Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Two words that are the most important for the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball team this weekend …
Next Play.
They've moved on from last Saturday's heartbreaking 87-80 loss to Winnipeg where they gave up a 17-2 run in the final two-and-a-half minutes to steal defeat from the jaws of victory.
"At least the guys are not too down after the weekend," said Griffins head coach Mike Connolly. "I think they know there were some mistakes, but they know how far they've come. We've just got to keep working and see what happens."
If there is anything the Griffins can take out of how close they came to ending a lengthy program losing streak that's now at 41 games, it's the positives that put them in that position in the first place. Their defensive intensity, particularly early in the contest, is a key part of a winning formula.
"We got better and that's what we've been trying to do," said Connolly. "We'll let the process take care of itself and the wins will come.
"If we can come out with the same defensive intensity and put pressure on them and take them out of their (system), I think we will be in a position to have success."
That would be the goal for the Griffins (0-8) as they visit Thompson Rivers University (1-5) on Friday and Saturday (both 8:30 p.m., Canada West TV).
"I think they're a very well coached team," said Connolly, who will be going against TRU bench boss Scott Clark this weekend. "I think that coach might be the best in Canada in getting the most out of his players. So, it's going to be a challenge. Yes, their record is just one win, but I think they're a very good team.
"We have to go in there and compete with them and play hard. We have to defend. And we have to get out and run again like we did Saturday. If we let them set their defence, it's going to be pretty hard."
The two teams met in preseason at TRU's home in Kamloops, B.C. and the WolfPack won 83-76, but the Griffins led by 10 at half-time, so there is a template of success.
"We have a long trip tomorrow and then some practice time to work on some things and we'll see what happens," said Connolly of their final action of the first semester. "It's also hard going before Christmas. Everybody's looking to exams, guys are stressed – so there's lots of other things happening in their lives right now that we can't control. We've just got to live with that and do the best we can."
