Dan the Man
Tough and trusted guard Dan Zimmerman will be recognized before the Friday, February 2nd game versus the Columbia Bible College Bearcats
NANAIMO - Mariners guard Dan Zimmerman, the sole graduating student-athlete from the 2023-24 men's basketball roster, will be recognized prior to VIU's February 2nd game versus Columbia Bible College.
Zimmerman, a fourth-year guard who played all of his four seasons at VIU, was a member of the vaunted Duchess Park basketball program in Prince George. He has earned PACWEST gold and two silvers as well as a CCAA bronze medal in his three completed seasons and has been in the majority of VIU's starting lineups this year.
Fans are asked to be in their seats prior to 7:45 p.m. for the recognition ceremony. The game will begin shortly after.
NEED TO KNOW
VIU (17-1, 1st PACWEST) vs Columbia Bible College (9-9, 3rd PACWEST)
Friday, February 2 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 3 at 3 p.m.
The Bearcats are the only team that has beaten VIU so far this season: a 91-72 result in Abbotsford in November. CBC is only 2-4 in 2024 but three of those losses were single-digit deficits.
The Mariners are 6-0 since the calendar switched to 2024. Last weekend, VIU swept Okanagan College 70-64 and 89-51.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CBC: Damein Coleman Jr. is the only Bearcat in the conference top 15 in scoring, sitting 7th at 14.22 points-per-game. However, he is a major contributor on and off the ball, and he leads the PACWEST in rebounding (10.44 per game) and is second in steals (2.83 per game).
VIU: Kai Leighton, VIU's athlete of the week, has evolved into a double-double threat with scoring and rebounding. Adam Anhold sits fourth in conference points-per-game (15.33) and second in rebounds (9.44 per game).
ALUMNI WEEKEND
The Mariners are proud to recognize the 10th anniversary of the 2013 CCAA national championship team and the 30th anniversary of the 1994 national championship team at half time of Saturday's game (February 3, approximately 3:40 p.m.).
Basketball alumni and their families can attend the Saturday, February 3rd games between VIU and CBC for free. An alumni section will include complimentary snacks and beverages. An exclusive social at the VIUSU Pub has been arranged for after the varsity games (5 p.m.). For more information and to register, please visit the Eventbrite event page.