Pandas, Golden Bears, it doesn't seem to matter which University of Alberta team shows up on the U Sports Canada West basketball court, they know what it takes to win, and win often.
The Pandas, winners of 10 straight games in the women's league and owners of a 12-2 third-place record, aren't quite the hottest team in Canada West but they're close. Heading into their weekend series in Edmonton against the UNBC Timberwolves (9-5, seventh place) the Pandas share that hot streak with the Calgary Dinos (13-3), who also have won their last 10.
In the men's league, the Alberta Golden Bears aren't quite as dominant as the Calgary Dinos (16-0) or the second-place 13-1 UBC Thunderbirds but they're not far off the pace. The Bears (13-3, third place) are on an eight-game win streak and will try to stretch that to 10 when they host the T-wolves (7-7, seventh place) tonight and Saturday.
The UNBC women split last weekend at home against the Manitoba Bisons, while the UNBC men lost both to the Bisons at the Northern Sport Centre.
After visiting Edmonton, the two UNBC teams will each have just four games left. They'll be on the road for two next weekend at UBC, then close out the regular season Feb. 1-2 at home against Lethbrdge.
