The UFV Cascades are often synonymous with grit, conditioning, and will, but this edition of the basketball team can score opponents out of the building. Despite appearing far more intimidating on the scoresheet this season, as a whole UFV’s points per game are nearly identical to a year ago. What makes this team look so scary is how many smaller areas in which they have improved.
Offensive rebounding is one. The Cascades are averaging 12 offensive boards per-game. Another is the addition of Marcus Flores, whose presence in the rotation has introduced a new scoring threat and added another dimension to the team’s offensive game plan. There is constant motion, plenty of size, and the starting five can all pass and shoot. UFV’s 18.1 assists per game rank third trailing only Victoria and Brandon.
The biggest development, however, appears to be a clearer understanding of who should have the ball in key moments.
UFV’s comfort level on offence looks much more fluid this season, though their three-point shooting has yet to become a true weapon. The personnel are there, though. Bona fide sharpshooter Dilveer Randhawa leads the way, shooting 37 per cent from three, while Ismael Hernandez, Jaylen Lee, and Dario Lopez — now back in the lineup — are all credible threats from beyond the arc. Still, UFV does not gameplan around the three. The Cascades have attempted the fourth-fewest in the league and have made more than only MacEwan. Their 29 per cent success rate from deep is respectable, but pushing that number into the 30s would place them among the top 10 three-point shooting teams in Canada West (CW).
One of the more interesting developments has been UFV’s defence on offence. The Cascades have limited opponents to a league-low 7.2 steals per game average, down from 8.9 last season, when they ranked 10th. UFV’s ball protecting prowess has led to the lowest turnover per game committed (13.8) of any team, down from last year’s 15.9.
Bennett O’Connor has delivered in clutch moments, helping the Cascades close out seven wins already this season. However, it is his facilitation that has been instrumental to UFV’s potent offence. O’Connor’s 4.6 assists per game rank fifth in the league, and with multiple passing options at his disposal, the team has benefitted from the point-guard’s play alongside Lopez since the latter’s return, even calling him one of the best he’s ever played with.
“He’s definitely top-two, and he’s not two. So I’ll give him that, alright, I’ll give him that. He’s a great player. I love playing with him.”
The 2025-26 Cascades are shooters. They take a lot of shots, and they aren’t shy about it. Ending the first semester on a five-game winning streak, UFV’s 749 field-goal attempts rank fifth in CW, clicking at 43 per cent on the campaign. Victoria remains the benchmark in U SPORTS, converting on a league-high 47 per cent of field goals. If the Cascades could marginally raise their efficiency to, say 45 per cent, they would sit neck-and-neck with perennial powerhouse UBC, and just behind Brandon at 46 per cent.
UFV’s next opponent is the Victoria Vikes on Jan. 9.
