Observations from War Memorial on a Saturday Night

Jess and I checked out our first T-Birds game at the Point Grey campus this year. Observations in no particular order:

1. Fans Suck...
Sitting at center court facing the score keeper, we were surrounded by Lethbridge fans. What's up with the local fans? This is the only place to get your live high caliber hoop fix!

2. But the Score Board is Awesome
Some rich almuni must have donated some money. The new score clock is frighteningly big and bright. The new announced is a 10,000% improvement over Bradley O. I know Brad from high school days, but sorry, the new guy is much much better.

3. Women Rock
Lady T-Birds are #2 in the CIS rankings, and they showed their best stuff. Even though they lost their starting point guard, the ball actually moves better around the court. Kate made all the right decisions going inside when available, reversing the ball crisply, and hitting open threes.

Third-year guard Erica McGuiness is the real deal. She has a herky-jerky way of moving on the court, but she is deceptively quick and has a great nose for the hoop. Very quick release, and she even showed an assortment of post-up moves. Would love to get her out to run with Triple Threat in 2007.

4. Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians?
On to the men's game, Chad Clifford is a stud. 21 points in 16 minutes, 4-7 from three point land, going to the hoop strong, and making plays. I don't remember him looking like this at SFU.

I have to admit I was skeptical at first. Is there enough ball to go around between the shooters? However, Coach Hanson has things under control. Pick your poison: Bains, Archibald, or Clifford. Double one and the other two will kill you. Archibald was Robin this night, going for 20 but looking flat and bored in the second half. Bains played Stockton, relatively quiet with 9 points, but a whole lot of assists.

5. They Never Taught us That at Camp
Love that low, sweeping wrap-around bounce pass UBC guards use to get ball into the post. Double love when it goes in from the high to low post with defender sealed and helpless. No one else seems to do it - is this a UBC specialty?

6. Best Name for 6'8" Shot Blocking Forward
Bryson Kool. How cool is that.

We are out until the UVIC / SFU back to back series at the end of January.

V