CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team (6-8) returns home for a big weekend homestand against the Saskatchewan Huskies (3-9) and the return of Pack The Jack.
One of the most anticipated events on the Dinos varsity calendar, Pack The Jack is an annual basketball doubleheader at the Jack Simpson Gym attracting crowds of more than 2,000 fans, making it one of the rowdiest games of the year on campus. Students can show their UCID at The Banquet in University District after Friday's game for 10 percent off their bill.
Tip time for both Friday and Saturday's contests is scheduled for 8 p.m., with both games being streamed live on Canada West TV.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. REUNION WEEKEND – In addition to Pack The Jack, this weekend's action will also serve as the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 1992-93 Canada West championship team. The majority of that squad will be in attendance and will be honoured on Saturday night.
2. RIVALRY RENEWED – This weekend marks the first conference series between the two Canada West rivals since January of the 2019-20 season – a Dinos sweep in Saskatoon. Calgary has claimed the last 10 regular-season games against the Huskies, with the last win by Saskatchewan victory coming back on Jan. 21, 2017 – a thrilling 83-81 contest inside The Jack.
3. WALKING WOUNDED – This has been a season filled with adversity for the Dinos, primarily due to a large number of injuries the team has had to deal with.
Noah Wharton, Jeff Tezo,
Spencer Roberts and
Manyang Tong all missed significant time before the winter break, while
Jackson Bayles and
Aidan Smith have been the latest bitten by the injury bug. Through that adversity, several players have taken their game to the next level.
Parker Johnstone and Bayles both played significant roles in the early going, as did fellow guard
Alan Spoonhunter. The rookie has scored in double figures four times so far this season, including an incredible 34-point performance in a one-point overtime loss at Alberta back in November.
4. REINFORCEMENTS –
Mason Foreman returned to the team at the start of the semester for his fifth year of eligibility and has picked up right where he left off last season. The 6-7 forward has provided a big boost to this year's squad, averaging 25 points per game in his first four appearances and pouring in a season-high 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting in last Saturday's win at Fraser Valley.
5. CURRENT STANDINGS – Entering the weekend at 6-8, the Dinos are right in the thick of the playoff conversation. This year's format will send the top 12 teams to the Canada West postseason. Saskatchewan – the reigning national runners-up will have some work to do down the stretch, currently sitting in 16th place at 3-9. The Huskies are on a two-game win streak after sweeping Lethbridge last weekend.
-UC-
