Scott Allen says he still wants potential basketball recruits who choose the Trinity Western University Spartans men's basketball program because of what the school stands for and how hard they are willing to work to win a CIS national championship.



But as Allen will also admit, it doesn't hurt when you are playing your home games within the shiny, new $53-million Langley Events Centre.



"You bring a recruit in here and show them the facility and their eyes open when they see the Jumbotron," laughed Allen on Thursday as his CIS No. 10-ranked Spartans prepared to play their first-ever Canada West league games in their new home tonight (8 p.m.) and Saturday (7 p.m.) against the Victoria Vikes. (The women's teams play at 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively on the same nights.)



"I love the idea that now we have our offices here, a first-class weight facility, our team room. We have everything here to rival a mid-major NCAA Div. 1 school."