Taylor has kept Cougs near the top
Mar. 11, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
For the University of Regina Cougars, appearing in the CIS women's basketball tournament is not a novel idea.
The team -- which is set to make its 10th appearance at nationals in a 13-year span and its 14th overall -- has led to great expectations for the Cougars. But the recent run of success also has created a Catch-22 of sorts.
"I look at us as establishing ourselves as one of the dominant programs in the country over the last 13 years," head coach Dave Taylor said before the Cougars left for Hamilton, where the 2010 CIS tournament is to begin Friday. "It's us, Laval and Simon Fraser that have been at nationals consistently.
"Have we walked away with the big prize a lot? No, and it's human nature to look at that. But we pride ourselves on our goal of getting to nationals every year and giving ourselves a chance to win it."
Regina started a run of five straight appearances at the CIS tournament in 1998, when it lost in the bronze-medal game. The Cougars lost in the first round in '99, won the bronze in 2000, claimed the national title in '01, and lost in the bronze-medal game in '02.
After failing to qualify for nationals in '03, the Cougars returned in '04 and lost in the gold-medal game. The following season, Regina lost in the first round.
The Cougars didn't reach either of the '06 or '07 CIS tournaments, but returned in '08. In that event, and again in the '09 tournament, Regina lost in the final.
"In '08, we overachieved as a team dramatically," Taylor said. "I didn't think we were the second-best team in the country (behind the UBC Thunderbirds). In '09, we were the second-best team in the country (behind the Simon Fraser Clan).
"Do I think we can overachieve again and beat a team that's better than us? Absolutely. Do I also hope this (appearance) will help us continue this program's development? Again, absolutely."
The Cougars are to begin play at the 2010 tournament Friday against the Laval Rouge et Or. The teams have a history at the CIS tournament: The Cougars beat Laval in a consolation semifinal in '89 and in a semifinal in '08, but the Rouge et Or defeated Regina in a semifinal in '02 and in the first round in '05.
Winning Friday's game would keep alive Regina's hopes for a second title.
"Looking back, we've been to nationals 10 times since '98 and have only one title," Taylor said. "Of course, we'd like to have more. But at the same time, we've got to keep perspective and focus on what we're doing well.
"When I took this job (four seasons ago), my focus was to keep this as one of the top programs in the country. I think I've done that."
The key, in Taylor's eyes, has been the program's ability to recruit the best local talent -- Taylor said Regina players have a reputation across the country for their grittiness and work ethic -- while filling holes in the lineup with players from outside of the area.
As well, the Cougars' past accomplishments have created a culture within the team that promotes more success.
As for what has kept the U of R from winning more titles in the past . . .
"The teams we've lost to, on the whole, have a better talent level," Taylor said. "We're competing against teams from B.C. At the (inter)provincial level, B.C. is always in the final. The talent level is greater there."
That said, Taylor believes the Cougars can beat any team -- including the No. 1-ranked Clan -- if they play to the best of their abilities. Regina went 16-4 in the regular season and 3-1 in the playoffs, and has been ranked anywhere between second and fourth in the CIS all season.
So even if the Cougars don't bring home the Bronze Baby, Taylor won't consider the season unsuccessful.
"If you set yourself up that anything less than a national championship is a failure," he said, "then you're not going to have a whole lot of success."
Access Communications customers in Regina, Weyburn and Estevan can see Friday's game on a tape delay starting at 9:30 p.m. All other Access customers can see the game live at 7 p.m.
Access also will show a Saturday semifinal (7 p.m.) and Sunday's bronze-medal game (11 a.m.) live even if the Cougars aren't in those games.