Men’s B-ball: A Battle for the Border

By Jon Roe

The men’s basketball season is nearly underway, but before it kicks out in full swing, a score needs to be settled. In the first ever Battle of the Border Oct. 27-29, the Dinos will be hosting a cross-border tilt featuring Alberta universities on one side and Montana-based Division I National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools on the other.

Canada will be represented by the University of Alberta Golden Bears, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns and the Dinos. The Bears finished 10-10 in conference play last season, placed second in the central division and lost the central final playoffs. The Pronghorns missed the playoffs with a dismal 8-12 record, placing them fourth in the Central division. The Dinos weren’t much better. Despite making the playoffs, they finished an unbecoming 9-11.

As for the Americans, they’ll be represented by the Montana Tech Orediggers and the University of Great Falls Argonauts. The two teams finished tied for last in the Frontier Conference with 3-11 records. The Orediggers have already played the University of Lethbridge once this pre-season, beating them by an embarrassing tally of 69-38. The Argos too have played Canada West opposition, beating the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack twice.

Since 2003, the Orediggers are a combined 28-66 and the Argos are 22-67.

The American side will be rounded out by the UGF’s Junior Varsity team.

The tournament kicks off on Fri., Oct. 28 with three games: the Pronghorns take on the Orediggers at 4 p.m., the Bears take on the Argos at 6 p.m. and Calgary takes on the Argos Junior Varsity team at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 per day or $10 for the whole tournament for students.

The tournament runs from Oct. 28-30. Check out GoDinos.com for info.

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