The University of the Fraser Valley men's basketball team returns just a handful of familiar faces, but as they tip off the Canada West regular season at home this weekend, they hope to find quick chemistry with a roster loaded with talented newcomers.

GAME SCHEDULE

• Friday, Oct. 29: Cascades vs. UBC Okanagan Heat, 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30: Cascades vs. UNBC Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
• Location: UFV Athletic Centre
• Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

EVENT INFORMATION

• Per provincial COVID-19 regulations, fans age 12 and over will be required to show proof of full vaccination to enter the UFV Athletic Centre, and masks must be worn at all times.
• UFV Athletics is offering free admission to fans for Friday's season opener. Tickets for Saturday's games, and the balance of the fall semester, will be discounted to $5 for adults, while school-aged students (and UFV students with student ID) will be admitted free.
• The Cascades women's basketball program is holding its annual Walk & Knock Halloween Food Drive to benefit the Archway Food Bank of Abbotsford, and fans are invited to bring non-perishable food items to the weekend games for donation.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Head coach Joe Enevoldson embarks on his first season at the helm of the Cascades men's basketball program with a roster that is long on depth and talent, but short on Canada West experience.

Just three players – guards Vick Toor, Jordyn Sekhon and Kenan Hadzovic – return from the UFV squad which finished 13-7 in 2019-20 and earned a first-round playoff win over Winnipeg before falling to the Calgary Dinos in the CW quarter-finals.

Yet a cast of talented newcomers gives the Cascades optimism heading into the 2021-22 campaign.

"I think we have a high ceiling in terms of Canada West play," Enevoldson said. "We're looking forward to growing every single day throughout the season and look forward to peaking at playoff time. We showed our depth in the preseason – everybody had ample opportunities to be successful, and they'll all be expected to come in and bring consistent performances."

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Toor is the Cascades' top returning scorer – he stuffed the stat sheet in 2019-20 to the tune of 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and he'll be looked upon to provide leadership. Sekhon (4.3 points, 36.9 per cent from three) and Hadzovic (6.1 points, 40 per cent from three) also add veteran savvy and stability to the Cascades' backcourt.

Look for Zubair Seyed, a transfer from NCAA Div. I Dixie State, to be an impact player – he's an outstanding shooter who also contributes at the defensive end. Suraj Gahir, a local product who spent last season redshirting at NCAA Div. I California Baptist, will also look to make an impression in the backcourt, alongside Dylan Kinley and Jiordano Khan – who both played for Enevoldson at Douglas College – and Ahmad Athman, a rookie from Toronto.

"Depth-wise, we're pretty happy with our guard play," Enevoldson said. "It's definitely one of our strengths, with an ability to play multiple people in multiple scenarios. Whoever's playing well on a specific night is going to play a little more."

The Cascades' frontcourt is brand-new to Canada West play, but there's a lot of length and skill in the mix. Kyle Claggett, a former member of UFV's championship-winning men's golf team, has made the switch to basketball and has great length, passing ability and touch at 6'9". Aidan Wilson and Matthias Klim, both great leapers at 6'10", and figure to see minutes at centre and bring great shot-blocking ability.

Dario Lopez, a versatile forward from Spain, and Jake Willemsen, a knockdown shooter who transferred from Lane Community College, will supply the Cascades with scoring punch at power forward.

"We have some length, some physicality, some shooting from the perimeter," Enevoldson noted. "We have a lot of pieces, it's just a matter of learning to play in Canada West. I'm excited to see their future development."