Panthers look to stay undefeated, host Cape Breton in weekend contests
Despite a 3-0 record, the UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers have plenty to prove this weekend in their quest for an AUS title.
By Thomas Becker
Despite a 3-0 record, the UPEI Men's Basketball Panthers have plenty to prove this weekend in their quest for an AUS title.
"You're always looking at the next game, but you're also always thinking big picture," said head coach Tim Kendrick. "Our guys know that the big picture is to get to the Scotiabank Centre in March."
Standing in their path are the 2-2 Cape Breton University Capers, who travel to UPEI this weekend, led by AUS first team all-star Meshack Lufile.
The powerful centre is averaging 15.8 points per game, while grabbing 7.5 rebounds a night and is expected to be the focal point in a Capers offence surrounded by athletic shooters.
"We'll know where he is on the floor and we'll know where the ball is in respect to him."
In years past, a player like Lufile would strike fear in Kendrick and his coaching staff, but the addition of tough, gritty forwards like Dut Dut and Tevin Sutton-Stephenson help lessen the blow.
"Lufile presents some problems for us. He's a very good player," Kendrick said.
On the other side, the Capers will have their hands full with Panthers' Tyler Scott, who leads the country in scoring, averaging 30.3 points per game while shooting 47 per cent.
"I think he's the best player in the country," Kendrick said of his young guard. "To have him with us is great."
Scott is joined by a deep supporting cast, including Lorenzo Parker (13.7 points per game) and the high-flying Brad States, who's getting it done on both sides of the court, averaging 18.3 points per game while grabbing 7.7 rebounds with 2.7 steals a night.
With plenty of talent featured on both sides, Kendrick said style of play will determine the outcome.
"They're going to want to shorten the game to a half court-type game and we want to get out and make the game a 94-foot affair."
The two teams battle it out at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on Friday (Subway Night) and Saturday at 8 p.m. The final home games of the semester can be seen on AUStv and Bell TV1.