Wolves prepare for big game against Lancers

It’s definitely the biggest game Scott Morrison has ever coached.

On Saturday the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Windsor Lancers will tangle in southern Ontario in a one-game, elimination playoff. At stake is the OUA West title and an automatic berth at the nationals in Ottawa.

While it may not be Lakehead’s last chance to get to nationals, Morrison on Tuesday said they’d prefer to take care of business the old fashioned way, winning on the court.

"I guess we’re approaching it this week in our minds that this is it," said Morrison. "If we get another chance next week, that would be a bonus and we’ll gladly take it, but if we start thinking about that, we’re not going to put everything into this weekend and that’s the most important thing right now."

The scenario is this: should the Wolves fall to Windsor in Saturday’s OUA West final, they could get a second chance if Carleton beats Ottawa in the OUA East final. As host of the nationals, Carleton has a berth, meaning the third OUA spot would then be decided in a one-game playoff between Ottawa and the loser of the OUA West final.

"It would be the first time we’d ever be a Carleton fan," Morrison said. "But hopefully we’ll win so we don’t have to cheer for them."

The Wolves and Lancers battled all season long for OUA West supremacy, with Windsor edging out the Thunderwolves on the final weekend of the season. The two teams finished with identical 17-5 records, and in late January split a two-game regular season set in Windsor, LU winning the first 89-87 in OT, the Lancers taking the second 87-65 the following night.

Morrison would like nothing better than to continue the magic and play for an OUA championship.

But it won’t be easy, he acknowledged.

"Windsor’s not only the best team in our conference, according to the standings, but they’ve also been to the nationals before and has the experience this time of year," he said.

Morrison said the Wolves know what they’re up against, and can’t afford a slow start like they got off to against Waterloo at home last Saturday, a game they narrowly pulled out 64-59, after trailing by 11 at the half.

"Basically we’re going to have to put together 40 minutes, instead of 20 or 30," he said. "In terms of defence and rebounding, I thought we turned it on in the second half last Saturday night, but against Windsor we can’t afford to take a couple of quarters off on the boards.

"And also they’re going to be really picking up the pressure on defence. Waterloo is a bigger team and played in the paint. Windsor wants to extend the game full-court and try to make you rush. So we’re going to have to keep our composure and just do the little things right to finish."

Ryan Thompson led the Wolves against Waterloo on Saturday, scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds. Yoosrie Salhia had 13 points and 10 rebounds in a winning cause.