CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team will start of the new year with a pair of head to head match ups against the rival Mount Royal University Cougars. The first game of the Crowchild Classic will take place at Mount Royal University at Kenyon Court on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Dinos will then return to Jack Simpson Gym on Saturday to battle the Cougars at 7 p.m.

NEW SEASON MENTALITY
Going into the break, the Dinos boast an impressive 12-0 record in Canada West play. Now with the season ready to continue, head coach Dan Vanhooren said the Dinos treated the break as a second off-season to get prepared for the rstretch drive. The Dinos played five exhibition games against NAIA schools over the break, putting up a 3-2 record including a pair of wins over Carroll College (Montana) at home followed by a win at Hope International (California). Calgary dropped two tight games to two of the top NAIA teams on the road in late December, falling to Vanguard and The Master's, both in Southern California.

DIAWARA LEADING THE WAY
Mambi Diawara continues to prove time and time again how big of a scoring threat he is from anywhere on the offensive end. The senior guard is averaging 20.2 points per game, which is third in Canada West. He is shooting an impressive 45.8 per cent from the field and 70 per cent from the free throw line. Watch for Diawara to continue his magnificent year into the second half of the season.

QUOTABLE
Head coach Dan Vanhooren on the importance of playing exhibition games during the break to keep the rust off:

"With everyone off for five weeks it's important for the guys to get on the floor and maintain what we've been doing and continue to get better. We treat it as a second off-season so we utilize it in that manner, whether it's scheduling or practices to get prepared for the rest of the season."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS
Match Info Thursday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. – Kenyon Court and Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2018-19 Record 6-6, 9th in Canada West standings
2018-19 Leading Scorer(s) LJ Hegwood (16.9 ppg), Glen Yang (16.2 ppg)

NOTES

• The Cougars average 9.1 steals per game and 3.7 blocks per game, which are both fifth in Canada West.
• Mount Royal finished the break on a two-game losing streak and will be looking to get their season back otrack in 2019
• The Cougars are a force on the boards averaging 43.8 rebounds per game, which is fourth in Canada West.

UP NEXT
Following the Crowchild Classic, the Dinos will head to Edmonton to play the MacEwan University Griffins in a pair of games on Jan. 11-12 at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

-UC-