GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, Feb 18 & Saturday, Feb. 19
Opponent: Winnipeg Wesmen
Time: 8:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saskatoon, Sask.
Venue: Physical Activity Complex
Watch: Canadawest.tv
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The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's basketball team has an opportunity to keep the good times rolling this weekend in what are their last pair of regular-season contests, as they welcome the Winnipeg Wesmen to the PAC.
The Huskies enter Friday night's conference clash on a two-game winning streak and are winners of eight of their last nine contests dating back to Nov. 27.
Every game is imperative in the seeding race for the Canada West playoff tournament for the Huskies. Entering this weekend, they rank fifth in the conference — a seed that would see them play the winner of the 12-seed and 15-seed in their first playoff game.
Saskatchewan's lone loss in their last nine was to Winnipeg. After recording a 91-71 win in the opening game of the back-to-back, it was the home side who emerged victorious on the Saturday with a 91-71 win to record the split.
If the previous matchups against the Wesmen are an indicator of what we can expect this weekend, look for Alexander Dewar to be heavily involved. The third-year guard torched Winnipeg. in the two matchups, averaging 28.5 points-per-game over the weekend.
Dewar and company will look to vibe off the home crowd this weekend, as the program is set to have fans in the stands for the first-time since Dec. 4.
Saturday's contest will honour graduating fifth-year athlete Emmanuel Akintunde, who joined the program in 2016. The Saskatoon product, who was a standout high school player in the city with the St. Joseph Guardians, has been a fixture in the Huskies rotation since his freshman season and will play what will likely be his final game on home court this weekend.
Also set to be recognized alongside Akintunde this weekend is Addison Dewar, a graduating member of the 2020-21 roster. Addison, who is the older brother of current Huskies guard Alexander, spent five seasons with the program, which he joined following a decorated high school career at Marion Graham.
Thoughts from Rawlyk:
Rawlyk on how the group has responded following a 2-2 start and the form they've been in on their recent hot-streak:
"I think we struggled early in the season with our chemistry a little bit and trying to find everyone their roles and figuring out what we could and couldn't do. I think we're much more comfortable with each other now and sort of developed a little bit of chemistry. The roles are a little bit more clearly defined and I think that's reflected in our play. I feel pretty good about the way we're playing."
Rawlyk on how he's feeling heading into the weekend and dealing with the amount of byes in the conference schedule:
"It's one of these things, both mentally and physically, that has been really tough for us because we got into this rhythm here now where we play a weekend and then we have a weekend off with the bye-week."
"From both a physical and mental perspective, staying tuned has been, I'll be honest with you, it's been a challenge. It'll be interesting to see the way we respond to coming off with this off-week. Hopefully we've found the right balance between not over-training and at the same time, staying tuned up enough that we're going to be able to compete this weekend."
Rawlyk on trying to decipher playoff seeding in the new Canada West playoff format:
"I've basically given up on trying to figure out A and B and X,Y,Z. Let's just be prepared to play our best and bring it on come that day. Whoever our matchup is, we're not focused on that right now. We just have to be the best we can be and let everything else keep care of itself."
Rawlyk on having fans back at the PAC this weekend:
"Oh, it's a fantastic thing. It just brings another element to the game. The guys, as much as they love to compete, they really love to compete when they've got some support behind them. Having some fans in the stands is really a great thing."
Rawlyk on what Akintunde has meant to him and the program over the last six years:
"I personally came to know Eman and I've got a world of respect for him, for his strength of character and the terrific person that he is. As an athlete, he's been an incredibly hard worker. His commitment to his training has been just exemplary. I know that over the summers, he's been working very hard, physical labor jobs all day in the sun. And then he comes in, weight trains and scrimmages. His commitment as a student-athlete has been just remarkable. And for me, really inspiring as a coach. To see him develop in his role as a spokesperson for the team and all those things, it's just been really gratifying."
5 Things:
- Prior to this season, Saskatchewan had won three of their last four meetings against Winnipeg and 14 of their last 20 dating back to the 2009-10 season.
- While the Huskies enter the weekend red-hot, the Wesmen have had a hard-time finding a groove this season. Winnipeg hasn't won back-to-back games since November, as their weekend sweep of the Brandon Bobcats back on Nov. 11 and 13 is their longest winning streak of the season.
- While eight different Huskies have started at least one game this season, Rawlyk appears to have found his go-to starting five, with Maxwell Amoafo, Alexander Dewar, Marquavian Stephens, Nervens Demosthene and Akintunde starting the last four contests
- The Huskies rank first in the Canada West with 10.8 steals-per-game
- It's been a strong 2021-22 campaign for Stephens who is tied for third in the conference with 19.2 points-per-game, while his 29 three-pointers is tenth in the Canada West
