LETHBRIDGE - Starting the Canada West conference schedule with a bye last weekend, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team enters the new season with a sense of optimism and will host the MacEwan Griffins at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre Friday and Saturday night.
 
The Pronghorns and Griffins will follow the women's games Friday night at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m..  Tickets can be purchased online at:http://www.uleth.ca/tickets

Both games will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
2018-19 Canada West TV regular season packaging and pricing
 
ALL-ACCESS pass - $89.99
 
Regular season SCHOOL pass - $44.99
What you get: Every regular season event featuring your favourite school – live and on demand.
  
Did we mention that 80% of CW revenues from school pass sales go directly to the school you selected? Show support for your alma mater and buy a school pass this season!
 
Regular season SPORT pass - $35.99
  
Single event pass - Regular price: $6.99
 
A Look at the teams:
 
Coming off a trip to the Canada West semifinals, the Pronghorns enter the season ranked fourth in the Canada West coaches poll and hope that it is a sign of things to come.
 
A season ago, the Pronghorns finished with a 12-8 record and after sweeping the Victoria Vikes in the Canada West quarter-final series, the Pronghorns lost two straight to the Alberta Golden Bears.
 
This season, the Pronghorns return four of five starters from the 2017-18 team but have a big hole to fill with the departure of Canada West First Team All-Star Dejon Burdeaux. One of the most dynamic players in Canada West, Burdeaux led the Pronghorns with 19.3 points per game and despite missing six games due to injury, was fourth in the conference in total steals with 46.
 
Canada West Third Team All-Star Zac Overwater returns and will be counted on to lead the Pronghorns offence this season. 
 
Mike Pierzchala returns to the program after a year away and along with Kyle Peterson, Colton Gibb, Josh Sparks and Brett Warren provide the Pronghorns with plenty of experience to challenge the top teams in Canada West.
 
New to the Pronghorns this season are a trio of international players. Eric Pierce follows the pipeline from Fresno City College and will provide the Pronghorns with some athleticism and strong defensive play. Both Burdeaux and former player and assistant Coach Alex Fletcher transfered from Fresno City College.
 
Marko Vekic and Zachary Coleman-Bock come to Lethbridge via Australia.
 
The MacEwan Griffins, who were ranked 15th in coaches poll, opened the Canada West season last weekend with a pair of losses to Alberta Golden Bears. The Bears upended the Griffins 85-56 and 97-46 in a home-and-home series.
 
Last season, the Pronghorns swept their weekend series with the Griffins in Edmonton, while the Griffins finished out of the playoffs with a 5-15 record.
 
During their opening weekend, Jake Notice led the Griffins offensively, averaging 15 points in the two games. He scored 21 points in the season opener but only contributed with nine points in the second game.
 
Up Next:
The Pronghorns will head out on the road for two consecutive road weekends traveling to face the UBCO Heat and Alberta Golden Bears.
 
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