VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team dropped to No. 4 in the CIS polls this week but the current Pacific Division leaders have already secured their hosting rights for the Canada West quarter-finals. The Vikes will split hosting duties with the UBC Thunderbirds this weekend, Feb. 14-15, to wrap up their regular season. The Feb. 14 game at McKinnon gym will also be the annual Shoot for the Cure to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
 
FULL SCHEDULE  |  STANDINGS  |  STATISTICS
 
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Three Pacific Division schools have already secured their spot in the post-season including Victoria (17-3), Fraser Valley (15-5) and Thompson Rivers (12-8). Both UBC (11-9) and Mount Royal (8-12) are strong contenders for the final spot in the division. In the Prairie Division, No. 3 Alberta has a strong lock on first in the conference with an 18-2 record and will play No. 10 Saskatchewan (15-5) this weekend to secure hosting of the Final Four. Wins will be important this weekend as Lethbridge (14-6) and Winnipeg (13-7) have confirmed post-season playing but will juggle with the Huskies for the final hosting seed.
 
The best-of-three quarter-final series will take place Feb. 21-22, with the top two in each division hosting the respective bottom two of the opposing division. Winning teams move on to the Canada West Final Four at the top-ranked conference team's venue. The top two Canada West finalists will move on to the CIS Final 8, set for Mar. 7-9 in Ottawa.
 
HEAD TO HEAD
In the 2012-13 season the Vikes and T-Birds met four times, including a weekend sweep to end their regular season. In the Canada West Final Four, the Vikes lost to UBC at War Memorial Gym, 72-69, to finish second in the conference and earn a lower seed at the CIS Final 8. Both UBC and Victoria qualified for nationals, where the Vikes went on to eliminate the T-Birds in the second round. Points and bragging rights will be on the line in this weekend's double header.
 
SCOUTING THE UVIC VIKES
2012-13 CW Record: 16-6 (2^nd Pacific)
2012-13 CW Playoffs: 3-1 (CW Silver)
2013 CIS Tournament: 1-2 (6^th)
Last CW Title: 2006
Last CIS Title: 1997
 
CIS Ranking: #4
CW Ranking #2 (1^st Pacific)
 
Following an unusual split weekend against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, the Vikes are ready to rebound to host their mainland rivals, the UBC Thunderbirds. Despite the Feb. 7 loss to the WolfPack, the Vikes showcased the depth of their bench when several starters got into early foul trouble. The talents of senior Terrell Evans and fourth year Chris McLaughlin are a large part of the Vikes' offensive power but add on the defensive reliability of third year Reiner Theil and the outside shooting of Kyle Peterson and Mack Roth and the Vikes have proven time and time again why they are a CIS top-10 team. The interchange of point guards Marcus Tibbs and John Woldu have also provided head coach Craig Beaucamp the consistency he needs on the floor as the Vikes are currently the No. 1 team in the conference for scoring defence, allowing an average of 59.3 points per game. Beaucamp is currently the two-time defending conference Coach of the Year and will be looking to make a repeat appearance at the Final 8.
 
SCOUTING THE UBC THUNDERBIRDS
2012-13 CW Record: 18-4 (1^st Pacific)
2012-13 CW Playoffs: 4-1 (CW Gold)
2013 CIS Tournament: 0-2
Last CW Title: 2013
Last CIS Title: 1972
 
CIS Ranking: Unranked
CW Ranking 4^th Pacific
 
The Thunderbirds haven't had the season they were hoping for so far but they can redeem themselves this weekend and earn the last post-season berth. Currently 11-9, UBC lost only one player, and a key one at that – fifth year Doug Plumb graduated after a stellar career. Head coach Kevin Hanson returned to lead the T-Birds who still boast the talents of Tommy Nixon, Brylle Kamen and David Wagner. UBC are coming off a weekend sweep of UBC Okanagan where Nixon led in scoring on both nights. 
 
THIS WEEKEND
The Vikes and Birds will go head-to-head first on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. at McKinnon Gym. The night will also be the annual Shoot for the Cure, where the Vikes plan on dedicating proceeds from the game to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. More info on Shoot for the Cure can be found here. The Vikes will also honour their fifth year and graduating players - Terrell Evans and Ryan Erikson. On Feb. 15, the Vikes will travel across the pond to War Memorial Gym for their second game against UBC at 7 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live at canadawest.tv.