University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta Pandas Basketball is back at Saville Centre this weekend for a for home series against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and it does not get much bigger than this. Both teams are undefeated in conference and non-conference play. One of them is leaving Edmonton with a loss.
U Sports has ranked the Huskies as the best team in the country, with the Pandas coming in second place. This classic unstoppable force versus immovable object matchup will surely be a spectacle for fans on both sides of the court.
Saskatchewan comes in as the defending national champion and has been the team to beat in U Sports for the last couple of seasons. Alberta has been right there, but not quite over the line. The Huskies have won their last six faceoffs with the Pandas, including a game that ended the Pandas’ playoff run in the U Sports quarterfinal last March.
That game has not left the teams’ mind, and this is their first chance at revenge.
On offense
Bottling up Gage Grassick and Logan Reider will be priority number one for Alberta. They are the drivers of the Huskies offense and both rank top five in the conference in points per game, averaging 18.3 and 17.1 respectively. They have punished teams all year. If Saskatchewan gets comfortable early, the momentum only builds from there. Alberta will want to make those first few minutes hard fought and ugly.
Offensively, the styles are different. Saskatchewan likes to play fast, while Alberta is more patient. Both teams lead the conference in scoring, with Saskatchewan averaging 90.2 points per game, just ahead of the Pandas at 83.9. Alberta is comfortable taking time, moving the ball, and taking the chances they are given.
Defensive powerhouse
Defense is where Alberta can tilt this matchup.
The Pandas have been the most reliable defensive team in the conference. They lead Canada West in Defensive Efficiency Rating at 0.598, narrowly ahead of Saskatchewan’s 0.661. The margin is small, but in a matchup this tight, it could be the difference. Alberta stays disciplined and does not give up much in transition. Saskatchewan defends well too, but Alberta is known for forcing teams to work for everything they get, leading the conference in forced turnovers and blocks.
Saville Centre should be a factor. Alberta has not lost at home, and the energy feels different when a top-ranked opponent comes to town.
There motivation is heavy on both sides. Saskatchewan wants to keep its status as the top team, and Alberta wants to prove that this season is different.
No one series decides a championship in January, however, good teams beat good teams.
If there is a Pandas series to show up to, this is it.
