It'll be the first chance for the new-look University of Regina's men's basketball team to play at home this season this weekend, as the Cougars will entertain Manitoba on Friday and Saturday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.
 
The Cougars were 2-5 over their non-conference schedule, but all seven games were played away from the friendly confines of the CKHS. The road trip continued last weekend as Canada West play started, with the Cougars dropping hard-fought 72-63 and 78-63 decisions to the No. 10-ranked Victoria Vikes.
 
Two of the Cougars' five projected starters are newcomers – and they're the team's two leading scorers through the first weekend of the conference schedule. Jonathan Tull transfers to the U of R after having last played at Acadia University, while Alex Igual – originally from Barcelona, Spain – comes to the Cougars after a season with Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Tull scored a total of 39 points while leading the team with 11 rebounds last weekend in Victoria, while Igual had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals over the two games.
 
Brandon Tull – younger brother of Jonathan and a member of the 2013-14 Canada West All-Rookie Team – along with Travis Sylvestre and Will Tallman are expected to round out the starting lineup for the Cougars. Kaskaskia College transfer Michael Hudson had big minutes off the bench for the U of R in his debuts last weekend, while guards Mike Malecha and Matthew Augustine also saw significant court time.
 
Manitoba enjoyed a strong start to the Canada West schedule last weekend with convincing home wins over Trinity Western. The Bisons defeated the Spartans 84-56 on Friday night before handing them a 96-78 setback on Saturday to become one of four Pioneer Division teams to open the year at 2-0.
 
The Bisons got scoring from several different sources in the wins over TWU, including Amarjit Basi who came off the bench in both games but scored a team-high 37 points over the two games. Stephan Walton was just behind Basi with a total of 36 points last weekend, with Justus Alleyn (12.0 ppg), Alfreeman Flowers (11.0), and Jonathan Alexander (10.0) also averaging in double figures in points. Walton, Alleyn, Alexander, Andre Arruda, and Wyatt Anders formed the Bisons' starting five in both games.
 
Both of this weekend's games will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be webcast at www.canadawest.tv.