The PACWEST powerhouse VIU Mariners will tip-off the new season on Thursday night and are looking to avenge a home loss in last year’s PACWEST gold medal game. They will no doubt again contend for the Conference title.
Last season the Mariners shot 46% from the field and 34% from downtown. Their offence was loaded with Usama Zaid, Bryson Cox and Jerod Dorby. This season however the Mariners will look a bit different without Zaid and Cox leading the charge. However some familiar faces are returning and will no doubt play a larger role as the season progresses.
“This group has shown a togetherness and commitment to playing high paced basketball,” says head coach Matt Kuzminski. “We will rely on a much more balanced attack than in previous years and I think we will see different guys leading the team in scoring on different nights.”
Full Court Press: VIU Mariners 2017-2018
Record: 17-1 (finished 1st in the PACWEST)
Points For: 1622 (90.1 points a game)
Points Allowed: 1259 (69.9 points a game)
Head Coach – Matt Kuzminski (7th year)
2017-2018 Result – Finished first in the regular season with only one loss, then fell in the PACWEST gold medal game and won silver
2018-2019 Impact Player – Tyus Barfoot returns to the Mariners following his All-Star season last year. So far in the exhibition season he has shown continued improvement and leadership. Last year he scored 13.6 points a game.
Biggest Loss – PACWEST leading scorer and former CCAA Player of the Year Usama Zaid. He dropped 26 points a game last year and shot an incredible 50% from the field and just over 40% from behind the arch.
Team Strength – A balanced offensive attack, pace of play and their passing.
Thursday night the Mariners will open the PACWEST season and travel to Camosun to face their Island Rival Chargers at 8:00pm.