The Huskies return to Edmonton
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The U of S Huskies men’s basketball team now patiently waits. With a 97-93 Canada West, bronze medal win over Regina last weekend, the Huskies secured a spot in the USports Final 8, March 31st to April 3rd in Edmonton. The team’s leading scorer, 3rd year guard Marquavian Stephens, tied the bronze medal game on the last play of the fourth quarter, with a three point shot off of a fast break. “That’s what he does,” said coach Chad Jacobson. “He’s not afraid of the big moment”.
The Huskies have played high-tempo basketball all season, and that won’t change for the USports Championships. “We have to be us, and do what we do,” said Jacobson. Stephens averaged 19.4 points per game in the regular season for the Huskies, while another 3rd year guard, Alex Dewar, was second on the team at 16.9. “Everybody knows the Dewar name. Just being around Alex every day is a coach’s dream.” Dewar had 17 points in the bronze medal game.
Canada West champion Victoria, and host Alberta will also represent the Canada West in the USports Final 8. The Vikings beat the Bears 70-64 in last weekend’s conference championship game. “The one thing about our conference is the depth of every team,” said Jacobson. The Bears beat the Huskies 90-74 in the first game of the Canada West championship. “It’s helped us prepare. We are battle tested.”
Finalists from the OUA, the RESQ and the AUS have not been determined as of yet. The OUA’s Carleton Ravens are the defending U Sports champions from 2020. (There was no champion crowed last year, because of the pandemic.) The Ravens have been crowned USports champions in 9 of the last 10 seasons and are expected to be in contention again. While Jacobson is doing his homework on competition, he’s not necessarily fixated on which teams will advance. “I don’t think we can get to wrapped up in who are potential matchup is going to be. We have to play to our strengths, do what we do, and do it well to be successful.”
