MBB: Victoria at Timberwolves Preview

Men's Basketball
October 30, 2019

Canada West Men’s Basketball Preview
Victoria @ UNBC
November 1st, 2019 @ 8 PM
November 2nd, 2019 @ 7 PM

2018/2019 Season Record:


UNBC Timberwolves - Record (9-11)
11th in Canada West Standings
79.8 Points Scored Per Game
81.4 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Jovan Leamy (18.1 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Vaggelis Loukas (8.6 Per Game)
Assists Leader: James Agyeman (3.2 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Jovan Leamy (3.0 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Jovan Leamy (1.1 Per Game)

Player to Watch: Vova Pluzhnikov, G
14.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.4 SPG
A fourth-year guard, Pluzhnikov figures to a major piece for the Timberwolves at both ends of the floor this season. A bulldog with the ball in his hands, the product of Kharkiv, Ukraine will need to assert himself, while providing leadership with the bevy of young TWolves on the 2019-2020 roster.

Victoria Vikes - Record (10-10)
10th in Canada West Standings
79.0 Points Scored Per Game
77.3 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Jordan Charles (16.6 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Hayden Lejeune (7.5 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Mason Loewen (4.6 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Jake Newman (1.2 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Jesse Barnes (0.7 Per Game)


Player to Watch: Scott Kellum, G
13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
A former Canada West Rookie of the Year, Kellum is a quicksilver guard who has the ability to penetrate or shoot from the outside. Now in his fourth year with the Vikes, his usage rate should increase, and the Issaquah, WA native will command plenty of attention from the Timberwolves.

Quotes:
UNBC’s Tyrell Laing


On excitement to get the season underway…
“We are really excited to start the season off with a tremendous amount of energy in front of our home fans. We have the best crowd in Canada West, and we hope to feed off that this weekend.”

On the matchup with the Vikes…
“I expect Victoria to be dangerous from multiple positions on the floor. They have some length in the front court, and we are going to need to keep them off the glass. There are no easy games in this conference, so it will be a great challenge.”

On role change from last year…
“My role has changed a lot in the past year. I now have increased responsibility in leadership, scoring, and decision making. This increases my ability to dictate the outcome of games, which is a challenge I am ready for.”

On hopes for the season…
“Our goal is to ultimately make a return to the playoffs. We have a young team with guys in new roles. But if we are able to tap into our potential, we are going to be a very tough, competitive team.”