Cougars want to be more than nice hosts
The University of Regina Cougars only know one way to enter the national women’s basketball championship — through the front door.
Although they received an automatic berth as the host team, it hasn’t changed the focus of a group that was determined to punch its ticket the hard way — as champions.
“It’s funny, it has never come up that we’ve been hosting,” said head coach Dave Taylor, whose team opens the tournament Thursday against the Laval Rouge et Or (6 p.m., Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport).
“We knew we were going to be playing in March, but all year we were so focused on the race with the (Saskatchewan Huskies) to finish first in Canada West. Our goal with our program is always to try and win Canada West and do well at nationals. It never even entered our mind that we had a guaranteed spot.”
That mindset helped the Cougars avoid complacency. They also have momentum on their side after capping a stellar Canada West run Friday with a 75-55 win over Saskatchewan in the conference final.
“Sometimes as a host you can be off for three or four weeks,” said Taylor. “That would be your nightmare scenario. Keeping a routine is important.”
After beating Saskatchewan last weekend at the CKHS, the Cougars will continue to enjoy home-court advantage at the eight-team national championship. Although that comes with no guarantees — not to mention some additional pressure — they expect to benefit from familiar surroundings.
“We practise in this gym all year round; we’re comfortable in this gym,” said fifth-year guard Sara Hubenig. “We’re playing in front of our home crowd and there’s a lot of energy. We get to sleep in our own beds.
“Life just kind of continues on versus if you come here from halfway across the country.”
The national stage is a familiar one for the Cougars, who are making their third straight appearance in the U Sports championship and their ninth in 12 years under Taylor.
That history of success was a major factor in the decision to entrust the program with host responsibilities for the third time in the last 10 years.
“We’ve got enough of a reputation nationally that people trust we’re going to be pretty good,” said Taylor, whose team won silver at the 2009 and 2013 championships in Regina. “You’re trusting that the process will continue, but there’s no guarantee. You can’t make midseason trades (to bolster the lineup). I was trying to project. We’ve been pretty good, but I also kind of knew who we would have.”
The Cougars were good enough to post a league-best record of 18-2 before reeling off five straight playoff victories en route to the Canada West title.
After much anticipation, they hope to keep the ball rolling at nationals.
“Ever since I found out two years ago that we were going to be hosting, I’ve just been so excited for this moment,” said forward Christina McCusker. “We’ve been working toward this for so long. I think we have a really good opportunity to win.
“We’re going to do whatever we can to do that.”