UVic men welcome Laval for tuneup

University of Victoria Vikes basketball head coach Craig Beaucamp believes he had a pertinent example for his charges to latch onto after they went 1-2 last weekend in the annual pre-season Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament in CARSA gym.

“I told them the last time we won Canada West [in 2014-15], we lost to Alberta by 30 points in an exhibition game, before sweeping the Golden Bears in the regular season and then again in the playoffs,” said Beaucamp.

The Vikes get a chance to even their pre-season record when they play Laval Rouge et Or tonight at 7 p.m. in CARSA gym.

“Laval is big, strong and athletic,” said Beaucamp.

He noted that most university hoops players in Quebec don’t come directly out of high school, but instead junior college programs, so they are usually older and more mature.

That means UVic’s depleted roster will again be tested tonight with five players out with injuries, including key contributors Jake Newman and last season’s leading scorer, rebounder and assist-getter Mason Loewen.

“We need to get healthy, for sure,” said Beaucamp.

The Vikes defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies 85-73 in the Vetrie Tournament before losing 80-70 to the Manitoba Bisons and 96-61 to the two-time U Sports national championshipgame finalist Ryerson Rams.

“I liked our energy against Saskatchewan. But because of the injuries and depth situation, we wore down against the backto-back national runners-up [Rams]. You are not going to beat Ryerson without all hands on deck,” said Beaucamp.

UVic will conclude the preseason Oct. 12-14 in Ottawa against Concordia, Guelph and host Carleton in the Carleton House-Laughton Tournament.

The Vikes begin the Canada West regular season with a double dip in Winnipeg against the Wesmen on Oct. 26-27 followed by the home opener in CARSA gym against the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 1.