KW Titans prepare to tip off against Windsor Express in playoffs

For the KW Titan's first season, a third place finish in the central division is pretty satisfying for the team.

Titans general manager Stu Julius said they always want to do better, but making the playoffs was a big goal that they reached.

"We're very happy where we are and we're happy to be in the playoffs," he said in an interview with The Morning Edition host Craig Norris on Friday. "It gives us another extension and we're playing fairly well right now so we're looking forward to the next couple of weeks."

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The Titans will finish the season Saturday night with a game against the Windsor Express at home.Going into the game, they have a 19-20 record.

Looking back over the season, Julius said they're pleased with how things have gone.

Highlights for him includingopening day (on Boxing Day) when they had 2,300 people in the stands, or the Jan. 8 game when they beat the London Lightning, the team his son coaches,126-116.

Anything can happen in playoffs

The Titans will also face Windsor in the first round of the playoffs. In the National Basketball League of Canada, the last-place team in each division is dropped from playoffs. There are two divisions central and Atlantic with five teams in each.

The Titans have lost five of six meetings with the Express, but every game has been close.

"We're going to really shoot the ball well. When we shoot the ball well, we can play with anybody," Julius said.

"Where we are right now, I'm very confident we can stretch it to five games and who knows what's going to happen."

Building team and fans

Looking ahead for the future of the team, Julius said this was a great first year for building a fan base and a great team.

In terms of fans, the crowds that have come out have been supportive and he said he's never heard from anyone who had a bad experience. He said the games are family friendly and fans are supportive.

As well, the players have been going out to schools to talk to students and really become part of the community.

As for the team, it can be a challenge to recruit players in the first year because they often don't want to go to a new franchise, unsure how they'll be treated or how well the team will do. As the Titans gain experience, they'll also gain more experienced players.