CALGARY – After finishing second in Canada West, the University of Calgary Dinos will play host to a pair of quarter-final games and a semifinal this weekend at Jack Simpson Gym as they open their playoff run looking for a third straight conference title.

Weekend action kicks off Friday with the Dinos taking on the Fraser Valley Cascades at 6:30 p.m. before the UBC Thunderbirds face off against the Saskatchewan Huskies at 8:30 p.m. The two winners will advance to the semifinal Saturday night, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.

A LOOK BACK
The Dinos have consistently found themselves near the top of the U SPORTS rankings, having a stellar season with few blips in the radar to finish 18-2. The Dinos only significant falter this season came at the hand of the Alberta Golden Bears, snapping a winning streak that lasted more than two full years.

LEANING ON LAYTON
The Dinos big man Brett Layton has been a force at both ends of the court and will continue to play an integral role in the Dinos lineup through the playoffs. Law-student Layton recently set both school and Canada West rebounding records and has averaged 20.5 points and 14.7 rebounds per game this season. While Layton will play an integral for the Dinos through the playoffs, the depth of the Dinos bench will also be key as the Dinos seek to retain their Canada West title.

CASCADES UP FIRST
The Dinos open their playoff road Friday night against the Fraser Valley Cascades, who snuck past Winnipeg in overtime in last week's 'play-in' round. The two teams didn't meet in the regular season this year, though the Dinos have won the last four meetings between the two programs dating back to January 2017. Their last playoff meeting came in the 2014-15 season, with the Cascades winning a best-of-three quarter-final in two games. Since that setback, the Dinos have won three of the next four conference titles, made four straight trips to the national Final 8, and appeared in three national finals.

SCOUTING REPORTS
FRASER VALLEY CASCADES
2019-20 Record 13-7 (6th in Canada West)
Points Leader Parm Bains (19.4 ppg) 

• The Cascades have lost their last four matchups against the Dinos both at home and away
• The Cascades have won 11 of their past 12 games
• UFV has been able to spark victories against come of the top teams in the conference even with the loss of three key players this season

UBC THUNDERBIRDS
2019-20 Record 16-4 (3rd in Canada West)
Points Leader Jadon Cohee (19.1 ppg)

• The Dinos hold an eight-game win-streak against the T-birds
• The Thunderbirds only added two new faces to their team for their 2019-20 campaign
• Fifth-year Jadon Cohee was named Canada West third-star the final week of the regular season

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
2019-20 Record 12-8 (7th in Canada West)
Points Leader JT Robinson (18.6 ppg)

• The Huskies fell to the Dinos twice at home this season at home in Saskatoon
• The Huskies did not face off against the T-Birds in conference play this season
• The Huskies topped the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack with a dominant 71-58 victory in first round action