Photo Credit: CFJC Today
PLAYOFF PREP

WolfPack men’s basketball team prepares for playoff clash with defending Canada West champion Calgary

Feb 10, 2026 | 5:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — After a sweep of the UNBC Timberwolves last weekend, the TRU men’s basketball team heads into the postseason on a high. The WolfPack’s 12 wins are the third-most that the program has achieved in a Canada West campaign and the most since the 2015-16 season. 


Cason Scott has played a big part in the TRU WolfPack’s success this year. Just last weekend, the Kamloops product helped secure a victory over the UNBC Timberwolves with a go-ahead three-pointer and a blocked shot in the final seconds.

It was, perhaps, a cherry on top of his outstanding rookie year. The Westsyde graduate averaged just over 22 minutes a night, grabbing 4.8 rebounds and sitting second in the program’s rookie record book after finishing the season averaging 11.1 points-per-game. Up next is experiencing his first Canada West playoff game

“I’m stoked,” said Scott, who is in his first year with the WolfPack. “I get to go to Winnipeg. I’ve never been to Winnipeg. Like to go into it knowing it’s a big game, but I also think like it’s just another basketball game and just play it how you usually would. Don’t get too high and get too excited and start making big mistakes.”

For Dami Farinloye, this won’t be a new experience for the fourth-year guard out of Winnipeg. He was part of the WolfPack team that experienced playoff basketball last year. TRU knocked off the Alberta Golden Bears by a score of 78-63 in the play-in game, before dropping their quarter-final matchup, taking the Manitoba Bisons the distance as a heavy underdog. Farinloye is looking to use that playoff experience for this run.

“The energy’s a lot bigger in the playoffs. You know, every possession matters,” said Farinloye, who will be playing in his third career playoff game. “Of course, the preparation, being ready, but just playing in the moment, enjoying the game as much as you can. Like having fun at the end of the day, not thinking too much about it.”

The WolfPack will match up with the 12-8 Calgary Dinos in this year’s Canada West play-in game. The Dinos are the reigning Canada West champions, beating the UBC Thunderbirds in the conference finals last year. TRU Head Coach Chad Jacobson is prioritizing the team to work on their strengths while also getting back to early-season play.

“I think offensively we need to attack. You know, we’re best when we’re playing in transition, when we’re attacking an unset defense,” noted Jacobson. “Just setting the pace early and getting out and getting some easy scores. Then defensively, we’ve got to get back to who we are. We’re a gritty, hard-nosed, physical defensive team and I think if we can do those things, you know, we at least give ourselves a chance.”

The playoff game is taking place in Winnipeg. The winner of the play-in game advances to face the #1-ranked 16-4 Winnipeg Wesmen in the quarter-final on Saturday.