GAME DATE: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011
GAME TIME: 8:00 p.m. (CKHS)
LIVE WEBCAST: www.canadawest.tv

With three starters from last season graduated and another currently injured, the University of Regina's men's basketball team will be sporting a different look on Saturday night in its Canada West home opener against Saskatchewan.

The only full-time starter from last season in this year's lineup will be fourth-year forward Paul Gareau, who returned last year following a two-season absence and finished sixth in the conference with an average of 18.7 points per game. Fourth-year guard Sterling Nostedt had eight starts last year and will play a crucial role in Regina's perimeter offence this year.

With Darius Mole out due to an injury and Marek Downrowicz, Kris Heshka, and Jeff Lukomski all graduated, 18th-year head coach James Hillis will give several players significant increases in playing time.

One of those will be third-year post Connor Burns, who recorded double-doubles in four of the team's five non-conference games. Second-year player Brendan Hebert should get the start at point guard, with Addison Docherty or Briercrest College transfer Gradyn Childerhose candidates for the final spot in the starting lineup.

Second-year players Matt Campbell and Jared Janotta – who is also a slotback for the U of R's football team – should both get plenty of  minutes off the bench. Rookie guard Ryan Schmidt (Centennial Collegiate) led all newcomers in playing time through the non-conference schedule, with Childerhose and rookie Marcus Ward (Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS) not far behind. Rookie forward Jeremy Zver (Balfour Collegiate) and transfer guard Kenroy Jones (Chattahoochee Technical College) have also been used off the bench by head coach James Hillis.

Ranked No. 3 in the first CIS Top Ten, Saskatchewan's men's team will field an experienced lineup with seven players in their final two seasons of eligibility. Leading the Huskies'group of returning players is guard Jamelle Barrett, who led Canada West with an average of 25.5 points per game last year. Of Saskatchewan's top six scorers last year, only Rejean Chabot won't be back in 2011-12.

The two teams will finish off the Canada West schedule against each other in Saskatoon on Saturday, Feb. 18.