the title in Calgary last year with a 92-73 victory over the Manitoba. At nationals, Alberta lost by two points to Dalhousie in the quarterfinals and dropped their consolation semi-final to Saint Mary's by five in overtime.
No. 4 CALGARY DINOS (16-4)
- Calgary boasts an excellent mix of veterans and youth off the bench to go alongside one of the most dynamic backcourts in Canada. The gauntlet was levied early, as a difficult preseason schedule has carried into the regular season in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. The Dinos have played eight games against teams that are ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10 and have a 6-2 record in those games.
- Mambi Diawara's torrid campaign has placed him amongst elite company. The fourth-year guard was named a Canada West first-team all-star after averaging 22.0 points per game (fourth in Canada West), 2.5 steals per game (fourth in Canada West), 7.0 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game.
- David Kapinga was named a conference third team all-star, while Mason Foreman was named to the all-rookie team. Kapinga has been a steadying force for the Dinos all season, providing leadership and consistent production at the point guard position. Kapinga's vision and nonstop motor contributed to his 11.8 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, and 3.0 steals per game (third in the conference). Foreman has been electrifying off the bench all season, getting out in transition and protecting the rim against larger opponents when Calgary goes small. He is currently averaging 8.6 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game.
NO. 2 ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (19-1)
- In their two victories over Calgary, the Golden Bears were able to control the glass. Alberta finished +30 in rebounds against Calgary and pushed the Calgary big-men into foul trouble early.
- The Golden Bears received an all-star trifecta this season. Third-year forward Brody Clarke was a first-team all-star, while fifth-year forward Mamadou Gueye and fourth-year guard Austin Waddoups were named to the second and third teams, respectively.
- Losing only one game the entire season, Alberta has been able to stifle opposing offences, conceding only 66.7 points per game (best in the conference). If anything can be gleaned from their loss in late December to the Victoria Vikes, it is their vulnerability when the defence is stretched out to the 3-point line and offences are able to get to the free-throw line. The Dinos took the most threes in Canada West this season and are fourth in free throw percentage.
