Men's team forward Adam Anhold goes up for a dunk over two Okanagan defenders (VIUMariners/X)

By Nathan Maley

crunch time

PACWEST-leading VIU basketball teams gearing up for playoffs

Feb 16, 2024 | 11:49 AM

NANAIMO — With a few weeks left in the regular season, the VIU Mariners basketball teams are hoping to continue their strong regular seasons.

Both the men’s and women’s teams sit atop the PACWEST standings, with the men holding a 19-1 record and the women sitting at 16-4 heading into weekend action.

The men’s team suffered some early season struggles, losing four exhibition games and an early season league matchup, but head coach Matt Kuzminski thinks the team needed time to gel together.

“I think that we took some losses earlier on partly because of all the turnover we had, and guys just getting used to the league and our system, but I think that we’ve come a really long way.”

The team last lost a game on Nov. 18, falling 87-70 to SFU in an exhibition tilt.

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With the team having already clinched the top seed for playoffs, Kuzminski said the team can’t ease up heading into playoffs, with games against second seed Camosun Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17, followed by a potential first round playoff matchup with Langara to wrap the season.

Kuzminski wants to make sure he gives his players enough time to prepare their bodies for playoffs, but still focus on player development.

“The goal always for us is to continue to try to improve and meet the standards that we have for getting better, and the results sort of take care of themselves.”

Women’s team guard Chloe Scaber drives down the lane (VIUMariners/X)

On the women’s side, following a four-game slide in the middle of January, the team has rattled off another four straight victories over Okanagan and CBC.

The squad holds a four point lead in PACWEST over second place Capilano, who holds a 14-6 record.

Head coach Tony Bryce said for the squad to be successful in the playoffs, they need to have strong practices down the stretch.

“We’re about trying to get sharp, and more consistent in what we’re gonna have to do to be successful come playoff time.”

With Capilano right behind them in the standings, Bryce understands how important this final few games is for his team.

After their four-game losing streak earlier in the season, Bryce knows those mistakes cannot happen any longer for the team to reach their season goals.

“We can’t be a rollercoaster anymore…we’re gonna have to play two really good 40-minute games if we wanna accomplish our goal.”

The women also play at Camosun on Friday and Saturday, then end the regular season at Langara.

Both teams remain high in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association rankings, with the men ranked second in the country, while the women are in fourth.

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