Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – For a team flush with promising, young talent, the preseason sets up perfectly for the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball squad.
They'll kick off a six-game exhibition slate against a similar opponent to themselves, albeit from another conference, when they the host the University of Ontario Tech on Friday (7 p.m., David Atkinson Gym). Also on the docket this weekend is a solid Canada West foe – the UNBC Timberwolves (Saturday, 5 p.m.).
"Those will be good tests for us to get started," said head coach Mike Connolly. "UNBC lost some guys, but looking at their roster, they brought in a couple of solid kids. We'll see how they are, but they have a good resume.
"Ontario Tech is a little bit young like us. I know they're going to be very athletic. It's going to be a good test for us to play and get started."
The Griffins then head to Vancouver Oct. 13-15 for the UBC Invitational where they'll face two of the best teams in Canada and another strong Canada West opponent. They are set to play Thompson Rivers on Oct. 13 (9 p.m. MT), UBC on Oct. 14 (8 p.m. MT) and Toronto on Oct. 15 (5 p.m. MT).
"Two of the three games there will be against perennial powerhouses in Canada," said Connolly. "So, that will be good to judge where we are compared to other people. We'll continue to work and grow and that's what we're doing. The kids are together and they're working hard.
"We just want to continue to get better every day and that's what we're doing."
The road trip will also be crucial for a Griffins team that features 10 new players this season.
"I think it's very important," said Connolly. "Obviously, we're going to get some team bonding done being on the road and being together. That's important.
"I think UBC is one of the top teams in Canada West this year – they're a top-three team, so we get to see where we are. They had a win against UNLV in the summertime, so they've got some talent.
"It will let us know where we are, reassure what we're doing whether it's good or bad. We've just got to keep working. It will be a good measuring stick that this is where we want to be, and we've got to keep working to get there."
The Griffins will also visit local ACAC squad Concordia on Oct. 22 to conclude the preseason.
Their home opener is set for Nov. 4 vs. UFV (8 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
