Jamie McLeod and the Dinos will meet the Lethbridge Pronghorns in one of 4 Canada West Quarter-final series this weekend at the Jack Simpson Gym in Calgary.

It wouldn’t take much to up the intensity of the Dinos-Pronghorns basketball rivalry.  After all, the two teams are neighbours, and each would like to be the biggest fish in the Southern Alberta pond.  Calgary has been that ‘big fish’ lately, with annual playoff appearances, CIS rankings, a couple of Canada West Championships, and a consistent winning record against Lethbridge.


But hold on ... we have Coach Dave Adams getting the ‘Horns in the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons, talking about National Championships, building pride in ‘Horns Nation’ !  This is the poor cousin demanding attention, and the Dinos really don’t want this to go any farther.  Yes, Calgary is heavily favoured; they have the gaudy 15-5 record, and the ‘elite team’, but, make no mistake, Lethbridge has big aspirations, and they will, under Adams leadership, be annoyingly persistent in pursuing them.


The Best of 3 Quarter-final will likely boil down to how close to their best the Dinos can play, and how deep into the games can the Pronghorns stay close.  If Robbie Sihota rolls, if Ross Bekkering controls the inside, if the Dinos guards, Jamie McLeod and Jarred Ogunbemi-Jackson can match or out-play, the ‘Horns Jeff Price and Danhue Lawrence ... it will be game over.  And if, as he can surely do, Tyler Fidler hurts the ‘Horns with his myriad offensive arsenal ... it will be game over very early.


That Calgary hasn’t done this in their 2 league games this season could be attributed to the home court advantage for Lethbridge, or Calgary taking the U of L for granted; but, it’s more likely that Lethbridge has been ready for Calgary, and very motivated to play against their nemesis to the north.  Price, with his team - leading 17 ppg, and Canada West-best 5.1 assists, and 89 % free throw shooting,  has been a huge add
ition to the U of L lineup.  Lawrence, the former ‘go-to guy’, has adapted his game to share the spotlight, and is averaging 15 ppg plus 7.2 rebs., a team best.  Randy Davis is a 10.8 ppg scorer, who is an under-appreciated shooter, who will also go to the boards. 


<<< Jeff Price, Pronghorns floor general


The Pronghorns posts are not on anyone’s all-star lists, but they will battle in their man to man defensive alignment.  Rob Cooper scores 10 ppg, and is a capable defender, tasked with the tough job against Calgary’s inside scorers. Both Derek Waldner and Remington Stemler will play aggressively at the defensive end, using all their fouls, if necessary.  Quinn Van Gaalen, a lefty guard, can score in bunches, if he gets the chance.


The Dinos have a most impressive starting 5, anyone of whom can hurt the ‘Horns at the offensive end.  Sihota, scoring 18.7 ppg and rebounding 6.6 rpg, is unstoppable, if he gets the magic going from 3 pt. range ... he shoots a league-leading 47 % on deep shots.  Bekkering has developed into one of the CIS’ top defensive posts, who also scores 19 ppg and leads in rebounding at 8.9.  His ability to attack the rim against Lethbridge will be key to Calgary’s success.  Fidler, at 6’8”, is rebounding at 7.1 rpg, and scoring 14 ppg, but so much more seems to be expected of him.  At his best, he is a nightmare for the opposition, penetrating, scoring inside and out, rebounding, and stealing with his reach on defense.  If the Dinos are to proceed as far as the Final Four and Nationals, Tyler could definitely be the difference maker.


McLeod, the 5th year combo guard, has been outstanding this season ... leading the Dinos with 4.7 assists, adding 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.  He has hit the timely 3 pt. shot when he gets some open space, and has helped Ogunbemi-Jackson with back-court duties.  ‘O-J’ is a phenomenal point guard for a rookie, with a two way game any coach would cry for ... he can penetrate, shoot the trey, and he is the steal leader at 2.1 per game.


<<< Ross Bekkering, force inside for Dinos


Expect another rookie, Andrew McGuinness, the shooting guard from Vancouver, to be the first perimeter man off the bench.  He has looked good in practice recently, and is due for a break-out game at the offensive end.  Dustin Reding, the 6’7”, back-up post man, has struggled with a sore ankle for the past several weeks, but says he’s ready to go ... he is a dangerous shooter, who also helps take the pressure off Sihota and Bekkering at the defensive end.


We’ve already predicted Calgary to win 2 straight ... now it remains to be seen if the Dinos can put it all together and move along the playoff path.  Game time is 8 pm Friday ... 7 pm Saturday. There will be a Webcast and Live stats for these games.


Following is a comparison of team stats for the Dinos and ‘Horns in Canada West games this season ...







TEAM STATISTICS 

CGY