Playoffs Tip Off Thursday

The top six men's teams are ready for the 2019 PACWEST Championship tournament which opens at 12:30pm on Thursday on the campus of Douglas College.

#1 VIU Mariners

Once again this season they proved to be very difficult to play against. They can hurt teams in the paint and from the outside. They averaged the second highest amount of points and had the highest shooting percentage. Defensively they were also very quick to the ball keeping teams to 82 points a game. They earn a first round bye in the post season and will face the winner of the Langara-Camosun quarterfinal on Friday night at 8:00pm.

PACWEST Record – 16-2
Home 8-0, Road 8-2
Points Per Game – 96.2
Field Goal % - 45.5%

Players to Watch:

Landon Radliff: He won the PACWEST scoring title averaging 26 points a game. He was also among the Conference leaders in assists with five a game and led his team with 38 steals in just 12 games played.

Jerod Dorby: In his fifth and final season he was again a force down low for the Mariners. He was second in the PACWEST in rebounds earning over nine a game. He scored 14.6 points a game and led his club with eight blocks.

Harry Fayle: He was second in team scoring with over 19 a game and can score from the outside or inside. He shot 42.7% from the field and averages a team high 33 minutes on the floor.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won 13 straight games from November 10th – February 9th.

Last FIVE Playoff Games
2018 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Loss – 76-59 Douglas Royals
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 91-60 Camosun Chargers
2017 – CCAA Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 108-95 Holland College
2017 – CCAA Bronze Medal Semi-Final – Win – 91-85 SAIT Trojans
2017 – CCAA Semi-Final – Loss – 95-80 College Montmorency

#2 Douglas Royals

The defending PACWEST champs and CCAA silver medalists had another solid season and will have the extra advantage this year as the hosts of the championship tournament. They have had major turnover from last year’s team but have managed to still have success and earn the first round bye in the playoffs. They will hit the floor on Friday afternoon at 3:00pm and will face the winner of the Capilano-Okanagan quarterfinal.

PACWEST Record – 12-6
Home 6-3, Road 6-3
Points Per Game – 92.6
Field Goal % - 45.1%

Players to Watch:

Courtney Anderson: He led the Royals in scoring with 19.8 a game, 60 assists and 35 steals. He also averaged the most floor time logging 29.1 minutes each game.

Josiah Mastandrea: One of the most dangerous shooters from long range in the PACWEST. He knocked down 52-three pointers shooting 37% from downtown. As a result dropped 13.8 points a game and led the Royals on the free throw line shooting 84%.

Tyrone Asenoguan: He was second in team scoring with 15.9 points a game and led the Royals averaging over six boards each contest.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won 5 straight games from January 12th – January 26th.

Last FIVE Playoff Games
2018 – CCAA Gold Medal Game – Loss – 86-73 Seneca College
2018 – CCAA Semi-Final – Win – 93-87 College Montmorency
2018 – CCAA Quarterfinal – Win – 80-76 SAIT Trojans
2018 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Win – 76-59 VIU Mariners
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 96-85 Langara Falcons

#3 Capilano Blues

They shot out of the gate winning their first four games of the season and six of their first seven. However they lost two of the three heading into the post season and are 3-3 in the month of February playing teams that are ranked lower in the standings. They will face the #6 seeded Okanagan Coyotes on Thursday in a PACWEST quarterfinal at 3:00pm. They hosted the Coyotes earlier this month and lost both games.

PACWEST Record – 11-7
Home 6-3, Road 5-4
Points Per Game – 94.8
Field Goal % - 43.8 %

Players to Watch:

Denver Sparks-Guest: He was second in PACWEST scoring averaging 25.8 points a game and third in the Conference in rebounds pulling down over nine each game. On the defensive side he had a team high 32 steals and added 41 assists. On November 17th he dropped 53 points on the Coyotes, the team he and the Blues will face on Thursday afternoon.

Michael Kelly: The Blues deep ball threat nailing 43-three pointers this season and shot 42% from downtown. Primarily coming off the bench he averages 10.5 points a game and shoots 93% from the free throw line.

Brendan Bailey: The veteran guard dropped 14.6 points a game scoring 94 baskets. He sees the floor well adding 45 assists and making 23 steals.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won 4 straight to open the season from November 2nd – November 10th.

Last FIVE Playoff Games
2018 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 71-69 Camosun Chargers
2017 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Loss – 94-77 VIU Mariners
2017 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 68-63 Langara Falcons
2017 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 76-69 Camosun Chargers
2016 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss 93-90 (OT) Quest Kermodes

#4 Langara Falcons

The defending PACWEST bronze medalists already know they have a berth in the CCAA national championship since they are hosting the tournament. However they are looking to head into that championship as more than just the hosts. Their offence had the highest scoring average dropping 96.8 points a game. They will face the #5 Camosun Chargers on Thursday night at 8:00pm in a PACWEST quarterfinal with the winner facing the VIU Mainers on Friday.

PACWEST Record – 9-9
Home 4-5, Road 5-4
Points Per Game – 96.8
Field Goal % - 44.9%

Players to Watch:

Antonio Jhuty: He led his team in scoring knocking down 24 points a game. He’s the best threat for the Falcons behind the three-point line nailing 31% of his shots.

Moeitz Athaya: He was second in team scoring averaging 20.9 points a game. He led the Falcons pulling down 7.8 rebounds a game and has a team high 83% from the free throw line.

Grant Galbraith: In his fifth and final season with the Falcons he averaged 13.6 points a game and 7.5 rebounds. He is the primary focus in the paint shooting 54% from the field.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won 2 straight from February 1-2

Last FIVE Playoff Games
2018 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Win – 82-71 Camosun Chargers
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 96-85 Douglas Royals
2017 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 83-71 Douglas Royals
2017 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 68-63 Capilano Blues
2016 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 85-77 Camosun Chargers

#5 Camosun Chargers

They limp into the playoffs losing three of their last five games. Looking at their record, they appear to be a better road team winning five times, compared to just three at home. They do have a number of veteran players which could help them this post season. They will face the #4 Langara Falcons in Thursday’s quarterfinal in a rematch of last year’s bronze medal game. Tip-off on Thursday is at 8:00pm.

PACWEST Record – 8-10
Home 3-6, Road 5-4
Points Per Game – 89.5
Field Goal % - 43%

Players to Watch:

Ty Cleland: He’s a first year Charger after spending time with the CBC Bearcats. He led the Chargers averaging 15.5 points a game shooting 45% from the field. He also had a team high 70 assists.

Shaquille Maharaj: He was second in team scoring with 14.2 points a game. He has the ability to drive to the basket or shoot from the outside. He led the Chargers with 36-three pointers and shot 39% from long range.

Dallas Hancox: In his fourth season he makes his presence felt under the basket. He averaged 12.2 points a game and had a team high 8.5 rebounds a contest. He shot 56% from the field.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won 3 straight from January 25 – February 1st.

Last FIVE Playoff Games
2018 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 82-71 Langara Falcons
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 91-60 VIU Mariners
2018 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 71-69 Capilano Blues
2017 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 76-69 Capilano Blues
2016 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Loss – 97-73 Camosun Chargers

#6 Okanagan Coyotes

They make the PACWEST playoffs following their inaugural season and have won two straight. They have surprised a number of teams with their quickness and outside shooting. They have hit the 100 point plateau in three of their games. They will face the #3 Capilano Blues on Thursday in the PACWEST quarterfinal at 3:00pm. They ended the season at Capilano and beat the Blues twice.

PACWEST Record – 7-11
Home 3-7, Road 4-4
Points Per Game – 84.8
Field Goal % - 42.6%

Players to Watch:

Davide Ciancio: He led the Coyotes in scoring dropping 13.9 a game. His 36-three pointers were a team high and shot 32% from behind the arch.

Matt Lafontaine: He started all 18 games averaging 11.3 points. He is a defensive specialist making 22 steals and seems to be matched up with the opposition’s top scorer each game. He also led the Coyotes in floor time averaging 28.9 minutes

Christian Williams: He has picked up his game as of late and shown he can take over a game down low. He played 12 games and averaged 12.6 points shooting 55.7% from the field. He also led the Coyotes in rebounds averaging 10.8 a game.
Longest Conference winning streak: They have won 2 straight heading into the playoffs from February 15-16