UNBC women’s basketball preview
Friday, October 29 @ TRU WolfPack, 5 p.m. (in Kamloops)
UNBC Timberwolves – 2019-2020 Record (11-9)
9th in Canada West Standings
73.6 points scored per game (4th)
69.3 points allowed per game (10th)
(Returning) scoring leader: Alina Shakirova (14.5 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Shakirova (5.2 Per Game)
(Returning) assists leader: Rebecca Landry (1.5 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Shakirova (0.8 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks leader: Shakirova (0.2 Per Game)
Player to watch: Alina Shakirova, F
14.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.8 SPG
After missing half the 2019-2020 Canada West season with a knee injury, Alina Shakirova is back and ready to make a major impact on the Timberwolves. One of the best defenders in the conference, the Moscow native will be leaned on more on the offensive end to help generate offense of the T-wolves. The undersized forward has seen an uptick in her production every season, and will be looking for a good start to the season against the WolfPack.
TRU WolfPack – 2019-20 record (7-13)
12th in Canada West Standings
60.7 points scored per game (13th)
71.2 points allowed per game (12th)
(Returning) scoring leader: Megan Rouault (5.8 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Rouault (4.2 Per Game)
(Returning) assists leader: Rouault (1.3 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Rouault (1.4 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks leader: Rouault (0.5 Per Game)
Player to watch: Megan Rouault, G
5.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.4 SPG
Megan Rouault is the only fourth-year on the TRU roster. In fact, she is the only third, fourth, or fifth-year wearing black and orange this season. The Vernon product will be leaned on for her well-rounded game on the court, as well as leadership for a young program under a new coach. Expect the swing to make a mark on opening night in Kamloops.
Saturday, October 30 @ UFV Cascades, 5 p.m. (in Abbotsford)
UNBC Timberwolves – 2019-2020 Record (11-9)
9th in Canada West
73.6 points scored per game (4th)
69.3 points allowed per game (10th)
Player to watch: Sveta Boykova, F
Sveta Boykova was actually on the 2019-2020 edition of the Timberwolves, but never played a game after suffering a season-ending injury in preseason. The Russian forward is capable of a physical battle on the glass, or using her smooth footwork and jumper. Against a Cascades lineup loaded with length, Boykova will need to be steady for an undersized T-wolves roster.
UFV Cascades – 2019-20 record (16-4)
5th in Canada West
73.3 points scored per game (5th)
63.9 points allowed per game (4th)
(Returning) scoring leader: Deanna Tuchscherer (15.4 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Tuchscherer (6.2 Per Game)
(Returning) assists leader: Tuchscherer (2.3 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Nikki Cabuco (1.9 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks leader: Madison Draayers (0.3 Per Game)
Player to watch: Tuchscherer, F
15.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.5 SPG
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better rookie campaign than the one Deanna Tuchscherer enjoyed in 2019-2020. The six-foot forward put up big numbers, helped the Cascades to a 16-4 record, and was named Canada West rookie of the year, as well as a member of the U SPORTS All-Rookie team. With the size to play inside, and the skill to play outside, the Chilliwack product is sure to be a handful for UNBC.
Quotes:
UNBC’s Alina Shakirova
On playing Canada West games…
“It is super exciting. We have been waiting for this for so long, and I have been personally waiting for it for way too long. It is exciting, but at the same time, a little bit nerve-wracking. It has been a while since we played those official games. When the game counts, it is a little bit different than preseason games. But, we are all excited.”
On the matchup with the WolfPack…
“We expect a good battle from TRU. We know we are always close in the standings. Both teams are young and they always play tough. That will be a great matchup.”
On the matchup with the Cascades…
“We know UFV is physically tough. They have tall girls, and we don’t have that many bigs. So that will be challenging, but it will be a good game.”
On her advice to the young Timberwolves…
“It is getting serious now. It is time to show what you are working for. Demonstrate how badly you want it. All the energy and all the time you put into practices. So, take it seriously, but also enjoy the game.”
Milestone watch
Alina Shakirova needs 36 points to reach 500 for her Canada West career
Shakirova needs one rebound to reach 200 for her Canada West career
UNBC Men’s Basketball Preview
Friday, October 29 @ TRU WolfPack at 7 p.m. (in Kamloops)
UNBC Timberwolves – 2019-20 record (6-14)
13th in Canada West Standings
75.6 Points Scored Per Game
84.4 Points Allowed Per Game
(Returning) scoring leader: Tyrell Laing (21.9 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Fareed Shittu (9.1 Per Game)
(Returning) assists leader: Vova Pluzhnikov (4.1 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Shittu (1.4 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks Leader: Shittu (1.6 Per Game)
Player to watch: Pluzhnikov, G
15.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.9 SPG
In 2019-2020, Vova Pluzhnikov was one of two players in the entire conference to average 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. This year, in his senior season, the Ukraine native is looking to help lead the T-wolves back to the playoffs, as he closes in on the programs all-time record in points and assists. A bulldog with the ball in his hands, Pluzhnikov will be eyeing a good start to the season against the Pack.
TRU WolfPack – 2019-20 record (11-9)
8th in Canada West
82.0 Points Scored Per Game
76.8 Points Allowed Per Game
(Returning) scoring leader: Brendan Sullivan (7.7 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Sullivan (2.4 Per Game)
(Returning) assists leader: Sullivan (2.2 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Tyler Schilling (0.7 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks leader: Richie Mageto (0.3 Per Game)
Player to watch: Brendan Sullivan, G
7.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.8 SPG
As the WolfPack begin life without graduated seniors Joe Davis, Mike Rouault, and Anton Bilous, coach Scott Clark will look for an uptick in responsibility and production from third-year guard Brendan Sullivan. Lean and shifty, the Mill Bay product can finish at the rim, or shoot from the outside. UNBC will need to keep Sullivan out of the paint, where he can get to the rim or distribute.
UNBC Men’s Basketball Preview
Saturday, October 30th @ UFV Cascades at 7 p.m. (in Abbotrsford)
UNBC Timberwolves – 2019-20 record (6-14)
13th in Canada West
75.6 points scored per game
84.4 Points allowed per game
Player to watch: Tyrell Laing, G
21.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG
Tyrell Laing started just seven games in his first three years, before exploding in 2019-2020, winning the Canada West scoring crown with an absurd 21.9 points per game. The supporting cast is healthy and versatile, meaning the Prince George guard may not be leaned upon as heavily to score at that rate, but expect the quicksilver Laing to put his stamp on opening weekend against a perennially-talented Cascades team.
UFV Cascades – 2019-20 record (13-7)
6th in Canada West
85.5 Points scored per game
80.0 Points allowed per game
(Returning) scoring leader: Vick Toor (10.1 Per Game)
(Returning) rebounding leader: Toor (4.1 Per Game)
(Returning) Assists leader: Toor (3.4 Per Game)
(Returning) steals leader: Toor (1.3 Per Game)
(Returning) blocks leader: Kenan Hadzovic (0.4 Per Game)
Player to watch: Toor, G
10.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG
Vick Toor’s role figures to change this season, going from tremendous role player and occasional focus, to go-to option for the Cascades offensive approach. The Kent, Washington product is capable of stifling defense, slashing offense, distribution, and scoring from range, so the Timberwolves will need to slow Toor down to keep a handle on the UFV attack.
Quotes:
UNBC’s Darren Hunter
On playing Canada West games…
“It’s my first actual game. You can only do so much in preseason. It’s always fun to play, but actually playing games that matter is a lot more exciting.”
On the matchup with the WolfPack…
“TRU is always well-coached. They like to get into their offense and play in the halfcourt. So, we have to be high-intensity and pressure them on the defensive end. Disrupt their flow.”
On the matchup with the Cascades…
“Fraser Valley has a ton of new bodies. They went a lot bigger this year. We have pretty good size, as well, but we have to take care of our business. Clean up the glass and get on transition.”
On how ready the Timberwolves feel…
“A year and a half with most of the guys, just practicing. We are pretty confident in what we have here. Just getting our competing with other people is very exciting. Two W’s, that’s all we can hope for. That’s what we want, and anything less will be a disappointment.”
Milestone watch
Vova Pluzhnikov needs 41 points to reach 900 for his Canada West career
Fareed Shittu needs 24 points to reach 200 for his Canada West career
Spencer Ledoux needs 14 points to reach 100 for his Canada West career
Pluzhnikov needs eight assists to reach 200 for his Canada West career
Shittu needs 18 rebounds to reach 200 for his Canada West career
Shittu needs eight blocks to reach 40 for his Canada West career
