Canadian College Hoops

[Durbansandshark]

Legendary CIS basketball coach from the Victoria Vikings (and ex-Canada basketball coach during the 1990s), Ken Shields, proposes a new and fuller scholarship system for the CIS to counter the "massive brain drain" of Canadian student-athletes lured by the far more lucrative ones south of the border in the US with association from Sport Canada and Own the Podium. This is something the CIS has struggled for years, if you been paying any attention here with no common success. Shields cites the diminishing amount of Canadian domestic-based basketball players in both men's and women's Canadian national basketball teams from 1984 to 1994 to the now as one major reason.

I get what Shields is aiming for and like some of his ideas. But the fact is the NCAA is a business and a much more lucrative one than the CIS with alumns serving as boosters to give money to winning programs and fill athletic venues. Plus, unlike the CIS, NCAA sports, even more marginal ones like soccer, ice hockey, and baseball, get far more extensive media coverage than what their CIS counterparts will have with regional sports cable networks and TV cable networks devoted to college sports like CBS College Sports and Fox College Sports. I seriously doubt that TSN and The Score will shell out millions of bucks to the CIS for wall-to-wall coverage of the CIS Final 8 and conference tournaments any time soon. Though they will pledge to cover them more frequently on TV along with what SSN Canada does online. CBC does air amateur sports on TV but never any CIS-related programming as far as I can remember.

Furthermore, a lot of Canadian college students who are also athletes want to be challenged to get better in their skills. Fact is, the US in basketball is where the better depth truly lies and of the fact they will get better media exposure and professional opportunities. Put it another way, have we ever heard of any CIS basketball player making a meaningful impact in the NBA and/or WNBA? Many top CIS players head over to play in the German Bundesliga basketball after their 5-year stint in their schools is up. It remains to be seen what kind of role will the fledging NBL Canada will play in where the top CIS players will help. Year off, I say. Providing them with an incentive to stay north of ther border and to train better with top-notch coach without even the aspect of a part-time job would be good for them. CIS schools shouldn't in EVERY aspect emulate the NCAA (like its cuthroatness). Canada shouldn't really bother with that; it's too different from the US for it to compete with America's post-secondary education funding on a business level. With Canada's stronger social democratic tradition than the US, its support for education makes their universities strong and comparable than ours south of the border.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/can-cis-scholarships-stem-the-athlete-exodus/article2250579/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2250579

[Durbansandshark]

We round the first half of the CIS 2011-12 regular basketball season with a look back on the events this past weekend before the December holiday break and school exams (and the subsequent holiday tournaments like the Windsor Lancers Holiday Classic, UQAM Classic, and the Rod Shoveller Tournament). Makes you wonder will the NCAA ever enact this. No, there's 345 D1 basketball programs, and it can't work for many reasons--like money. It's far easier to do it with far less in the CIS and have games held just on weekends.

Canada West play ended this year when city rivals Manitoba and Winnipeg got together for the Duckworth Challenge in both men's and women's basketball at the Investor's Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg for this. Go back a couple of posts for news on that.

Even currently undergoing a four game losing streak they would like to snap next year, the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack took time to give back to the Kamloops community.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2011/12/2/MBB_1202115701.aspx

Over in Ontario, you possibly could get a better end to the 2011 portion of the season before the Christmas break. Coming into the weekend, when #1 Carleton and #8 Laurier got together Saturday, it was the meeting of the last of the OUA undefeated. Carleton was the best one in the OUA East as #8 Laurier was the class of the OUA West. But the game was just another display of that Ravens supremacy. Carleton busted out of the gate like a sprinter and never looked back at home with their domination on both ends of the court with Tyson Hinz too much to handle, especially at the key, and Willy Manigat fooling defenders to go 8-0. Before then, the Ravens gave the Waterloo Warriors a major expected pounding, even when the Warriors tried to claw their way back with downtown shooting. Brock Badgers score 59 points in the second half to hold down Toronto. McMaster continues to sizzle with weekend wins over their neighbors Toronto (for the first time in 8 years) and Ryerson to go into a three-way tie for first in the OUA West with Lakehead and Laurier. Though the York Lions backcourt was exceptional against Lakehead, York still couldn't buy a win when Lakehead's Brendan King came up big. If you're looking for good games look no further than the following. In their first half of the Ottawa trip, Laurier wins in a heartbreaker for the Gee Gees when Kale Harrison nailed a three-pointer with 8 seconds coming from behind in a close one to give the Golden Hawks the victory, capping it with 31 points. Ottawa regrouped and blasted Waterloo 113-79 the next day. In another one involving Guelph and Laurentian that too was close. What it came down to was Guelph hitting their three-point shots (55%). Laurentian failed to ultimately keep in the fourth quarter when the Voyaguers failed to make their free throws. Lakehead Thunderwolves win an overtime thriller at Laurentian when they rallied from being down from the game's start. Guelph meanwhile later keeps York winless. Windsor sweeps RMC and Queen's in their home weekend series. With the Mustangs' outrebounding and solid defense, Western Ontario makes mincemeat out of RMC to keep them winless. Three Mustangs had sevens boards. Peter Scholtes led the Mustangs with 20 points, but Jermaine Bernard stole the show with his career best.
http://www.oua.ca/sports/basketball/mbasketball/index.html?article_id=11444

Western Ontario had a 4-game losing streak looming on them when facing Queen's. Both teams started off cold in the shooting department. However, the Mustangs weathered a second half surge from the Gaels to get the win. And the Mustangs win again to easybeats RMC later on even with tired legs. York gets a win after being nine points behind at the end of the third quarters into a five-point winner over visiting Lakehead. Guelph's pressing and zoning was way too much for Laurentian to handle and then takes care of York. Ottawa's Hannah Sunley-Paisley was her usual high-octane self when she led the Gee Gees to another win, this time to Laurier. And then does the same, even more so by breezing past the hapless Waterloo Warriors team en route to a six winning streak. Brock, the only undefeated team in OUA, pulls away from Ryerson with 13 points in the final four minutes to end that game and later knocks off Toronto. #3 Windsor's Blue and Gold (aka the Lancers) returned to their winning ways with a weekend sweep against RMC and Queen's before their holiday break that includes their own Lancers Holiday Classic. Nothing like a couple of weaker teams in OUA ball to get back on your proper footing. Angela Tilk gets a double double in the Ryerson Rams win against McMaster. Big story in OUA women's basketball lies in Felicia Mazerolle and Shelby Curt coming off the bench and helping Wilfrid Laurier put a stop to #2 Carleton on the road. Despite having four Ravens in double figures in the game, the Golden Hawks' defense held the Ravens to 37% shooting from the field. Wilfrid Laurier now holds sole possession of third place in the OUA West division.
http://www.oua.ca/sports/basketball/wbasketball/home/index.html?article_id=11443

Congrats to Ottawa's Hannah Sunley-Paisley and Thompson Rivers' Justin King on being CIS Athletes of the Week!
http://www.oua.ca/sports/basketball/wbasketball/home/index.html?article_id=11432

In the only game this weekend and in the entire month of December for the AUS. Both games took place at Cape Breton's Sullivan Fieldhouse. The St. Mary's Huskies women proudly sits atop the AUS conference after they won over Cape Breton 69-65 (http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/38980-hoop-huskies-roll) to go 6-1 in the last AUS women's game of the year like scoring the last four points. This knocks the shorthanded Capers (http://www.gocapersgo.ca/news/2011/12/2/GEN_1202113723.aspx?path=general), the three-time AUS defending champs, off to 3-3 although they played hard all through the game. For the men's version of the match, the Capers endured a slow start to their game before defeating the Huskies impressively 106-84 (http://www.gocapersgo.ca/news/2011/12/2/GEN_1202114914.aspx?path=general) with fifth-year senior Al Alihovic going 11 for 18 to finish with 28 points. This extends the Capers' winning streak to four after two losses to start the season.

Ontario Basketball is pleased to have OUA as a partner
http://www.oua.ca/sports/basketball/mbasketball/index.html?article_id=11409

Ottawa Gee Gees will get better and bigger as it rises to become a power facing against the likes of crosstown rivals Carleton, Windsor, Toronto, and Western Ontario in the OUA. It lands the talented 6'1" F Catherine Triel for next season.
http://crownmagonline.com/recruiting/ottawa-gee-gees-land-forward-catherine-traer/

[Durbansandshark]

Basketball Buzz's report on the Lethbridge Pronghorns' shocking upset of UBC:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/lethbridge-pronghorns-shock-undefeated-ubc-thunderbirds/

Top 10 CIS performers for week 3:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/rankings/top-10-performers-2011-12-basketballbuzz-cis-mens-basketball-week-3/

Carleton gets revenge on Lakehead 85-83 in Thunder Bay, Ontario:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/scrubb-hinz-help-ravens-claw-past-lakehead/link/5870/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLdfwuIsM4I

Week 4 CIS Top Ten performers:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/top-10-performers-2011-12-basketballbuzz-cis-mens-basketball-week-4/

Basketball Buzz update on the CIS Top 25 rankings:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/rankings/basketballbuzz-cis-mens-basketball-top-25-power-rankings-week-4-nov-27-2011/

Week 5 CIS Top Ten performers:
http://basketballbuzz.ca/rankings/top-10-performers-2011-12-basketballbuzz-cis-mens-basketball-week-5/

Highlights from the Toronto Varsity Blues-Windsor Lancers basketball clashes at Toronto's campus:
http://www.youtube.com/user/UofTVarsityBlues?blend=2&ob=5#p/u/7/eUYEgI-79Rg (women)
http://www.youtube.com/user/UofTVarsityBlues?blend=2&ob=5#p/u/8/J9IVbQvVEAY (men)

Could Vancouver Island University Mariners' proposed new C$53 million athletic complex be enough to convince the CIS and Canada West to let them in?
http://basketballbuzz.ca/ccaa/viu-mariners-considering-new-53m-basketball-home/link/5949/

North Pole Hoops recaps the first half of the AUS season so far with undefeated traditional power St. Francis Xavier and UPEI leading the conference while heavy faves this season Acadia surprisingly is at fourth for the season:
http://www.northpolehoops.com/A_Recap_Of_The_AUS_Season_Thus_Far

Capilano bests Douglas to succeed first place in the BCCAA PacWest Division at 5-1:
http://www.northpolehoops.com/Capilano_Secures_PacWest_First_Place_With_Win_Over _Douglas

Douglas Royals' killer combo blasts Quest Kermodes:
http://www.northpolehoops.com/Douglas_Royals_Killer_Combo_of_Athwal_and_Mahal_Cr ushes_Quest_Kermodes

Typical Carleton--they head into the winter break undefeated winning against Laurier (report from NPH):
http://www.northpolehoops.com/Surprise_SurpriseCarleton_Ravens_Enter_Break_Undef eated_with_Win_over_Laurier

Guelph's win over visiting York puts both teams at 4-4 at the women's break. Led by Guelph's Kayla Goodhoofd:
http://www.northpolehoops.com/index.php?action=article&pageid=2f885d0fbe2e131bfc9d98363e55d1d4

[Durbansandshark]

Catching up with some items regarding CIS and CCAA as we are at the December break

CCAA's official website sizes up the competition throughout CCAA's men basketball this season so far as of November 30. This features the likes of Vanier College, VIU, Capsilano, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Humber, Algonquin, MSVU, UKC, Lakeland, and Champlain St. Lambert.
http://www.ccaa.ca/web/index.php/en/mbb-news-archive/872-mens-basketball-sizing-up-the-competition

The women's CCAA version of the 2011-12 basketball season
http://www.ccaa.ca/web/index.php/en/wbb-news-archive/868-womens-basketball-sizing-up-the-competition

Didn't bring up the women's version of the CCAA rankings until now. Defending champs Montmorency Nomades are currently residing at third with the RSEQ rivals Dawson College from Montreal atop the rankings with MacEwan Griffins between them. The UNBC Timberwolves are behind Montmorency. Vanier College is ascending while VIU is descending. Sheridan Bruins, part of the Ontario schools rich in scoring, are of the lower portion of the Top 15 rankings.
http://www.ccaa.ca/web/index.php/en/wbbrankings

All the info you want to know about the 2011 Lancers Holiday Classic as the #2 Windsor Lancers take on Fraser Valley, Bishop's, and Ryerson.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/aotw/2011-12/week_13/20111207-aotw13

Carleton Ravens still leads the way at #1 in the last rankings of CIS men's basketball for the fall semester with #2 St. Francis Xavier, #5 Victoria, and #10 Concordia as the only undefeated teams. Lakehead sits at #2 sandwiched by the two unbeatens. Meanwhile, Regina Cougars, like Carleton, remain untoppled at the top spot in the CIS women's game with Bronze Baby champs Windsor Lancers right behind them. Even with the loss-free record, Brock is still at #6. There are a few teams, largely due to recent reps and strength of schedule I think, that have three losses in the rankings like Carleton, Toronto, and Saskatchewan that are in the top 10.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/top_10_releases/2011-12/20111206-top10-14

Other Top Tens from weeks past.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/top_10_releases/2011-12/20111108-top-10-10
http://english.cis-sic.ca/top_10_releases/2011-12/20111115-top10-11
http://english.cis-sic.ca/top_10_releases/2011-12/20111122-top10-12
http://english.cis-sic.ca/top_10_releases/2011-12/20111129-top10-13

Waterloo women's teams like its basketball and ice hockey ones steps up to raise money for breast cancer research. Like donating their hair.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/cis_news/2011-12/releases/20111207-76

X-Women also help in the breast cancer fight.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/cis_news/2011-12/releases/20111128-44

This being CIS' 50th anniversary we take a look back at some of the more notable names that the graced CIS basketball landscape in years past and what they're doing now.

Lethbridge Pronghorns' alltime assist leader Tim Rollingson now a dentist and girls' minor basketball coach. Still a fixture at the Pronghorns basketball games and also does dental work for the hockey teams.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/lethbridge/let_rollingson

Linda Marquis from Laval's basketball team now serves as its head coach for over 27 seasons.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/laval/lav_marquis

I remember this story when her profile was on Sports Illustrated years ago and the inspiring story to come back from such an awful on court injury and subsequent amputation for Brandon's Tracey McLeod. For many Americans, her story was an intro to Canadian college basketball and that was it. The CIS has an award in Tracey's hono(u)r, who still has a passion for basketball through it all.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/brandon/bra_macleod

Jacquie Lavallee, a two-time All-Canadian in basketball and soccer, heads into teaching to in her alma mater reaching out to Saskatchewan youth.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/saskatchewan/sas_lavallee

Joyce Slipp, a legend in UNB Varsity Red as a player and then coach. She was captain for the Canadians during the first Olympic women's basketball competition in Montreal.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/unb/unb_slipp

Former Waterloo star Kim Rau now runs a pedohritic company
http://english.cis-sic.ca/50th/success_stories/waterloo/waterloo_rau

Atlantic University Sports is more than pleased to see St. Francis Xavier's Jeremy Dunn and St. Mary's Justine Colley named CIS Male and Female Athletes of the Week.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/aotw/2011-12/week_13/20111207-aotw13

[Durbansandshark]

Meet Dalyce Emerson. A former 6'3" ballerina turned Saskatchewan Huskies basketball star making an immediate impact as a rookie.
http://basketballbuzz.ca/women/a-6-foot-3-ballerina-in-basketball-shoes/link/5811/

Another article on how Carleton got their revenge on Lakehead
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/champs-show-why-they-are-so/link/5880/

A belated look at what to look for this season in the OUA men's basketball season--no surprise with the Carleton Ravens
http://www.northpolehoops.com/OUA_What_to_Look_For_Carleton_and_Lakehead_on_Top

Douglas upsets VIU
http://basketballbuzz.ca/ccaa/douglas-royals-upset-4-ranked-team-in-the-country-vancouver-island-led-by-35-from-ravi-athwal/link/5832/

[Durbansandshark]

Simon Fraser starts off on the wrong foot in their start of Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a loss to nationally ranked the Seattle Pacific Falcons 68-57 in Seattle. No shame in losing to them.
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/2010-2011/a-tale-of-two-halves-as-montana-state-comes-back-to-beat-the-cla.html

Simon Fraser had a 16-point lead against the Montana St.-Billings Yellow Jackets at the half but couldn't hold to it and thus lost in Billings.
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/2010-2011/a-tale-of-two-halves-as-montana-state-comes-back-to-beat-the-cla.html

Another tough loss for the Clan. This time to the Academy of the Arts Urban Knights, who had three players finishing with at least 20 points, at home in Burnaby, British Columbia 84-83 despite a furious rally.
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/basketball-mens/too-little-too-late-for-the-clan.html

SFU men's team held a basketball clinic this Saturday
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/basketball-mens/clan-men-s-basketball-clinic-saturday.html

The Clan return to the win column by beating easybeats Kwantlen Eagles 87-39
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/basketball-mens/clan-win-big-over-kwantlen-to-get-back-in-the-win-column.html

Men's 2011-12 GNAC basketball preview, featuring Simon Fraser:
http://www.gnacsports.com/mbasketball/201112GNACMBasketballPreview.pdf

Capilano from the CCAA becomes one of the recent Clan victims with Simon Fraser going 3-1
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/2010-2011/clan-win-second-straight.html

2011-12 Simon Fraser women's basketball preview:
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/2010-2011/2011-12-women-s-basketball-preview.html

The men couldn't beat Montana St.-Billings. But the women did 62-52 led by Kristina Collins and her 26 points that included 4-4 from the free throw line and six three pointers. The Yellowjackets were so focused on containing Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe to that allowed Collins and other teammates step up.
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/2010-2011/collins-leads-the-clan-over-the-yellowjackets.html

Nationally ranked Grand Canyon Antelopes got the Clan's number this past weekend in Phoenix. The first game, Simon Fraser dealt with poor shooting that sealed their fate. Later, the Clan endured a heartbreaker in the second with a slim lead close to the end only to see the Antelopes come back to win.
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/basketball-womens/poor-shooting-costs-the-clan-against-grand-canyon.html
http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/basketball-womens/clan-lose-a-heartbreaker-to-grand-canyon.html

[Durbansandshark]

Get ready for the much-anticipated CIS debut of Bol Kong, previously at Gonzaga and at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, for Ken Konchalski's St. Francis Xavier X-Men, starting at the Rod Shoveller Tournament.

http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/bol-kong-ready-for-cis-basketball-debut/link/6026/
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/bol-kong-returns-helps-st-fx-narrowly-defeat-gee-gees-in-ot-thriller-at-the-2011-rod-shoveller/

[Durbansandshark]

CIS basketball returns to start the 2012 portion of this season a couple of days ago!

Canada West basketball resumes tonight when #5 Victoria Vikings put their eight-game winning streak on the line at their home court when two tough Prairie Division foes, #4 Saskatchewan and #6 Alberta visit them with winning streaks of their own. The Huskies lead the CIS in rebounding, and the Golden Bears have the best D in Canada West.

Thompson Rivers Wolfpack hope to start the new year right at their Kamloops, BC home following a four-game losing streak when two Manitoba schools, the Manitoba Bison and the Winnipeg Wesmen, face off against them. TRU's Justin King is the story for Canada West this season by leading the CIS in scoring, third in field goal percentage, and first in defensive rebounding, second overall in that, seventh in steals, and fourth in minutes.

Those two Manitoba schools will also face off this weekend at newbie UBC-Okanagan as the Heat aspire to make their home a tough play to play. The Bison feature four of its players averaging in double figures--Jonar Huertas, Kurtis Sansregret, Stephan Walter, and Kevin Oliver. UBC-Okanagan expects to have PG Yassine Ghomari continue as its leading scorer with perhaps Turk Yigit Ozsayiner sharing the load for the Bison. Winnipeg just got Andrew Cunningham back from injury to start the second half.

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/5/MBB_0105120226.aspx

It was announced in December that the Saskatchewan Huskies and the Ottawa Gee Gees will host and play in the two CIS women's West and East, respectively, regional tournaments this year (reduced from last year's three) before Calgary's Final 8 tournament.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2011/12/15/WBB_1215111035.aspx

Pacific Division leaders UBC hosts Alberta and Saskatchewan for the weekend. Leading Canada West in scoring this season, second-year Thunderbirds guard Kris Young has 20.3 with a .500 field goal percentage and also leads the conference and team in free throw percentage and assists, respectively. Those same two Prairie schools will also touch down on Vancouver Island for the weekend to see the Victoria Vikes. Kate Miazakyi is the lead everything on this Huskies team. Nicole Clarke is reliable for the Pandas as a shooter.

Winnipeg and Manitoba women's basketball teams also visit Kamloops to see Thompson Rivers, who are starting a four-game Canada West home stand, and also travel to Okanagan to see the Heat, a team that haven't played regular season action since November 26. UBC-Okanagan Heat 6'0" post player Andrea Filipkova from the Czech Republic was activated in time for this weekend. Heat's top scoring pair Madison Kaneda and Roz Huber hope to get their offense going.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/3/WBB_0103122248.aspx

Ontario college basketball restarted Wednesday and will resume again for the week tonight. The notable results from that Wednesday night are #6 Brock Badgers women stay unbeaten at 9-0 with a win over the Guelph Gryphons. Guelph native Bree Chaput gives a career performance for Wilfrid Laurier as the Golden Hawks win over the hapless Waterloo Warriors. Bronze Baby winners and defending champs Windsor Lancers are still winning by beating McMaster in the first of their three consecutive home games at the St. Denis Centre led by Jessica Clemencon's 22 points and 10 rebounds. Korissa Williams almost had a double double herself.

In the men's games that started the second half, Wilfird Laurier destroys their Waterloo counterparts by reaching 100 points for the third time this season. Brock's men wins again going 7-2 in a close one against Guelph 77-74. Windsor's own men's team defeats McMaster thanks to pressure defense in the fourth quarter after holding precariously the lead in the previous three.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/5/MBBall_0105122208.aspx

First games of the second half in RSEQ ball took place involving the Concordia Stingers visiting the UQAM Citadins in Montreal. Concordia won the men's match 73-60 with the women's game also going the Stingers' way 74-55.
http://www.sports.uqam.ca/nouvelles/index.php?news=1286

Acadia and Cape Breton start the 2012 potion of Atlantic University basketball at the Axemen's home. Acadia took no prisoners in the games yesterday, especially in the men's version with Anthony Sears going off with 35 points to lead Acadia into third place behind UPEI and St. Francis Xavier. All starting five players on the women's team scored in double digits.
http://mensbasketball.acadiau.ca/mens-basketball-news-reader-page/items/capers-trounced-in-first-meeting-since-semi-final.html
http://womensbasketball.acadiau.ca/womens-basketball-news-reader-page/items/basketball-axewomen-send-capers-home-with-94-83-loss.html

Back next week with more as more teams across Canada get to start 2012 basketball.

[Durbansandshark]

#1 Carleton Ravens aim for 8 CIS titles. Everything's shaping up very good for them so far this season. This could very well be the best Ravens basketball team ever assembled. Even the Ravens women and the Ottawa Gee Gees basketball teams are cooking up something good for Ottawa basketball!
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Ravens+something+special/5954528/story.html

St. Francis Xavier X-Men's legendary coach Ken Konchalski, the other Coach K, closes in on the magic 800-win record. With the way how the #2 team in Canada is playing, the milestone for him will be in short order. Don't look for anybody in CIS to reach that in a long time to come.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/48619-coach-k-nears-800-wins

[Durbansandshark]

Let's start things off with this past weekend's CIS basketball stories by celebrating and saluting the milestone of a coaching legend. Saturday night witnessed history when Ken Konchalski from Elmhurst, New York became the first member of the CIS 800-win club when his undefeated #2 St. Francis Xavier X-Men won at the their Antigonish, Nova Scoatia Oland Centre home court over New Brunswick Reds 87-68 with 900 fans in attendance. Just seems right to accomplish that at home. No one else there comes. All of his head coaching wins came at St. Francis Xavier in his 37 years as head coach there. His CV warrants merit winning AUS and CIS titles and being involved with Canada Basketball. His importance in the development of Canadian basketball, particularly the popularity of the sport in Atlantic Canada, should not be denied. A former star player at Acadia who was part of the Axemen's 1965 CIS title as Tournament MVP, Konchalski now wants to focus on the rest of the season and stay as a national power. So now we got two Coach Ks in the 800 Club; yes, it's not the NCAA, but Konchalski should be mentioned in the same breath whenever we talk about college basketball coaches in terms of accomplishments. Ken Konchalski, I congratulate you! :)
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120107-k
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1738

With this, we'll head westward in this CIS installment, St. Mary's Huskies complete a home weekend sweep of the previously undefeated UPEI Panthers in Halifax even with a spirited fourth quarter comeback from the Panthers in the second game.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1741
http://www.upei.ca/athletics/mens-basketball/m-basketball-jan-7-smu
http://www.upei.ca/athletics/mens-basketball/m-basketball-jan-8-smu

Dalhousie Tigers themselves enjoyed a weekend sweep of their own grounding the Memorial Sea Hawks in the Sea Hawks' own nest in St. John's Newfoundland 89-76 and 92-82.
http://www.goseahawks.ca/news_events/wkend_smry/2012jan7&8review.php

Dalhousie's Nathan Smith played 6 minutes going scoreless and an assist and a turnover to his name in the first game. In the second game of the weekend series at Memorial, he had 2 points and one defensive rebound in his minutes.

The big story out in Ontario University basketball this weekend dealt with how the road teams overall came out with a 8-5 record when it was all said and done. The #1 Carleton Ravens, as you would expect, was dominant over hapless York and Laurentian to remain on their winning streak dating from last season's Final 8 in Halifax. Toronto did likewise upon visiting equally poor RMC and Queen's to go .500 and third place in the OUA East Division. Ottawa goes into York's den and though the Lions were scrappy at the beginning, the Gee Gees managed to eventually pull away. Before that, Ottawa played smart versus Laurentian. Lakehead, Wilfrid Laurier, and Windsor were the successful home teams for the weekend, but only the Lakehead Thunderwolves got themselves a weekend sweep in their Thunder Bay home against the Western Ontario Mustangs. In their only game that wekend, the Windsor Lancers gave Chris Oliver his 100th coaching wins with their overcoming the Guelph Gryphons at home and tie with the Brock Badgers at 7-3. Brock lost to Wilfrid Laurier in dominating fashion to the Golden Hawks' amazing season continues. McMaster goes to nine wins winning over Waterloo. Ryerson also succeeds with road win over Queen's and especially destroying RMC.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/9/MBBall_0109123535.aspx

Saskatchewan knocks the Victoria Vikes off from the land of the unbeaten on Friday with a close one 86-81 to go five straight. But Victoria got back to winning beating the in a weekend split at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. UBC wins their home weekend games at the War Memorial Gym in Vancouver over Alberta in overtime and then with Saskatchewan. The latter game saw the Thunderbirds undergo shooting woes and turnovers before digging deep to win. Fraser Valley Cascades split their home weeknd series with a win against Calgary to go on a four-game winning streak but loses to Lethbridge when the Pronghorns came to town after losing to Trinity Western. The Spartans then defeat Calgary. After ratcheting another loss in the UBC-Okanagan Heat's debut Canada West/CIS season at home by 25 to Manitoba, the Heat rebounds to get their second win of the season against the Winnipeg Wesmen. Thompson Rivers Wolfpack earlier turned Winnipeg into mincemeat prey. Brandon pounces on Regina and never looks back. But the two schools end up splitting the weekend series with the Cougars finish with a win in spite of a Bobcats surge in the fourth quarter, even outscoring them in that. Manitoba is now the only team in Canada West with an extensive winning streak at 5 as the Bison stop the Wolfpack.
http://canadawest.org/news/2012/1/6/MBB_0106125152.aspx
http://canadawest.org/news/2012/1/7/MBB_0107120827.aspx

Women's CIS games will arrive tomorrow.

[Durbansandshark]

Forgot about the Quebec schools in last installment! I'll get into them right now. McGill traveled to Quebec City to face Laval. Laval's men's team got the better of the McGill Redmen team in front of 1075 fans at the PEPS, also the home of the NBL Canada's Quebec Kebs, 71-65 in overtime. But in the women's game, the Marlets defeat the Rouge et D'Or 68-62 erasing a 16-point deficit, making it the second consecutive game the Martlets won on the strength of a big comeback. Previously, Quebec City's Laval has not been very kind to the McGill women as the Martlets lost 24 out of the last 26 games there. Annette-Him Lazerenko scored 17 points with her teammate Francoise Charest, back in her hometown, added 16 for the McGill's big win.
http://www.rougeetor.ulaval.ca/les_clubs/basketball/nouvelles/nouvelle/article//basketball-rouge-et-orbrle-dernier-droit-samorcera-le-vendredi-6-janvier-au-peps/index.html
http://www.mcgill.ca/athletics/newsroom/spotlight/item/?item_id=213065

Bishop's returned to RSEQ play last week with road games to UQAM in Montreal. Bishop's slow start against UQAM hurt them ultimately in the women's game 77-69 as the home Citadins held down to 23 points in the first two quarters en route to their first win of the season. Three of the Gaiters players were scratched, impacting the overall team play in that game. The Bishop's men fared no better with a third quarter proved to be their undoing 73-60 turning ice cold shooting-wise after hanging in there closely at the half with the Citadins. Still winless.
http://www.gaiters.ca/article/first_half_struggles_send_gaiters_to_defeat_at_uqa m
http://www.gaiters.ca/article/gaiters_suffer_men_s_basketball_loss_at_uqam1
http://www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/nouvelles/index.php?news=1287

When we last saw them, the UNB Varsity Reds women basketball team surely endured their first half struggles with lots of factors working against them (on and off the court) that eventually saw some promise rising during the interconference basketball tournaments during the break (http://varsityreds.ca/news/2012/1/5/WBB_0105124624.aspx), but now that the second half is now underway, perhaps the Reds are turning the corner. First up last week was a trip to Antigonish, Nova Scotia to see the X-Women. Both teams came out of that with a weekend split (http://www.goxgo.ca/news/2012/1/8/WB_0108120503.aspx).

Dalhousie coach Anna Stammberger was more than pleased with Alex Legge's return to the Tigers in the second half as a player with injuries, studies, and coaching delaying things (http://athletics.dal.ca/news_events/tiger_headlines/2012/January/3/legge_returns_to_lineup.html). Dalhousie faced their longtime CIS rivals in Newfoundland the Memorial Sea Hawks to start the new year and got swept there (http://www.goseahawks.ca/news_events/wkend_smry/2012jan7&8review.php). The Sea Hawks were just too strong on both ends of the floor with their good decisions in the first game, winning their first game of the season. In the second, the Sea Hawks struggled and were disjointed, making that one a much closer affair. Dalhousie even had the lead before losing it with a Sea Hawks rally led by Ally Forsey and the team's timely shots.

UPEI Panthers were on the road in Halifax, and, scoring-wise, it was a lot like the Memorial-Dalhousie games going on then at the same time. St. Mary's Huskies swept the weekend. Huskie Justine Colley scored what proved to be game-winner with 17 seconds left in the second game to stay on top of the AUS standings at 8-1. Colley scored a combined 44 points during the weekend. UPEI hopes for better things in the new year like playing more competitive and stealing road wins (http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/2012-01-07/article-2857028/Women-Panthers-look-for-better-things-in-2012-in-basketball/1#.TwiTH8i0ZH8.facebook). No wins yet, but they'll come.
http://www.smuhuskies.ca/wbballvspei.html
http://www.upei.ca/athletics/womens-basketball/w-basketball-jan-7-smu
http://www.upei.ca/athletics/womens-basketball/w-basketball-jan-8-smu

In Ontario, Carleton dominates their weekend games at York and Laurentian. #2 Windsor, in their only game this past weekend, shows no mercy to Guelph at home as Jessica Clemencon scores another double double (23 pts, 10 rebounds, the only one in the game) with two other Lancers scoring double-digits in points. Iva Peklova grabbed 12 rebounds with her defense. Ottawa does the same with both York and Laurentian that weekend. OUA Women's Athlete of the Week from Queen's Brittany Moore moves up to fifth in the OUA women's alltime scoring record as she helped Queen's go to above .500 (over Ryerson) and then later back to that in their weekend split. Lakehead sweeps the Western Ontario Mustangs with some controversial circumstances involving the timekeeping and the last minute heroics of Thunderwolves Lindsay Drurey and Lacey McNulty to stop a Western tide. #10 Toronto wins their weekend games against RMC (by being dominant) and Queen's (in a game that featured five Varsity Blues players in double figures). McMaster starts the new year winning over a young Waterloo team. Laurier ends the Broick Badgers' time as an unbeaten team.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/9/WBBall_0109120105.aspx

Over in Canada West, #1 Regina Cougars have a 9-game winning streak from the weekend, where they sported the pink alternate Cougars jerseys for breast cancer awareness and remain the only unbeaten team in the conference. They blasted poor winless Brandon, who now have a 10-game losing streak. UBC Thunderbirds maintain their hold of the Pacific Division lead with wins over Alberta and halting Saskatchewan's 5-game winning streak in Vancouver. Alberta Pandas get a serious scare from Victoria but emerge victorious. Fraser Valley is on the Thunderbirds' heels at second in the Pacific and a share of that division's lead. The Cascades won their sixth straight at the Envision Athletic Centre with Lethbridge and Calgary. Calgary struggles during the weekend but get a split to stay in pace with Regina and Alberta thanks to a win over Trinity Western. Diane Schultze was the women for Thompson Rivers in their back-to-back wins to send Lethbridge to six losses in a row and stop Winnipeg. Earlier, Lethbridge had their lights out by Trinity Western. UBC-Okanaga splits at home against the Manitoba schools Manitoba and Winnipeg.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/6/WBB_0106122917.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/7/WBB_0107124400.aspx

[Durbansandshark]

Canada West dealt with this past weekend Thompson Rivers hosting #5 British Columbia, #4 Saskatchewan Huskies heading westward to see the Calgary Dinos, and #6 Victoria greeting #10 Fraser Valley as highlights (http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/12/MBB_0112125049.aspx). The Thunderbirds continue their winning ways with their weekend sweep of the Wolfpack. Calgary, in an all-important weekend series with several weeks to go, managed to get an upset split with the Huskies to stay in contention for the fourth and final spot in the Prairie Division playoff spot currently occupied by Brandon. Jamelle Barrett, reigning Canada West MVP, put up 40 points in the latter game win for the Huskies. Victoria may be still the top dog of the Pacific, but the Vikings can only get a split with the Cascades, holders of the third and final Pacific playoff spot. Manitoba goes on a 6-game winning streak, solidly in their playoff spot, knocking off Regina. Alberta wins their weekend with their punishment of the slipping Lethbridge Pronghorns. Brandon was in a good weekend battle with the Winnipeg Wesmen that ended in a draw. Trinity Western is rising for the playoffs going four in a row sweeping UBC-Okanagan in Kamloops.

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/12/MBB_0112123813.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/14/MBB_0114123824.aspx

Ho-hum in the latest chapter of the MBNA Capital Hoops Classic at Ottawa's ScotiaBank Place. The #1 men's team in Canada, the Carleton Ravens win another one over the Ottawa Gee Gees to stay undefeated...but their female counterparts, ranked 6th, ended up losing to #7 Ottawa for the first time in the Capital Hoops Classic. The Gee Gees' offensive push and defensive stops cooled the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Toronto women goes into a second-place tie in the OUA East beating city rivals Ryerson. Enrico De Lorento's 26 points for Windsor helps the Lancers to pull away from Western Ontario in London. The Lancer women jumps all over the Mustangs right from the start. Laurier's strong performance in the second half that included Felice Mazerolle's own strong 17 point performance saw the Golden Hawks beat the Guelph Gryphons on the road. The men's team came back in their game against Guelph. Brock's basketball teams rolled over hapless Waterloo.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/19/MBBall_0119123400.aspx

Notable record chasing and milestones for OUA basketball players and coaches:
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/13/MBBall_0113121941.aspx

Laurentian was just too much for Queen's and RMC. So was the York Lions in their destruction of easybeats RMC in the Lions' best offensive putout this season and then edges Queen's later. Though the Gee Gees stumbled out to begin with against Toronto, Ottawa outplays and outworks the Varsity Blues and the Rams in their Toronto weekend double thanks to the Scrubb brothers. The powerhouse #1 Ravens came by and later inflicts worse damage to Toronto. Lakehead splits with Laurier. Guelph at home beats Waterloo. Western Ontario stops by Brock close to the Canadian-US border and blows away the Brock Badgers on a 17-1 tear in the fourth quarter.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/16/MBBall_0116123338.aspx

Ryerson pulls a stunner on #5 Carleton Ravens to start their woes in the OUA women's game. Sharpshooter Brittany Moore does it again for the Queen's Gaels downing lowly Laurentian and later York. Llyandra Kerr, Brittany Szockyj, and Nadia Qawash each had double figures leading York over RMC. Laurier stops Lakehead with Felice Mazerolle and Doreen Bonsu pouring in the points, but Lakehead Thunderwolves evened the weekend series. #2 Windsor takes first place with the Lancers blasting on the road both Brock and McMaster. Jessica Clemencon and Korissa Williams were just firing offensively. Guelph kicked off their second half of the 2011-12 season by beating the relatively inexperienced Waterloo Warriors as the Gryphons improve to 5-7 in the season. Western arrives in St. Catherines to add further misery following Windsor's lead to beat Brock. Carleton though rebounded though narrowly winning against Toronto by going the distance with the Varsity Blues. Ottawa later takes control on the Ryerson Rams to round it all out.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/16/WBBall_0116120621.aspx

In Quebec basketball, McGill keeps Bishop's winless in another heartbreaker for the Gaiters. In the battle of the two French-speaking schools in Montreal, we witnessed both Laval and UQAM end up going .500 at this point of the season. UQAM later goes to see the Concordia Stingers only to lose by 5.
http://www.mcgill.ca/athletics/newsroom/spotlight/item/?item_id=213238
http://www.gaiters.ca/article/mbk_gaiters_drop_heartbreaker_to_mcgill_70_671
http://www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/nouvelles/index.php?news=1302
http://www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/nouvelles/index.php?news=1308

With their last two losses after Ken Konchalski's 800th win game sending them down to #4 in the CIS rankings, the St. Francis Xavier X-Men return to the win column at home stopping a resilient Dalhousie Tigers team. Nathan Smith played only minute for the Tigers with a turnover and no points from his two field goal attempts.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1752

Those aforementioned losses the X-Men had came in games versus Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton where both victors could not be stopped towards 100 points.
http://gocapersgo.ca/news/2012/1/11/GEN_0111122631.aspx?path=general
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/Basketball/2012-01-16/article-2865017/UPEI-mens-basketball-team-puts-brakes-on-losing-streak/1
http://www.upei.ca/athletics/mens-basketball/m-basketball-jan-15-vs-sfx

Cape Breton's weekend road wins over the travel-exhausted Memorial Sea Hawks, giving the latter two more tough losses, in Halifax propelled them to the top of the AUS men's basketball standings knocking off the slumping X-Men. Jimmy Dorsey becomes the Cape Breton Male Athlete of the Week for the second time in no small part due to his offense.
http://gocapersgo.ca/news/2012/1/14/GEN_0114120848.aspx?path=general
http://gocapersgo.ca/news/2012/1/15/GEN_0115121204.aspx?path=general
http://www.goseahawks.ca/news_events/wkend_smry/2012jan14&15review.php

St. Mary's halts Acadia in an ugly one. But Acadia later takes out its frustrations out from that game on UNB, ripping the Varsity Reds by 35 points.
http://mensbasketball.acadiau.ca/mens-basketball-news-reader-page/items/axemen-drop-to-3-4-with-loss-to-smu.html
http://mensbasketball.acadiau.ca/mens-basketball-news-reader-page/items/second-half-shoot-axemen-past-varsity-reds.html

[Durbansandshark]

Balanced production from four of the McGill Marlets in double figures led them to victory against Bishop's to erase a 10-point deficit.
http://www.mcgill.ca/athletics/newsroom/spotlight/item/?item_id=213237

UQAM women gets their second win of the season over Laval (see last post here for the link pertaining to the men's game). But later fall to the Concordia Stingers.

[Durbansandshark]

Been a couple of weeks since I did this in depth, but I will catch up here in a more economical matter through the CIS conferences.

Canada West saw the Saskatchewan Huskies going on a 5-game winning streak atop the Prairie Division with a Canada West postseason spot clinched. The British Columbia Thunderbirds are sizzling with an 8-game one with their spot nicely clinched hanging on to a one-game lead behind Victoria as they face Fraser Valley. The Victoria Vikes are sitting pretty with winning one of their two games this past weekend with their conference playoff spot punched. Saskatchewan returned home at the PAC in mid-January for the first time this year to do away with UBC-Okanagan and Thompson Rivers. UBC had to deal with Manitoba up to OT. Fraser Valley stays competitive and then the barrier between Calgary and Manitoba for the final Prairie spot is wideneing, but the Bison are slipping and in danger of falling out of it altogether. They must win to maintain it, especially with a surging Dinos squad. During this chase, Calgary's Boris Backovic (unofficially) surpasses Andrew Spagrud's CIS national alltime scoring record at the Jack Simpson Gym versus Alberta. Alberta's looking really good for a playoff spot at second place in the Prairie Division for the Golden Bears. CIS runnerup Trinity Western, though mathematically still in and above .500, is running out of time even with their current winning behind UFV for the third spot in the Pacific. Watch out for the Pronghorns out of Lethbridge, they're hot too. Thompson Rivers Wolfpack, Brandon Bobcats, Regina Cougars, Winnipeg Wesmen, and the UBC-Okanagan Heat newbies, currently on a 6-game losing streak, are all now playing for pride to close out the season.

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/18/MBB_0118125104.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/20/MBB_0120120540.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/2/MBB_0202125255.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/21/MBB_0121125802.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/25/MBB_0125124030.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/27/MBB_0127121014.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/28/MBB_0128122503.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/2/MBB_0202125255.aspx

The Brandon Bobcats' final home games of the 2011-12 season against Lethbridge at the 46-year old Brandon University Gym marks the end of an era that, if the gym could speak, would tell incredible memories. Both Bobcats teams are moving to the Healthy Living Centre. An end of an era.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/1/30/MBB_0130123710.aspx
http://www.gobobcats.ca/2012/01/30/final-basketball-games-to-be-played-in-bu-gym/

Over in Ontario, Carleton is just an incredible machine. 'Nuff said about them. Wilfried Laurier Golden Hawks are dominating the OUA West. The Toronto schools are largely struggling with Ryerson being the best of the three at third place in the OUA East standings and just above .500. Neither Queen's nor RMC could buy a win this season so far. Brock has tumbled in some ways. Ottawa is behind Carleton but can never gain against them. Hottest team in the OUA not named Carleton? Lakehead. Windsor's looking good even with Lakehead defeating them. McMaster and perhaps Guelph could make the playoffs. Waterloo's just better than the women's team. Just.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/23/MBBall_0123122023.aspx
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/1/30/MBBall_0130120059.aspx
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/2/2/MBBall_0202120728.aspx

But Waterloo has good news for its basketball this year: It will be the 2012 OUA Wilson Cup Final Four hosts.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120126-oua
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/sports/waterloo-to-host-oua-mens-basketball-final-four/
http://oua.ca/news/2012/1/25/MBBall_0125120823.aspx

Bishop's finally wins their first game versus a not-very-good Laval team that fell to 5th place 79-73. Laval previously beat UQAM. Concordia Stingers run away with the Quebec division. McGill is solidly in second with the English schools acting surpreme against the two French schools and Bishop's. At the end of the month of January, another chapter of the French basketball schools, UQAM wins out over Laval days ago.

St. Francis Xavier must suffering one major hangover following Ken Konchalski's 800th win. The X-Men have fallen from first to third. Meanwhile, UPEI Panthers and Acadia pull ahead of St. Francis Xavier. Cape Breton is gaining onthe X-Men as Dalhousie and St. Mary's are below .500 in the middle of the standings. Memorial only has one win to its name.

[Durbansandshark]

I'll return to CIS basketball soon for a fuller look. But the Road to Halifax and Calgary is taking shape with the conference tournament fields. Over in Canada West, UBC, Victoria, Fraser Valley, and wildcards Trinity Western from the Pacific with Saskatchewan, Calgary, Alberta, and Lethbridge coming from the Prairie Division for their men's tournament. In the women's Canada West game, only take #1 Regina Cougars from Lethbridge and you get the women's Prairie Division ticket punchers. Undefeated Regina also clinches first place in the Prairie. For the Pacific, it's British Columbia, Fraser Valley, and Thompson Rivers with the wildcard yet to be determined, either between Winnipeg or Victoria.

Ontario will definitely feature #1 Carleton, Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier, Windsor, Ryerson, Lakehead, McMaster, Windsor, and maybe Toronto or Laurentian for the men's field for the upcoming OUA Wilson Cup. The women will have #2 Windsor, Brock, Ottawa, Carleton, Toronto, Western Ontario, McMaster, Ryerson, Queen's, and Wilfrid Laurier. Maybe another team later.

Quebec's going to have, as it stands now, Concordia (running away in the standings), McGill, UQAM, and Laval rounding out the conference semifinals in the men's game. The women's field will likely have leaders McGill, UQAM (currently in a war with Laval for the last spot), Concordia, and Bishop's.

The Atlantic playoffs will have St. Francis Xavier (having bounced back from a swoon), UPEI, and Cape Breton clinched their postseason berths in the men's game. Acadia possibly will join them. AUS women will star Acadia, Cape Breton, Dalhousie, and St. Mary's.

[Durbansandshark]

Starting tonight, Canada West kicks off its 2011 basketball postseason. Lethbridge Pronghorns face Fraser Valley Cascades. Trinity Western Spartans battle the Saskatchewan Huskies. British Columbia Thunderbirds go against the Alberta Golden Bears. Calgary Dinos and the Victoria Vikes duke it out in the men's best-of-three quarterfinals. Over in Canada West women's ball, #1 Regina Cougars plan to keep the good times rolling by beating the wildcards from Winnipeg. UBC and Alberta go at it in the women's version of their playoff series together.
Thompson Rivers Wolfpack likely will have their hands full with CIS runnerup from last season Saskatchewan. Finally, Calgary has Fraser Valley to deal with.

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/23/MBB_0223120821.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/22/WBB_0222121126.aspx

OUA started theirs with the divisional quarterfinals last night for the Wilson Cup quest. Windsor knocks off Brock. Guelph moves on with a hard-fought one over Wilfrid Laurier. Laurentian ends Toronto's season in their first home OUA playoff game in over a decade. Ottawa beats the York Lions who barely made the playoffs. The top two seeds in both divisions--Carleton and Ryerson in the OUA East and Lakehead (current OUA Wilson Cup holders) and McMaster from the OUA West--earned byes into the semifinals for Saturday's games. Meanwhile in the OUA women's quarterfinals with #2 and Bronze Baby defending champs Windsor, Carleton, Ottawa, and Brock getting deserved rests for semifinal byes on Saturday following their finishes, we are assured the city of Toronto will get at least semifinal representation with perennial contenders the Toronto Varsity Blues halting the York Lions. With that, the results were the reverse in the women's version of the Wilfrid Laurier-Guelph matchup. Western Ontario jumps all over McMaster. Ryerson's duo of Angela Tilk and Ashley McDonald assured more Toronto representation in the OUA semis and a date with Ottawa beating Queen's.
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/2/23/MBBall_0223125014.aspx
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/2/23/WBBall_0223123414.aspx

Quebec postseason won't start until next Wednesday on Leap Year day. We know for sure the Concordia Stingers have clinched the top seed in the Quebec semis with their opponents still to be decided between Laval and Bishop's, both of whom face each other tomorrow in a must-win at Bishop's court that ends the Gaithers' regular season. Laval still has another game to go with Concordia at home the next day. The McGill Marlets will no doubt be the top seed in the women's semis. But it's even murkier there where the other four teams are still jockeying for seedings and making it for the next three spots with their records so slimly apart. But Concordia does look safely in too.

Ken Konchalski's St. Francis Xavier X-Men clinched a semifinal bye as the leader of the AUS. Acadia could accomplish the same if does a weekend sweep of Memorial regardless of what Cape Breton does. Other teams assured of seeing postseason ball are Dalhousie, a slumping UPEI, and St. Mary's. Acadia has the women's first round bye assured. After that, Cape Breton, Memorial, St. Francis Xavier, and Dalhousie are all in with the last spot likely going to Dalhousie's way.

[Durbansandshark]

CANADA WEST QUARTERFINALS

Thursday
Lethbridge Pronghorns 87 Fraser Valley 78

Friday
Alberta Golden Bears 79 British Columbia Thunderbirds 69
Saskatchewan Huskies 98 Trinity Western 83
Calgary Dino 73 Victoria Vikes 68
Fraser Valley Cascades 74 Lethbridge Pronghorns 66

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/23/MBB_0223122327.aspx

Saturday
Fraser Valley 69 Lethbridge 68
Victoria 68 Calgary 61
Alberta 91 UBC 68
Saskatchewan 111 Trinity Western 87

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/25/MBB_0225124608.aspx

Sunday
Victoria 90 Calgary 88 (Terrell Evans hits a desparation shot to send the Vikes to the Canada West Final Four)

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/26/MBB_0226125004.aspx

2011 CANADA WEST FINAL FOUR

Friday
Victoria Vikings vs. Fraser Valley Cascades
Alberta Golden Bears vs. Saskatchewan Huskies

Saturday
semifinal losers (bronze game)
Canada West conference championship (gold medal game)

As the #1 seed in the Canada West Final Four, Saskatchewan hosts it at the PAC. Both semifinal winners automatically go to the 2012 CIS Final Nationals in Halifax. My picks are Saskatchewan and Victoria--those two have been the best in their conference all season long.
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/2/29/MBB_0229122446.aspx

ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS QUARTERFINALS
Saturday
McMaster Mauraders 77 Windsor Lancers 67
Lakehead Thunderwolves 90 Guelph Gryphons 70
Carleton Ravens 87 Laurentian Voyaguers 66
Ryerson Rams 74 Ottawa Gee Gees 71
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/2/27/MBBall_0227123326.aspx

Friday--OUA Wilson Cup Final Four semifinals (at Waterloo University)
Ryerson vs. Lakehead
Carleton vs. McMaster

Saturday--OUA Wilson Cup Championship

QUEBEC SEMIFINALS

Wednesday
Concordia Stingers 66 Laval Rouge et D'Or 65
UQAM Citadins 75 McGill 72

Saturday--Quebec Championship
UQAM @ Concordia

ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT

Friday (all games here in the AUS tournament held at the Halifx Metro Centre)
Cape Breton Capers vs. Dalhousie Tigers
St. Mary's Huskies vs. UPEI Panthers

Saturday
TBD vs. St. Francis Xavier X-Men
TBD vs. Acadia Axemen

Sunday
Atlantic University Championship

[Durbansandshark]

CANADA WEST WOMEN'S QUARTERFINALS

Thursday
British Columbia Thunderbirds 85 Alberta Pandas 51
Fraser Valley Cascades 63 Calgary Dinos 43

Friday
Saskatchewan Huskies 66 Thompson Rivers Wolfpack 59
Regina Cougars 93 Winnipeg Wesmen 52
Fraser Valley Cascades 85 Calgary Dinos 67

So the Calgary Dinos will not get a chance to emulate what Windsor accomplished last season--win the Bronze Baby as hosts of the CIS women's Final 8

Saturday
British Columbia Thunderbirds 82 Alberta Pandas 71
Saskatchewan Huskies 56 Thompson Rivers Wolfpack 43
Regina Cougars 84 Winnipeg Wesmen 70

http://canadawest.org/news/2012/2/22/WBB_0222121126.aspx
http://canadawest.org/news/2012/2/23/WBB_0223124419.aspx
http://canadawest.org/news/2012/2/25/WBB_0225124930.aspx

All these Canada West women's quarterfinal series were really no contests at all. Only 2-game sweeps.

#1 and still-unbeaten Regina still looking very good to claim the 2012 Canada West Women's Final Four as hosts. Don't sleep on Saskatchewan, CIS runnersup from last season though.

2012 CANADA WEST WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR

(all games held at University of Regina's Centre for Kinesiology, Health, and Sport)

Friday
#4 British Columbia Thunderbirds vs. #3 Saskatchewan Huskies
#1 Regina Cougars vs. #8 Fraser Valley Cascades

Saturday
Third place bronze medal game
Canada West Conference championship gold medal game

http://canadawest.org/news/2012/3/1/WBB_0301122715.aspx

ONTARIO UNIVERSITY SPORTS WOMEN'S DIVISIONAL FINALS

Saturday
Brock Badgers 72 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 53
Carleton Ravens 84 Toronto Varsity Blues 62
Windsor Lancers 84 Western Ontario Mustangs 55
Ottawa Gee Gees 89 Ryerson Rams 53

What's so interesting is that there will be no Toronto schools in the OUA women's Final Four tonight; seemingly, the balance of OUA women's basketball power rests in the Canadian capital. Surely, Windsor would like to have a strong say on the matter as defending CIS champs, as does Brock. Both schools are located at the US-Canadian border. The Lancers just poured it on over the Mustangs especially going into that run in the second quarter and with Bojana Kovacevic raining threes and shooting well from the floor.

http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/2/27/WBBall_0227121821.aspx

2012 OUA WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR

OUA Final Four held at the University of Ottawa's Montpetit Hall

Friday
Brock Badgers vs. Ottawa Gee Gees
#2 Windsor Lancers vs. #5 Carleton Ravens

Saturday
OUA third place bronze medal game
OUA Championship Gold Medal Final

Both semis should be very interesting to watch, especially the later one tonight between Windsor and rising Carleton. Though it's not a home game for them technically, the Ravens hope for a full-on crowd for their game as they travel crosstown.

http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/3/1/WBBall_0301121101.aspx

RSEQ

UQAM edged Laval on point differential that enabled them to get the fourth and final RSEQ postseason spot even when Laval, UQAM, and Bishop's all finished 7-9. For Laval, it was a case of those dimished returns on their talent from surprising people last season. With the RSEQ championship coming up tomorrow, it will be an all-English Montreal school affair this year as the winner punches their ticket to Calgary as RSEQ champs--only UQAM flew the banner for the Francophones.

Tuesday
McGill Marlets 63 UQAM Citadins 56
Concordia Stingers 65 Bishop's Gaithers 53

Saturday
Concordia Stingers @ McGill Marlets

2012 ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

(all games held at St. Francis Xavier)

Friday--Quarterfinals
St. Francis Xavier vs. Memorial Sea Hawks
Dalhousie Tigers vs. St. Mary's Huskies

Saturday--AUS Semifinals
Acadia Axewomen vs. TBD
Cape Breton Capers vs. TBD

Sunday
AUS Championship Gold Medal Game

Though the UNB Varsity Reds made a serious charge to get back within striking distance of nabbing the final AUS postseason slot as they played better, it was not enough to catch and overtake Dalhousie. Their first half woes did them in. As you noticed on the AUS postseason schedule, Acadia and Cape Breton earned first round byes. Prince Edward Island should be pleased they made some sort of progress to build on starting with their two wins of the regular season.

[Durbansandshark]

Ah, the 2012 CIS men's and women's basketball Final 8s in Halifax and Calgary, respectively, will be happening this weekend as the CIS culminates their 50th year of existence in basketball. March Madness Canadian-style is definitely in full effect! :) Lots to talk about there on those fronts! But first...

We must deal with all those conferences tourneys that led to all those Final 8 fields.

In somewhat of a shocker out in Canada West, the Alberta Golden Bears managed to stop the Saskatchewan Huskies on the 2010 champions Huskies' home court in Saskatoon during the semifinals 89-73, leaving the Huskies and fans disappointed. Never mind the fact that in the Prairie Division, the Golden Bears were right behind the division-leading Huskies and were closely matched. Alberta coach Greg Francis surely is cementing his own legacy after Don Horwood's retirement, who no doubt left a tough act to follow. Fraser Valley meanwhile continues its rapid rise as a conference power out of Kamloops, BC following its entry in 2006 by going into the Canada West title game versus Alberta for the first time knocking off the Victoria Vikes in a nail-biter 63-62. With both Fraser Valley and Alberta going to Halifax, the Canada West championship ended as a tight one with Alberta emerging on top 72-71 to win its 11th banner, despite the Cascades featuring 4 players scoring in double figures, thanks to late 3-point shooting from Daniel Ferguson and a jump shot from Matthew Cardoza. Saskatchewan won bronze.
http://www.bears.ualberta.ca/Teams/BearsBasketball/Bears%20Basketball%20News/2012/03/GoldenBearswinCWchampionship.aspx
http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/3/2/MBB_0302120735.aspx

It was just a heartbreaking time to be a Saskatchewan-hosting school in Canada West basketball this weekend. An even bigger upset emerged from the Canada West women's game that witnessed the British Columbia Thunderbirds defeating the #1 Regina Cougars in the Cougars' own home court ending Regina's 22-game winning streak to take the conference title back to Vancouver (counting UBC's Canada West titles and those from now-NCAA D2 member Simon Fraser). Kris Young, Zara Huntley, and Leigh Stansfield all were on for the Thunderbirds with Joanne Zalasiak, Alyssia Kajati, and Lindsay Leadingham led all production for the formerly undefeated Cougars. The game was not as a close one as thought, even with the Cougars midgame surge. Before that point, both UBC and Regina won their semifinals over Fraser Valley and Saskatchewan, respectively. Saskatchewan Huskies defeat Fraser Valley in the bronze medal game. Regina, Fraser Valley, and Saskatchewan all head to the regionals.

I stand corrected about Calgary--as hosts they will appear in the Final 8

http://www.canadawest.org/news/2012/3/2/WBB_0302123800.aspx

Into Ontario it was not the way it perhaps to be expected. People got familiar with Carleton and Lakehead for the OUA Wilson Cup after that big upset and were looking for a rematch. But that wasn't going to materialize this year at Waterloo. You see, the Toronto-based Ryerson Rams, from a school that is right at downtown Toronto a stone's throw away from the very popular shopping mall Toronto Eaton Centre, the Yonge-Dundas Square, the City Hall, and the Canadian Wall Street that is Bay St, had other ideas. The Rams ceased all talk of a Ravens-Thunderwolves rematch with a semifinal win over the OUA Wilson Cup defending champs Lakehead 86-70. Ryerson went 12-0 to start off with the Thunderwolves never coming closer than 8 points in the game. Freshmen Aaron Best blew up with 26 points for Ryerson that included a trio of three-pointers.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/2/MBBall_0302123656.aspx

Defending CIS champs Carleton had no issues at all with McMaster. Just another energetic clinic the Ravens put on as they continue marching towards reclaiming the Wilson Cup and play in their sixth consecutive championship game. Keeping the Marauders away with at least 10 points for much of the game, Carleton eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Ravens must have been shocked to learn Lakehead wasn't going to play against them in the end after all as they probrbaly watched the final moments of the first semifinal. First half scoring for both teams was a problem though.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/2/MBBall_0302124409.aspx

By now, the Wilson Cup is old hat for the Ravens. By contrast, the Rams were making only their second appearance in it after their first in 1999. Surely some outlets were billing it as Ottawa versus Toronto. But that lack of big game experience really showed for Ryerson. Carleton just severely decimated the Rams as the game set several records, including being the most lopsided Wilson Cup championship game in history and lowest amount of points scored in Ryerson's disfavor, when they simply walked away from Waterloo with that title.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/3/MBBall_0303123753.aspx

While the men were battling in Waterloo, the women's OUA Final Four teams had going on up in Ottawa, for the third time Windsor went on to face Ottawa for the OUA championship. Defeinding Bronze Baby champs Windsor faced Carleton in a rematch of the OUA championship a year ago that saw Windsor beating the Ravens. This time it was no different result. Jessica Clemencon was dominant as usual with 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Lancers. Things were evenly matched in the first quarter, but as Carleton pushed forward the Lancers responded offensively, which leads the CIS at over 44%, that continued in the second half.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/3/WBBall_0303123042.aspx

With no chance of an all-Ottawa OUA championship with Windsor taking care of Carleton, the Gee Gees went on to take care of Brock before facing the Lancers on their home floor at Montpetit Hall. Nerves dominated Ottawa at the start. Hannah Sunsley-Paisley turned it around for the home team. Brock pushed strong offensive but the Gee Gees fended well against that.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/3/MBBall_0303121422.aspx

Carleton's experience in postseason play from the last two seasons was supposed to carry over to a third-place win. That didn't happen. Brock knocked them off in an overtime upset 58-51 to get a guaranteed spot in the CIS regionals with the game going back and forth.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/5/WBBall_0305123852.aspx

The Ottawa Gee Gees never forgot all those defeats in the OUA championship games in the last few seasons. Those defeats were no contests back then. Now, Ottawa finally slayed the Lancers in their dominant fashion as if to say to them, "I owed you one". The blowout was unexpected from the fact it was actually Ottawa doing this and was maintained all over the game 86-55, another uncontested OUA title game. Makes them feel good to defeat the defening national champions as they embark onto Calgary. Once again, personal doubts rear in my mind that the Lancers will not successfully defend the Bronze Baby.
http://oua.ca/news/2012/3/4/WBBall_0304125522.aspx

[Durbansandshark]

Quebec will once again be represented by Concordia in the men's game in Halifax. The Stingers, the best team by far in Quebec, soundly defeated by 30 the UQAM Citadins 77-47 for their 20th title at home. The Stingers outrebounded the Citadins and caused their 24 turnovers
http://athletics.concordia.ca/sports/news/Newnews2.php?f=detail&news_id=597&start=0&sportype=MB

The Quebec CIS women's basketball rep in Calgary will be McGill after an all-English school affair with Concordia. The Marlets grabbed their first Quebec crown since 1996 led by Annetth Him-Lazarenko from Panama City 56-49 with only 6 McGill players scoring. Kayla Barrett for Concordia couldn't save them with her 23 points.
http://www.mcgill.ca/channels/spotlight/item/?item_id=215280
http://athletics.concordia.ca/sports/news/Newnews2.php?f=detail&news_id=596&start=0&sportype=WB

Atlantic University Sport also saw one of their own upsets in Halifax in the warmup for the CIS Final 8 Nationals. Acadia Axemen, the same school back in 2008 that caused an overtime upset in Ottawa over the hometown Ravens in the national semifinals, claimed the AUS banner over top-seeded St. Francis Xavier 82-71. Maybe the X-Men should've laid off the three-point line if they wanted the win. Owen Klassen, Jonathan Tull, Anthony Ashe, and Tournament MVP Anthony Sears were all on. St. Francis Xavier had Jeremy Dunn and Terry Thomas with the former having a monster game.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1831

The AUS semis dealth with St. Francis Xavier and Acadia, both coming off byes, to convicingly beat Cape Breton and Acadia, respectively.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1828

Back in the quarterfinals in Halifax, UPEI's terrific season came to an end as the Panthers get upset by St. Mary's, and Cape Breton knocks off the Dalhousie Tigers. St. Mary's rallied from a double-digit deficit. The Capers never let up over the Tigers in theirs. The games themselves in Halifax were nicely-attended at the Halifax Metro Centre at 3000 fans average, just like the Halifax Rainmen games. Later on it went up to 5000 fans.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1825

Was a great weekend for Acadia in basketball. Not only did the men win the AUS title, the women won too. But before that, hosts St. Francis Xavier defeats Memorial, and Dalhousie showed St. Mary's who's the boss of it during the quarterfinals.
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1824

Acadia fends off a feisty home St. Francis Xavier in the semis
http://womensbasketball.acadiau.ca/womens-basketball-news-reader-page/items/axewomen-advance-to-finals-against-cape-breton.html

Second-seeded Capers end sixth-seeded Dalhousie in the other women's semifinal
http://gocapersgo.ca/news/2012/3/3/GEN_0303120035.aspx?path=general

#7 Acadia Axewomen enjoyed a 17-3 season that features a 13-game winning streak and being undefeated at home. Its highly-successful AUS season culminated with that conference win over defending AUS champs Cape Breton 82-72 at St. Francis Xavier's Oland Center. First time ever Acadia won both men's and women's AUS basketball titles in the same season. The women's first since 1952
http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=1829
http://gocapersgo.ca/news/2012/3/5/GEN_0305124947.aspx?path=general

[Durbansandshark]

Next weekend we will see the CCAA's own national championship, its own Final 8, taking place at NSAC. The NSAC Rams withdrew their spot as host team to allow the ACAA title champs and runnersup to appear in it. This is the field for it (with seedings):

1. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves
2. Mount Royal Cougars
3. Indiens d'Ahuntsic
4. Mohawk Mountaineers
5. Vanier Cheetahs
6. St. Thomas Tommies
7. MSVU Mystics
8. Red Deer Kings

Surely UNBC will have motivation to win it all on the national level after winning the BCAA following its Canada West snub during the offseason, largely due to its location in Prince George that is more in the BC inland.

Lethbridge College is site of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) 2012 CCAA women's championship. The Final 8 CCAA teams playing in that are:

1. MacEwen Griffins
2. Dawson College Blues
3. UNBC Timberwolves
4. Dynamiques Sainte Foy
5. St. Thomas Tommies
6. Algonquin Thunder
7. Lethbridge Kodiaks
8. Seneca Sting

More to come

[Durbansandshark]

In the CIS women's East and West regionals, the defending champs Windsor Lancers took care of Cape Breton while regional host Ottawa stopped Fraser Valley. Because the Gee Gees are the hosts and already had their spot solidified in Calgary, Windsor becomes a Final 8 participant regardless of tonight's result. Over in the East, Brock and Regina will square it out tonight after their semifinal wins against Saskatchewan and Concordia, respectively.

As custom here, all further results will be delayed until the CIS 2012 women's Final 8 is over--with more details on the regionals.

[Durbansandshark]

Simon Fraser ended their second NCAA D2 season with some improvements along the way in both programs. More so in the women than with the men...but no appearances in the NCAA D2 tournament yet. Details along with the CIS men's and women's Final 8s (and regionals) and the CCAA tournaments are coming next week.

Some of the top stars from AUS basketball got together like they did last year to promote the then-upcoming 2012 Subway AUS men's basketball tournament at the Halifax Metro Civic Centre for a TV spot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xOvjsxuo1c

TV spot for the 2012 CIS Men's Final 8 Nationals also at the Halifax Civic Centre. All schools involved are also from the AUS schools as opposed to having a more national presence like Carleton and Alberta. Semis up to the championship game was aired on the Maritimes' top sports channel, Eastlink TV, a major reason why you nothing but Atlantic teams in this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojdtjk4SWe8

Shaw TV's promo for the 2012 CIS Women's Final 8 live coverage from the University of Calgary's Jack Simpson Gym from semis to championship. Again here, schools shown in action are only from the conference hosts. This case, Canada West, including hosts Calgary who are in it. Shaw TV, a locally-based community cable channel from Shaw Communications, primarily focuses regionally in Canada like EastlinkTV does for the Maritimes. For Shaw TV, it transmit through western Canada from British Columbia to western Ontario (even Hamilton, Ontario near Toronto).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU8xXBbIrHI

[Durbansandshark]

For the first time since 1994 and 1995 CIS basketball had back-to-back champions in both the men and women this season. And the first time ever it has happened for the OUA, where the balance of power in CIS still resides.

But first...

Highlights from The Score of the Carleton Ravens' 82-39 butt-whipping of the Ryerson Rams in the OUA Wilson Cup championship in Waterloo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu5kW49Qi84

The Score's profile of Carleton's All-Canadian Philipp Scrubb:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ySBWzwZ680

Tasha Bea reports from the OUA Wilson Cup playoffs in Waterloo, presented by Recharge With Milk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnS-BXJwq84

UBC-Okanagan Heat head coach Darren Semeniuk steps down after their debut season in CIS and Canada West basketball to spend more time with his kids: http://www.castanet.net/news/Sports/72030/UBCO-basketball-coach-steps-down

St. Mary's Huskies found their successor to the legendary Ross Quackenbush in the form of his former PG Jonah Taussig. His name was floating around to take over as an assistant:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/74149-taussig-ready-smu-basketball-job

A preview of the 2012 Subway CIS Men's Final 8 national Basketball Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the CIS' 50th:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120306-preview

I mean, can anybody stop the undefeated Carleton Ravens in Halifax, where the city has been incredibly good to them? Another preview:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/70565-selectors-ripped-acadia-no-8-seeding

Why in the hell did the Acadia Axemen got the #8 seed in the CIS Final 8 after just beating the St. Francis Xavier X-Men in the AUS championship? Reputation bias, I guess. Privately, they had to been upset with this despite putting on a classy front publicly. One poster points out that teams from the same conference can't face each other in the quarterfinals, and another discusses the lower quality overall of the AUS which could explain this:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/70565-selectors-ripped-acadia-no-8-seeding

Acadia's freshman Sean Stoqua enjoyed success in AUS football and wants more of the same in basketball:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/71189-stoqua-hoping-more-success

Ryerson embraces the Cinderella role in Halifax. Um, just don't call them that in their only second appearance in the CIS Final 8:
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/03/09/cis-basketball-ryerson-may-be-the-underdog-but-dont-call-them-cinderella/

Acadia did it before in their upset of Carleton in Ottawa, and they sure did want to repeat that feat to Carleton again in Halifax in the quarterfinals:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/71320-ultimate-underdogs-basketball-axemen-out-beat-nations-top-team

Fraser Valley Cascades impresses in their CIS 8 debut with their mild quarterfinal upset over the Lakehead Thunderwolves 83-71:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120309-qtr1

No epic upset this time for Acadia against Carleton, though the Axemen did give them a bit of a scare. The Ravens end up cannablizing their latest victims 82-62 for their 21st consecutive win at Halifax Metro Centre in the CIS championship in the second quarterfinals.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120309-qtr2

Alberta Golden Bears' tough, physical play stops the surprising run of the Ryerson Rams to advance to their first semis since 2003 81-53:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120309-qtr3

The highlight of the quarterfinal night for many in Halifax and all of Nova Scotia with nearby St. Francis Xavier, the three-time CIS champs, coming in to play in the final quarterfinal to fill the arena up. The #6 X-Men downed the #3 Concordia Stingers 98-82 with five X-Men in double figures. It was the Terry Thomas Show with his 39 points leading everyone.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120309-qtr4
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/71857-x-men-topple-stingers

Acadia 84 Lakehead 75--Axemen go on to play for fifth place in the consolation games:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120310-conso1

Consolation Game #2--Ryerson 84 Concordia 80
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120310-conso2

No mercy by Carleton as it pummels Fraser Valley in the semis 83-65 to go into another CIS W.P. McGee Championship Game:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120310-semi1
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/cis-final-8-blog-ravens-strength-shines-through/

Alberta defeats St. Francis Xavier in mutually-respected and intense contest for much of the game between the two coaches (Greg Francis and Ken Konchalski) in the other semifinal 93-81 in front of a pro-St. Francis Xavier crowd to face Carleton in their first CIS final since 2002.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120310-smie2
http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3497704

Axemen gets fifth place over Ryerson 90-83 in the Consolation Game and proved they were more than a #8 seed in the beginning:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120311-5th

Third-place game saw the X-Men redeem themselves and grab the bronze medals in another close one for them 86-83 over Fraser Valley and did the AUS proud in what was a very good season for them that witnessed Konchalski get his 800th win at home. This win closes it out at 30 for the X-Men's 2011-12 season.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120311-bronze

Notes about Carleton and Alberta for the championship:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120311-notes

Was there any doubt whatsoever or was there anybody out there who was going to beat the undefeated and #1 Carleton Ravens all through the season in Canada? Nobody could! They are like this machine that keeps winning and winning for years as long as Dave Smart is there. The Ravens did it! They made CIS basketball history by winning their eighth CIS W.P. McGee Trophy in ten years in a city that has been very, very, very good to them. Tying with the Victoria Vikings, with their great teams in the late 70s and early 80s, for the most CIS basketball men's titles of all time in the 50 year CIS existence. As part of their all around team effort of the weekend, All-Canadians Tyson Hinz and CIS MVP Philipp Scrubb kept Alberta's Daniel Ferguson and Jordan Baker in check even though Ferguson made 25 points on 6-22 field goal shooting. Baker and Sahr Affa both had 12 points. Hinz produced 20 points with Scrubb, the Jack Donahue Trophy winner as tournament MVP, making 26 points. Never trailed in this game. Carleton wins 86-67. Willy Manigat, Cole Holbin, and Elliott Thompson, all fifth-year seniors, each go out as champions again.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120311-final
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012/03/11/sp-ravens-cis-basketball.html
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/cis-final-8-blog-ravens-capture-record-tying-eighth-national-title/

[Durbansandshark]

This was the seedings of the 2012 CIS Women's Final 8 tournament in Calgary:

1. Regina Cougars (West Regional champions: 20-0 regular season / 5-1 playoffs)
2. UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West champions: 15-3 regular season / 4-0 playoffs)
3. Ottawa Gee-Gees (OUA champions: 19-3 regular season / 4-1 playoffs)
4. Windsor Lancers (East Regional champions: 20-2 regular season / 4-1 playoffs)
5. Acadia Axewomen (AUS champions: 17-3 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
6. Saskatchewan Huskies (Wild card: 15-5 regular season / 3-2 playoffs)
7. McGill Martlets (RSEQ champions: 11-5 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
8. Calgary Dinos (Host: 14-6 regular season / 0-2 playoffs)

Saskatchewan got in a wildcard as you can see and for their great play up to the regionals and as runnersup. Defending Bronze Baby holders Windsor made it two spots for the OUA even with Ottawa having won the OUA title and being in the regionals. Hosts Calgary Dinos are ranked last.

This was the intinerary of the eight teams in the Calgary CIS Final 8:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120311-seed

Ottawa Gee Gees winning over Windsor at their Montpetit Hall home for the OUA women's title, denying the Lancers' fourth OUA title:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPABYjnQlc (from CTVLondon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1XbGVffwhU

Highlights of the Acadia Axemen winning the AUS tournament in Halifax:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpH-5ZqXgoE

Preview of the 2012 CIS Final 8 Bronze Baby tournament. Regina, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Calgary are were gunning to regain national basketball supremacy for Canada West, something it enjoyed for close to a decade until Windsor stopped the vice-grip last year. In one of the conference's stopping grounds. This field was deep in Calgary.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120313-preview

Behold one of the greatest teams in CIS women's basketball history: the 1988-89 Calgary Dinos, Bronze Baby champs that season. In a city not really known for its basketball, this team managed to get local sports front page coverage for its winning ways back then sharing it with the NHL's Calgary Flames (and putting CIS women's basketball on the map in Canada) and having almost everyone from the Calgary high schools. It all started coming together in the afterglow of an Olympic time:
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120315-dinos

UBC looks forward to their ultimate goal by winning the Bronze Baby in Calgary at the Nationals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PIsDCYZSg

UBC Thunderbirds overpower Quebec champs McGill in the first quarterfinal 65-43
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120317-qtr1

No chance of going back to the Bronze Baby final and possibly winning it for Saskatchewan as Ottawa stops the Huskies in OT 73-70 in the second quarterfinal. Jenna Gilbert and CIS MVP Hannah Sunley-Paisley garnered 20 and 21 points, respectively. The Gee Gees trailed in the second quarter before turning it on starting in the third and into OT.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120317-qtr2

The Lancers last game up in Ottawa for the OUA title was embarassing for them. In this, they released out their humilation onto the CIS Nationals debutants Acadia Axewomen not just by whipping them by 40 points, the second most-lopsided margin in Bronze Baby history. It was being merciless on the glass and with very good outside shooting. When they take no prisoners, they do it. Clemecon had 18 points and 8 rebounds. Bojana Kovacevic had a double double (16 points and 12 points). Miah Mia Langlois produced 6 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120317qtr3

The Regina Cougars came into the last quarterfinal of the day at the Jack Simpson Gym as the odd-on favor(u)ite to bring back the Bronze Baby to Canada West. Until their loss to British Columbia in the Canada West tournament final, they were undefeated this season. Even with that, the #1 Cougars were still perceived faves. It all came to a sudden and crashing halt, when bolstered by a partisan crowd, the #8-seed Calgary Dinos produced the ultimate shocker of the tournament in a game they never trailed in 75-66. Calgary even led by 22 points until the third quarter, though the Cougars never gave up. This has happened before in the last decade--UNB (2006), Dalhousie (2007), and Laval in 2008 over Simon Fraser. This might be one last hurrah for the Dino Nation this season, but it was a memorable one starring Jenna Kaye and Jessica Franz.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120317-qtr4

Consolation #1: Saskatchewan Huskies beats the McGill Marlets 58-53 to play for fifth place
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120318-conso1

Consolation #2: Gotta give the once-unbeaten Regina Cougars credit to get back in the saddle after that demoralizing loss the last night to Calgary and winning their consolation game. Even though it doesn't feel like it mattered or wasn't the same and should be playing the semis. It was 87-84 with the CIS newbies Acadia Axewomen still adjusting to the national stage.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120318-conso2

With a defensive dogfight acting as the order of this game, British Columbia prevails 57-53 to get possible Canada West title-winner over an Ottawa team in the semis that just couldn't quite catch up.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120318-semi1

Could an inspired host Calgary accomplish another massive upset on Windsor in front of their fans? Nope. Windsor returns to the CIS Bronze Baby final for the third consecutive time to face UBC, though the Dinos surely didn't make it easy for the Lancers. The Dino made comeback after comeback only to have them stymied by the Lancers' defense. 81-71. Windsor issued Bronze Baby experience with their outstanding shooting and rebounding that they're known for.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120318-semi2

Consolation Final (5th place): In the latest chapter in the Battle of Saskatchewan, the Regina Cougars defeat the Saskatchewan Huskies 64-60 to end a great, but ultimately disappointing, season.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120319-5th

Ottawa Gee Gees utitlized their size advantage for rebounding and shooting to get past the always-rallying Calgary Dinos for the Bronze in Calgary 79-73. Looked like the OUA champs were going to put it away, but like that faithful hammer Calgary kept chipping away at the margin and made it very thrilling in the final minutes. It was the Gee Gees' first ever medals in the women's program.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120319-bronze

One side for the Bronze Baby had fourth seeded Windsor, the reigning champs. On the other was #2 British Columbia, back in the title game for the first time since winning in 2008 and aspiring to reclaim the Bronze Baby for Canada West. Windsor just dominated all over. Not a major blowout mind you, but the Thunderbirds could not catch up. In the fourth, the Lancers enjoyed a 18-point dominance restricting the Thunderbirds to 3 for 18 shooting after UBC came as close by four points. They worked deep in the paint for points and from the outside. Langois had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Clemencon produced 16 points and 5 points and was named tournament MVP for the second year in a row. Kovacevic had 14 points (including 12 from behind the arc) and six rebounds. Kris Young, Zara Huntley, and Alexandra Vieweg had 16, 13, and 11 points, respectively for the Thunderbirds. Windsor Lancers successfully defends the Bronze Baby 69-53
http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120319-final

So congrats to the Carleton Ravens and the Windsor Lancers on successfully winning their titles and keeping them both in Ontario! :)

[Durbansandshark]

About Carleton's 5-time CIS Coach of the Year coach Dave Smart (best coach in all of Canadian basketball IMO), his impressive resume, recruiting from ostly eastern Ontario, and his coaching philosophies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Fk2TxAhIk

To the victors goes the spoils and the accolades keep coming their way. The Ravens were greeted at the Ottawa International Airport with the W.P. McGee Trophy the Monday after winning it all.
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/greet-the-ravens-at-the-airport-on-monday/

Recapping the Gr8ness in Halifax, a city that has been so very, very good to the Ravens:
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/ravens-find-gr8ness-in-halifax/

Achieving Gr8ness (an updated video from what I posted at the start of the season):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWaz1YvI0Qg

Carelton Ravens Ceremony of Excellence at the Ravens' Nest;
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/youre-invited-to-the-carleton-ravens-celebration-of-excellence/
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/a-celebration-of-excellence-in-pictures/

The 34-0 Ravens were honored with a visit to Ottawa's mayor Jim Watson, a Carleton grad, I must add, recognizing the team's achievements:
http://goravens.carleton.ca/mens-basketball-news/mayor-watson-recognizes-ravens-men%e2%80%99s-basketball-team/

And then the NHL's Ottawa Senators also honored them with a pregame ceremonial puck drop at center ice in a Sens home game at the ScotiaBank Place with the Carolina Hurricanes. It was the seniors Cole Hobin, Willy Manigat, Elliott Thompson who conducted the honor.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120403-94

With that, nice little segue to inform you that the CIS men's Final 8 National Championship returns to Ottawa's ScotiaBank Place for two years in 2013 and 2014. Carleton hopes to win more titles then than what they did in Ottawa's first foray into it. This time, the university has joined with Senators Sports and Entertainment to help operate it and improve on what occurred previously. Co-chairs are Carleton grads Ottawa's mayor Watson and Dick Brown.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120403-94

Unfortunately I could not find any videos of the Lancers winning in Calgary. If they turn up, I'll put them here on this thread later.

Windsor Lancers happily return off the bus home from Calgary to the St. Denis Centre with the Bronze Baby and the CIS championship banner to rock star-like adulation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0dwaTFlI9I (from the Windsor Star, mostly coach Chantal Vallee discussing Calgary native and Lancers cap Emily Abbott playing back from injury in her hometown)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvOTLQOrJs4 (more extended footage with interviews from both coach and players, posing for photos with the Bronze Baby and banner)

Chantal Vallee and Tom Foster appear on TVCogeco Ontario's Sports Den reflecting on the 2011-12 season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMBMaztk2zc

Was this their pregame video introduction at their home St. Denis Centre?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=SfeHP6faz8E

Windsor Lancers women's basketball team--Chantal Vallee, Emily Abbott, Miah-Marie Langlois, Jessica Clemencon, Bojana Kovacevic, Iva Peklova, Laura Mullins, Korissa Williams, Bethany Wachtna, Jessica Gordon, Jocelyn LaRocque, Tessa Kreiger, Anna Mullins, assistant Tom Foster, and Fransecsa Bellehumuer-Moya--thank their family, friends, and fans for another championship season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roaw9DztUSM

Only Emily Abbott and Iva Peklova will be gone from the Lancers as fifth year seniors going out on top. So there's still lots of depth on the team. Now, they will have recruited another very good local talent in the form of Andrea Kiss from the St. Anne Saints, admiring the Lancers' two titles.
http://golancers.ca/news/2012/3/23/WBB_0323121836.aspx

[Durbansandshark]

Ken Shields once again--in fuller form--proposes serious structural reforms to the CIS like namely keeping Canada's top basketball players within its borders to improve its play in the CIS and internationally.
http://queensjournal.ca/story/2012-04-05/sports/legendary-coach-calls-cis-improvement/

Algoma University Thunderbirds targets for OUA entry for 2013-14
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3520757

Someone needs to do a petition to get CIS coaching legends Ken Konchalski and Ken Shields into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. I think Konchalski has the best shot of the two because, after all, you can't ignore 800+ wins in wherever you are.

All that dominance Carleton enjoys may force them to consider its future with the CIS. The Ravens have no other worlds to conquer outside of aiming to become the best CIS men's basketball school of all time next season with eclipsing Victoria in titles. If Carleton leaves the CIS, it will indeed leave a tremendous void and a calling card for CIS card at a time when there's concerns from the likes of Shields. Carleton basketball leaving would indeed hurt the rivalry with the University of Ottawa. What kind of role the new NBL Canada will play in helping the CIS basketball scene remains to be seen. Perhaps a long term goal of NBL Canada in its development and producing quality Canadian basketball players at the professional level would be supporting the CIS with partnerships.

I agree with Ken Gray here. It wouldn't mean much for CIS' national development if the major Canadian sports TV networks--TSN, The Score, Rogers Sportsnet--put more promotion into CIS basketball. TSN couldn't do it this year because of its commitments with the NCAA basketball tournament, which seemingly captures more attention than the domestic brand. Plus, Canadians aren't as big about basketball like they are with ice hockey, but basketball fans there are a vocal bunch. People have to know the product is out there to see and watch. Hopefully the mainstream coverage will improve when the CIS Final 8 moves back to Ottawa.

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/03/14/ravens-should-review-their-basketball-future/

[Durbansandshark]

Greg Francis was only with the Alberta Golden Bears for four season after replacing a legend that is Ken Norwood. After Alberta lost to the unstoppable CIS juggernaut that is Carleton in the end, the former Canadian national team mainstay Francis has decided he took them as far as he could and left Edmonton and take off for the Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario area and become Waterloo's sixth men's head coach. Still, it was a good run at Alberta and people realized how good he is.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120504-84
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/05/05/francis-steps-down-as-bears-hoop-boss

Couple of CIS coaches are taking junior level coaching jobs for Canada Basketball. Dave DeAviero from McGill accepts the Canada U17 boys' coaching post that will play in Lithuania starting in late June. Roy Rana, who led the surprising Ryerson Rams to the CIS Final 8 this past season, will lead the Canadian Junior and Cadet Men's teams this summer. Ottawa's Andy Sparks gets the Canadian Junior Women job.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120423-54
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120419-63
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120323-43

Another blast from the recent past in Canada Basketball (like, the 1990s) comes to the CIS head coaching ranks. Peter Guarasci joins his former teammates Shawn Swords and Greg Francis as he replaces Darren Semeniuk at UBC-Okanagan.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120416-03

Matt Skinn stays in the AUS but he's jumping schools and now will coach men's ball with him leaving the X-Women for the Cape Breton Capers men's program to take over from longtim coach Jim Charters, who resigned before the AUS tourney
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/20120413-38

Last year's CIS Men's Final 8 Championship in Halifax gets the CSTA Award of the Year as the Collegiate Sports Event of the Year.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/cis_news/2011-12/releases/20120420-28

To replace Cape Breton men's-bound Matt Skinn, former St. Mary's assistant coach under the recently-retired Ross Quakenbusch, Augy Jones returns to St. Francis Xavier as the X-Women's interim head coach.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120419-76

The longest serving head coach the Dino women's program ever had (18 seasons), Shawnee Harle decides to hang up her whistle after an amazing run that saw them upset the #1 Regina Cougars in the CIS Bronze Baby quarterfinals as hosts.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120331-38

Alberta assistant Erin McAlaneen stays in the province by going south to Lethbridge and gets to know the program and the southern Alberta basketball community. She'll be the Lethbridge Pronghorns new women's coach.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120410-38

Lisa Thomaidis will take her professional leave of absence from coaching the Saskatchewan Huskies women for other endeavors and will allow her former player Jillian Humbert run the show as interim head coach. It hasn't been that long ago Humbert was donning the green and white on the court. Humbert can act as the big sister to the team.
http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120409-26

Thompson Rivers Wolfpack beef up their frontcourt by adding Spencer Jaroszuk and Terrace Kenneth Monture
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/tru-wolfpack-get-commitment-from-69-forward-spencer-jaroszuk/
http://basketballbuzz.ca/men/tru-wolfpack-beef-up-front-line-with-addition-of-terrace-kenneth-monture/

Glenn Johnston is synonymous with Fanshawe College basketball in the CCAA. After 35 years at the head coaching job, it was time. Four consecutive OCAA titles in the 1970s, back to back national titles in 1980 and 1981, and another OCAA title in 2007 at London did help pave the way for the sport there to culminate with the arrival and subsequential success of the new London Lightning in NBL Canada. This is a great Canadian University Press article about him. Congrats!
http://cupwire.ca/articles/52223