Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Work ethic will be key for the Griffins men's basketball team as they face one of the top shooting teams in Canada West this weekend.
MacEwan (0-4) will visit the Calgary Dinos (2-2) on Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (6 p.m., both Canada West TV).
"They're big, they're good, they shoot the ball," said MacEwan head coach Mike Connolly. "They shoot the ball from beyond the arc at 40 per cent. I think they have five or six guys in double digits. They're a huge challenge.
"They're one of the top teams in our league, so we have to go out there and compete. We have to execute. We can't make many mistakes."
The biggest thing to slow down a hot-shooting team is contesting every one of their shots, which essentially comes down to work rate and intensity.
"We have to be there and try to challenge every shot and we have to take them out of their sets, so they can't get those looks," said Connolly. "That's easier said than done because they have kids who can create their own shot.
"I think it's going to take a team effort, a lot of communication and just cutting down their easy looks. The more easy looks they get, the more rhythm they get into. If we can make everything challenged, everything a tough shot, if they make them, they make them.
"But if we don't play hard on them and try to contest every shot, they're going to get comfortable. When people get comfortable, that's when they become dangerous because they get into a rhythm. Now they make all the tough shots. So, I think we really have to do a good job contesting shots and just trying to make things as difficult as we can for them."
Ultimately, though, the Griffins will need to take care of their own business to find success this weekend.
"We just have to go out and play and just worry about us," said Connolly. "Our first goal is Friday night and we're going to be worrying about the process – taking care of some of the mistakes we've made, getting back on defence, doing a better job on the boards."
Offensively, their speed will be key against a big Dinos team.
"We've got to run, and we've got to try and get some easy looks early in the offence because when they get back, they set up their defence and they're big, they're strong and athletic," said Connolly. "It will be difficult for us to score on their half court set.
"But I think if we can get up, if we can get running and spread the floor, get some easy looks early and get some confidence, then we can see what happens. If we can be in position towards the end of the game, anything can happen."
