By Josh Rose
After a trip to the United States for five exhibition games, three over the winter break in California, the University of Calgary Dinos men’s basketball team has returned to Calgary as some of their injured players have returned to the court. Forward Boris Bakovic and point guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson both made their first home appearance and, along with guard Tyler Fidler, led the team in scoring during last weekend’s doubleheader against the number four ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The weekend was split: the Dinos took home Friday’s win, a 83-79 result, while the Huskies returned the favour on Saturday, winning 93-80.
“[The American tour] was great for us because we played some very good competition and we learned a lot,” said Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren. “We were able to get Boris [Bakovic] into the lineup and give him some minutes, really just to get his legs under him. It hurt us because we weren’t ready for him just yet and the scores ended up gross.”
Ogungbemi-Jackson injured his wrist in a pre-season scrimmage against the Mount Royal University Cougars while Bakovic hyperextended his knee in October during the Team Canada training camp. Now that Bakovic is back, he said he is looking to help the team any way he can.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help us win. If we need rebounding, I’ll rebound. If we need scoring, I’ll score,” said Bakovic.
A Team Canada veteran, Bakovic brings leadership, confidence and scoring ability to the floor — Bakovic is nothing but good news for the Dinos. With Ogungbemi-Jackson’s and Bakovic’s return, some of the pressure has been taken off Fidler, who has been carrying the Dinos forward and has attracted some heavy pressure from other teams.
“Tyler [Fidler] has been carrying the load and feeling a lot of pressure,” said Vanhooren. “With Boris [Bakovic] and Jarred [Ogungbemi-Jackson] back, they take some of that pressure off and that allows Fidler to be a freer player. Other teams have to guard all three of them now.”
The biggest challenge this year for the men’s basketball team has been health. Vanhooren said the team has been playing some great basketball so far, even with a depleted roster. The only injured Dino left is forward Matt Letkeman. Usually a starter for the Dinos, he has been plagued with a virus since November.
“We need to be more aggressive and patient when getting pressured. Our defence is getting better and we need all our guys back,” said Fidler. “These two guys can score. It’s a lot of pressure off my shoulders, and it allows me to get some easy buckets.”
If the Dinos stay healthy and bring home some wins, they could be a force to beat in nationals.