VICTORIA – The undefeated and CIS No. 7-ranked University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team will return to Saskatoon to visit the No. 9 Saskatchewan Huskies this weekend, Nov. 21-22, in Canada West play. The Vikes are 4-0 in the Pioneers Division, while the Huskies are 2-2.
 
Since 2004 the Huskies and Vikes are 7-7 against each other in conference and playoff action. The Vikes won the lone match up last season, 55-46, at McKinnon Gym, while Saskatchewan came out on top this past October in pre-season with an 80-55 victory. The Vikes were forced to play that match up without fifth year Chris McLaughlin who suffered an ankle injury early on in the Graham Shootout tournament hosted in Saskatoon.
 
That won't be the case this weekend as McLaughlin has started and played all four games of the season so far, averaging 21 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
 
"It was mentally a good break for us," said Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp about the team's return to competition after a two-week break. "Saskatchewan is a top-10 team and they have a lot of different people that can score."
 
The Vikes will rely on the six-foot-ten stature of McLaughlin and also the complementary play of point guard Marcus Tibbs, currently averaging 16.8 points per game. In addition, guard Reiner Theil, known for his defensive contributions, has found his scoring confidence, after putting up double digits in both wins over UBC, Nov. 7-8.
 
"Chris and Marcus are important for us but we also need contributions from everyone," added Beaucamp. "Reiner is really finding his offensive strides. He always has the toughest job of guarding the other team's best player and he puts in valuable minutes for us. Add in that he is now really contributing to scoring and it becomes a huge boost."
 
The Huskies are split in their record, 2-2, after a loss and win to each of Alberta and Winnipeg. Three Huskies have averaged double-digit scoring in the opening four games of the season – Dadrian Collins at 11.8 points, Mike Scott at 11 and Andrew Henry at 10.2. Connor Burns, Evan Ostertag and Matthew Forbes each add another nine per game for the Huskies. Forbes and Burns have dominated the boards for Saskatchewan with 8.8 and 6.2 rebounds per game respectively. 
 
"Beating any team twice in a row is difficult," said Beaucamp about the new conference schedule comprised of double headers. "Add in that we are on the road and it is even more difficult. There are no easy nights and competition is tough but it does mean there are no swing trips and our preparation, to some extent, is a bit easier when we can focus on just one team."
 
The Vikes and Huskies will play at 7:00 p.m. Pacific at the PAC in Saskatoon on both Nov. 21 and 22. Games will be broadcast live at canadawest.tv.