The defending Quebec champion Concordia Stingers will host one of the NCAA’s top men’s basketball teams, the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Gauchos, at Concordia gym on Sunday at noon.
The Gauchos are coming off back-to-back Big West Tournament championships and consecutive appearances at the NCAA Tournament. In 2011 they lost their first game 79-51 to the Florida Gators and the previous year, they lost 68-51 to Ohio State. Both times UCSB went into its bracket seeded 15th.
“It will be a matchup of conference champions,” said Concordia head coach John Dore. “We’re expecting an intense contest and a high scoring game, especially with their guard Orlando Johnson, who is expected to be a first round draft pick in the NBA in 2012.”
Johnson’s list of accomplishments is extensive. He was the 2009-10 Big West Player of the Year and was selected the Big West Tournament Most Valuable Player for two straight years.
Last season he averaged 21.1 points a game and 6.2 rebounds. He entered his name in the NBA draft last spring but deferred it to 2012 when it seemed like he wouldn’t be a first round draft selection. Johnson checks in at six foot five, 205 pounds.
This past summer, Johnson suited up for Team USA at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China. The Americans finished fifth after losing 76-74 to Lithuania in the quarterfinals. Canada, featuring Concordia all-Canadian guard Kyle Desmarais, won a silver medal. The Canadians defeated Lithuania 83-68 in the semifinal to advance to the championship game.
“We’ll have Kyle back in the lineup,” Dore said. “It will be his first game back since he suffered a minor injury at the University Games.”
The Stingers have a long history of playing top NCAA schools, including the Virginia Cavaliers, the Duke Blue Devils and the Illinois Fight Illini in recent years. Concordia defeated the latter 86-82 on Sept. 2, 2007. The Stingers won’t be intimidated by UCSB’s reputation.
“No way,” said fitfh-year guard Decee Krah. “We’re confident. We’re a veteran team. We’re well prepared. We play well together and we know how to win.”
Earlier this year, the Stingers were edged out 85-82 by the Niagara University Purple Eagles (Aug. 31). After this Sunday’s game, they will focus on training camp and preparing for the Quebec conference schedule. The next games will be at the annual Concordia-Nike tournament Oct. 7-8.
The Concordia game is the last stop for the UC Santa Barbara men’s basketball team, wrapping up a 10-day, five- game tour of Eastern Canada.
