With the quarter-final matchups set for the Canada West men’s basketball playoffs, it will be a unique weekend for the Huskies.

Due to the men’s volleyball national championships taking place at the Physical Activity Complex this weekend, the basketball Dogs have been forced to relocate to St. Joseph High School in the meantime.

Although it will be a big change for the Huskies to compete in a high school gym, coach Barry Rawlyk hopes it will aid his squad with the increased intimacy and a more exciting atmosphere.

“I don’t know what that means and how we’re going to respond to that, but at the end of the day, we just have to go out there and play,” he said.

Fifth-year Ben Baker also took note of the change of scenery, but he doesn’t believe it will ultimately affect the Huskies.

“It’s a bit different than playing at home, but I think we’ll be able to adjust. We’ve been able to practice over there and shoot there so I think we’ll be able to adjust and have a good weekend.”

A date with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack is all that stands between the Huskies and the Canada West Final Four, which they would host with a series win over TRU. The WolfPack finished third in the Explorer Division with an 11–9 record and then were matched up with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in the first round. A pair of tight wins — with the second being by one point — the WolfPack advanced and now get the top seeded Huskies.

Although the teams haven’t met this season, they played in last year’s playoffs in the quarter-finals, which Rawlyk sees as preparation.

“They have a system they basically stick to. We’re pretty familiar with their personnel so we aren’t coming in blind. Having said that, they know quite a bit about us as well,” Rawlyk said. “In playoff time as we get to this stage of the game, we’re more concerned with our execution and what we do and less with what our opponents bring.”

Thompson Rivers is led by forward Josh Wolfram as he had a successful season, averaging nearly a double-double per game with 18 points and 9.9 rebounds, which were sixth and fourth in the conference, respectively. As a team, they rebound well and play sound defence as they were top five in steals, blocks, opponents’ field goal percentage and points allowed. Offensively, the WolfPack shoot the three ball well and excel at the free throw line. That being said, Rawlyk knows what his players have to do to be successful.

“I think it’s the same things we’ve done all year,” Rawlyk pointed out. “I think we’ve been very successful in defending and rebounding the ball and those are going to be two key areas for us this weekend.”

Entering play this weekend, the Dogs have reeled off 11 wins in their past 12 games. Baker attributes a lot of their success to the depth of the team.

“Across the board we have so much skill, so much size, so much athleticism that it allows us to do so many different things and if someone is having a bad night, there is talent behind them who will step up.”

With Dadrian Collins, Matthew Forbes, Mike Scott and Baker all averaging double digit points a game, the depth is on full display every night and is one of the factors that may determine the outcome of games as the playoffs progress. Another factor may be the play of Shane Osayande. In just his six games this year, Osayande is averaging seven points, four rebounds and two blocks in just 13 minutes of action off the bench, giving Rawlyk yet another weapon at his disposal.

With two wins this weekend, the green and white would move on to host the Canada West Final Four and be one step closer to nationals. A pair of losses, however, and their season comes to a close.

Games one and two of the best-of-three series will be Feb. 27 and 28 with opening tip at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph High School gym. If necessary, game three will be back at the Physical Activity Complex on March 1 with the game at 7 p.m.