Thursday, Jan. 16: Cascades (6-6, T-9th in Canada West) at TWU Spartans (2-10, 14th in Canada West), 8 p.m., Langley Events Centre, Langley B.C.
Saturday, Jan. 18: Cascades vs. Spartans, 7 p.m., Envision Financial Athletic Centre, Abbotsford B.C.
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades are looking to solidify their grip on a playoff spot at the expense of their local rivals, who would be on the outside looking in if the post-season started today. UFV swept the Spartans last season by scores of 106-75 and 94-73. The coaching match-up is a fun one – Trevor Pridie, TWU's first-year head coach, spent two seasons (2016-18) as lead assistant on Cascades bench boss Adam Friesen's staff.

RECENT FORM

UFV has put together a three-game win streak to get back to the .500 mark, most recently sweeping the UNBC Timberwolves in Prince George. The Spartans went 21 months between conference wins before sweeping the MacEwan Griffins, Nov. 29-30; they've since dropped four in a row, including a pair of losses to the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend. 

CASCADES HALL OF FAME NIGHT

Saturday's home games will feature a number of alumni-oriented special events. It's Cascades Hall of Fame night, and the class of 2020 – featuring builder Liz Chisholm, athlete Matt Douma, and the 1993-97 women's basketball era – will be officially inducted in an on-court ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game.

The UFV Alumni Association is also holding its annual Alumni Night, and the first 50 alumni to RSVP will receive a free ticket along with free pizza, popcorn and pop. RSVP here.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Matt Cooley, UFV – Cooley made Cascades history last Saturday, posting 14 points, 13 rebound and 10 assists vs. UNBC. It was UFV's first-ever triple-double in Canada West play, and at 6'9", he's the tallest player in CW history to achieve the feat. The Coquitlam, B.C. product brings rare passing ability to the game for a big man – his 3.3 assists per game rank 16th in the conference, to go with 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath, TWU – There have been just 17 triple-doubles in Canada West's recorded history (dating back to 2000-01), and remarkably, two of them happened in the past week. Two days before Cooley's, Spartans point guard Gilbreath racked up 33 points, 10 boards and 10 assists in a loss at UBC. The reigning CW men's first star of the week leads the nation in scoring (26.3 ppg). 

QUOTABLE

"I think collectively, it's important to buy in as a team to stopping him, and treating him as the player he is. As far as help-side defence goes, we have to lock in to being in the right spots and offering help to whoever's guarding him on-ball. And transition defence is going to be a major key for us defensively." – UFV rookie guard Vlad Mihaila, on what it's going to take to slow down Gilbreath

"People are starting to understand their roles a little more, and buying in. We're sharing the ball a lot better. And we're a really good defensive team – we have a lot of pieces, and people are starting to step up and contribute." – Mihaila, on his team's three-game win streak