VICTORIA - On Labour Day weekend, the McKinnon Gym faithful will get an early look at the home team, and a preview of NBA hopefuls when the UVic Vikes men's basketball team hosts the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
GAME INFORMATION
Sun. Sept. 5 vs. Minnesota (McKinnon Gym) - 3pm
Broadcast, presented by Best Buy:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This is the sixth NCAA opponent that UVic has hosted since U.S. teams began making Labour Day pilgrimages north of the border in 2003. Minnesota plays in the Big Ten, is coming off two NCAA tournament appearances, and might just be the best team to play on the Island. However, the Vikes have knocked off two NCAA opponents and in 2008 held check with Marquette before slipping late in the second half.
SCOUTING THE VIKES
The Labour Day test is an early look for coach
Craig Beaucamp, who welcomes a bevy of new faces to the fold for 2010-11. Incoming Oxnard (California) transfer Craig Lee is a relative unknown with plenty of athleticism, and the Vikes have eagerly awaited the opportunity for 6-foot-8
Adam Connolly to dress. True freshmen Reese Pribilisky of Oak Bay,
Ted Neilson of Dover Bay and
Chris McLaughlin of Oakville will also make their UVic debuts. Alberta transfer and Victoria native
Eric Casey makes his homecoming with three years of eligibility intact.
SCOUTING THE GOPHERS
Head coach Tubby Smith has led the Gophers to consecutive 20-plus win seasons, and comes to Victoria on the tail-end of a three-game Northwest tour. Minnesota's roster features a pair of former Canadian Junior members in Devoe Joseph and the 6-foot-10 Mo Walker, who is ranked as the ninth-best center in the class of 2010 by ESPN. But the player to watch is 6-foot-7 swingman Rodney Williams (
YouTube) who is a projected NBA lottery pick in 2011.
