Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots March 25th, 2011
Did the UNBC men's basketball team have a successful season? Well, it really depends on how one defines success.
The Timberwolves posted a 16-2 regular season record, and placed second at the BCCAA Provincials.
They capped their year with a 5th place tie at the CCAA Nationals. I believe most teams, in most leagues, would be proud with these results, thus declaring this season a success. Certainly, these achievements are noteworthy. However, I suggest that many UNBC players and coaches, and possibly their supporters, feel unfulfilled, or dissatisfied that expectations were not met.
In 2009, the Timberwolves hosted Nationals, surprised the field and finished a very competitive 4th out of 8. The team put on a heartwarming display before 2,000 enthusiastic fans that filled the seats at the Northern Sport Centre.
In 2010, UNBC captured gold at Nationals in Calgary, achieving the pinnacle of awards. Yes, first place, number one in Canada.
In 2011, UNBC managed just one win (a token one over the last place host team) and two lopsided losses at Nationals in Oshawa, Ontario with a roster consisting of many returning players. The T-wolves were whipped 81-66 by Lethbridge (score was 81-59 late in the game), and in their only victory, they barely defeated Durham 72-67 (a team that would not have been in the tournament if they were not hosting). Then, UNBC was trounced by Mount Saint Vincent University (who eventually ended up 4th) 84-49. MSVU took advantage of a lifeless opposition and led 24-7 after one quarter. That 35 point difference was the biggest spread of any of the 13 games in the tournament.
I don't know anybody that wants their season to close with such a blowout, embarrassing loss. The Timberwolves did not have the hunger, drive, desire, call it what you will, of the previous year.
The Timberwolves won many games on talent this season, often against inferior competition, but their season ended up being a classic example of a team that found it difficult to get to the top, but much harder to stay there.
UNBC has many players eligible to return. However, fifth year senior Inderbir Gill, their “go to” guard will not be back. Gill leaves the game as one of the most decorated athletes in CCAA history, a three time CCAA All-Canadian, the 2010 CCAA championship MVP, 2010 CCAA overall athlete of the year and, to top it off, the 2011 CCAA player of the year.
Even Gill, who unquestionably is the greatest player to wear UNBC colors, struggled for his standards, at Nationals. Against Lethbridge, he did not score in the first half and finished with13 points, which is eight below his season average. However, Gill did hoop 24 against Durham but was back to just eight against MSVU.
It is no co-incidence that over the past three seasons as Inderbir went, so did the Timberwolves. Now, as UNBC moves forward, with the anticipation of being accepted into the CIS, there certainly will be a changing of the “GUARD”.
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The most predictable aspect of the Prince George Cougars season was their unpredictability. Throughout the season the Cats would lose 7-0 one game (to Red Deer) and win 8-0 the next (at Vancouver). In fact, the Cougars lost seven in a row at home (Feb 18-March 8), yet won 10 of 13 at CN Centre (Dec 14 to Feb 5). P.G. won back to back games against Kelowna (Feb 4 and 5) yet lost its previous six games against the same club. To this end, it is difficult to predict what the Cougars will do against these same Rockets in the playoffs.
At Christmas, P.G. was in first place in its division, yet they failed to clinch a playoff spot until the second last game of the regular season. The Cats certainly targeted Kelowna as a first round opponent, but what are their chances of advancing?
The Cougars can score (18 more goals than Kelowna in regular season) but have struggled defensively (64 more goals allowed than the Rockets). Their starting goalie, Ty Rimmer, reflects the team's fortunes this season, great one game and bad another.
The Cats are clearly the underdog since most of their players do not have post-season experience and the Rockets have home ice advantage. Should Prince George advance, it’s safe to suggest that is where the run would end since they would be over matched in round two against Portland or Spokane.
I am picking Kelowna to win in seven, in what should be the better of the first round WHL Western Conference series. That is the logical choice, yet when it comes to the Cougars, logic and reasoning often gets tossed out the window.
From the Quote Rack:
When asked recently if he still considers himself the world's number 1 player, Tiger Woods replied "Absolutely, as long as we're not talking about golf."
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Tiger Woods' latest girlfriend is 22 years old, and was arrested last year for DUI with a blood alcohol level of .21. And now she's dating Tiger? Sounds like her judgment is still impaired.
A steak knife-wielding man held police and security guards at bay for nearly half an hour at the Staples Center. Might be the best defense Clippers fans have seen all year.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
A study at the Tufts Medical Center in Boston says that sex can kill you. Just ask Tiger Woods.
An Iowa clinic's ad campaign urged sport fans to indulge in some alternative March madness -- have a vasectomy on Thursday or Friday, then spend the weekend recovering while watching NCAA tournament basketball. I heard when some guys’ brackets were busted; they were fit to be tied.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The University of Calgary held a night in support of homelessness where students slept on the floor or as CFL players call it training camp.
A man who was kicked out of a Halifax bar says he has lost his sense of taste. For proof he has shown the judge his latest purchase; a vintage Vancouver Canucks yellow and black jersey.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
According to a new study on longevity, cheerful people are actually at increased risk for early death. This puts Brian Burke's life expectancy at about 130.
And in case you missed it:
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