Chance at redemption for Wolverines

In early March there are two kinds of college basketball teams remaining: those looking forward to the NCAA Tournament and those looking to salvage their season by making noise in their conference tournaments. The Wolverine men’s and women’s teams will be the latter, hoping to make noise in the Great West Conference Tournament.

Both Cathy Nixon and Dick Hunsaker, UVU’s women’s and men’s basketball coaches, have no doubt sprouted some grey hair as they’ve guided their teams through subpar seasons this year.

The lady Wolverines have won six games all season and sit in sixth place in the GWC standings, a far cry from the Robin Fairbanks-led teams of not so long ago. The men’s team isn’t in much better shape. They have won 11 games and are middle of the pack in the GWC standings. Where are Ronnie Price and Ryan Toolson when you need them?

But the magic of March comes in the success of teams in the same position as the Wolverines. And this weekend will be no different, when UVU will host the GWC Tournament, setting the stage for both teams to make a run towards a GWC championship.

Nixon will rely on senior Julie Smith to put up points in order for the Wolverines to collect some wins on the home court. Smith has led her team in scoring in 17 games this year and will be relied on again by her teammates.

On the men’s side, Hunsaker will look to senior guard Jordan Swarbrick to pace the Wolverines throughout the tournament. UVU could also use a big stretch of games from Shawn Deadwiler and Justin Baker.

The tournament will take place March 10-13 in the UVU Events Center.