OTTAWA (CIS) – Ryerson University hosts the 2015 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Final 8 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The eight-team competition, which is staged in Toronto for the first time, gets underway Thursday and culminates Sunday at 3 p.m. with the gold-medal final, live on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet ONE.
Championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/index
Saturday's semifinals are also live on Sportsnet 360 (6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.), while all other games from the tourney are set to air on Rogers TV, Rogers TV Sports + and Super Sports Pak. All 11 contests will also be webcast on www.CIS-SIC.tv.
Joining the newly-crowned OUA champion Carleton Ravens in their quest for the W.P. McGee Trophy will be the second-seeded Windsor Lancers (OUA finalists), No. 3 Ottawa Gee-Gees (OUA bronze medallists), No. 4 Victoria Vikes (Canada West champs), No. 5 Dalhousie Tigers (AUS champs), No. 6 Bishop's Gaiters (RSEQ champs), No. 7 Ryerson Rams (OUA 4th-place finishers) and No. 8 Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West finalists).
Thursday's quarter-final matchups include Saskatchewan vs. Carleton in the opener at 11 a.m., followed by Dalhousie vs. Victoria at 1 p.m., host Ryerson vs. Windsor at 6 p.m., as well as Bishop's vs. Ottawa in the 8 p.m. nightcap.
After falling in the Canada West final each of the past two years, No. 4 Victoria heads to its third straight CIS tournament but this time as conference champion thanks to a thrilling 70-67 gold-medal win over Saskatchewan last Saturday. The Vikes are led by fifth-year post Chris McLaughlin, the 6-foot-10 Canada West MVP, who averaged 19.8 points and 10.0 rebounds during the regular schedule.
"We are excited to be back at nationals. Any time you are one of eight teams still playing at this time of the year you are happy," said head coach Craig Beaucamp, whose program ranks second all-time to Carleton with eight McGee Trophy triumphs. "Everyone at the tournament has had to win some big games to get this far. This year the tournament is deep and should prove to be very competitive every round."
One of the most consistent teams in the country in recent years, Saskatchewan earned the eighth seed for the second straight season and hopes for a better result that in 2014, when the Huskies dropped a 94-73 decision to Ottawa in the first round. The Saskatoon squad was 3-0 against UVic this season before a heartbreaking loss on home court to the Vikes in the Canada West final.
"The Huskies are honoured to be able to represent the Canada West at the CIS championship," said five-year head coach Barry Rawlyk, who is coaching in his third Final 8. "Playing in this championship was one of our major goals from the start of the year, and to be able to achieve this goal is truly a reward for all of the hard work and commitment our players have put in this season. To be able to play against the nation's best teams is something our student-athletes are looking forward to."
NOTES: All Wednesday practices at the Mattamy Athletic Centre are open to the media, starting at 9 a.m (detailed schedule below)... The All-Canadian Awards Show & Gala is set for Wednesday evening at Uniun Nightclub (473 Adelaide St. West).
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
NO. 1 CARLETON RAVENS
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Dave Smart (16th season)
Regular season record: 17-2
Regular season standing: 2nd OUA North
Playoff record: 3-0
Playoff finish: OUA champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 26-2
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 4-2 (1-1 vs. WIN, 1-1 OTT, 1-0 VIC, 1-0 BIS)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 1
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (9 polls)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 3rd (91.1)
National ranking (defence): 1st (56.4)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Thomas Scrubb (defensive MVP)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Thomas Scrubb (F), Philip Scrubb (G)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Connor Wood (G)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Thomas Scrubb (17.2), Philip Scrubb (16.6)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Thomas Scrubb (7.6)
Season leader (assists per game): Philip Scrubb (4.5)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 18th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 36-10 (.783)
Best result: 10-time champions (2011-2014, 2009, 2003-2007)
Last appearance: 2014 (champions)
Sequence: 13th straight appearance
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-0
NO. 2 WINDSOR LANCERS
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Chris Oliver (10th season)
Regular season record: 15-5
Regular season standing: 1st OUA West
Playoff record: 3-1
Playoff finish: OUA finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 24-6
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 2-3 (1-1 vs. CAR, 1-1 OTT, 0-1 RYE)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 5
Top 10 best ranking: No. 4 (poll #3)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 7th (86.6)
National ranking (defence): 18th (75.0)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: Rotimi Osuntola Jr. (G)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Mitch Farrell (G)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Rotimi Osuntola Jr. (20.2), Mitch Farrell (13.1)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Rotimi Osuntola Jr. (11.5)
Season leader (assists per game): Khalid Abdel-Gabar (2.8)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 17th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 17-18 (.486)
Best result: 5-time champions (1969, 1967, 1966, 1964, 1963)
Last appearance: 2010 (6th place)
Sequence: Return after 4-year absence
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-0
NO. 3 OTTAWA GEE-GEES
Team Statistics
Head Coach: James Derouin (5th season)
Regular season record: 18-1
Regular season standing: 1st OUA North
Playoff record: 2-1
Playoff finish: OUA bronze medallists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 29-2
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 6-2 (1-1 vs. CAR, 1-1 WIN, 1-0 DAL, 1-0 BIS, 2-0 RYE)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 2
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (4 polls)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 1st (94.5)
National ranking (defence): 7th (69.2)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Johnny Berhanemeskel (MVP), James Derouin (coach)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Johnny Berhanemeskel (G), Caleb Agada (F)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Gabriel Gonthier-Dubue (F)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Johnny Berhanemeskel (23.2), Caleb Agada (15.8)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Caleb Agada (7.9)
Season leader (assists per game): Mike L'Africain (4.8)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 9th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 12-10 (.545)
Best result: Finalists (2014)
Last appearance: 2014 (finalists)
Sequence: 3rd straight appearance
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-2 (1 appearance)
NO. 4 VICTORIA VIKES
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Craig Beaucamp (12th season)
Regular season record: 15-5
Regular season standing: 2nd Canada West Pioneer Division
Playoff record: 4-0
Playoff finish: Canada West champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 23-8
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 2-4 (0-1 vs. CAR, 1-0 BIS, 1-3 SSK)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 7
Top 10 best ranking: No. 5 (poll #7)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 16th (78.6)
National ranking (defence): 10th (70.9)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Chris McLaughlin (MVP)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Chris McLaughlin (F)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: None
Conference 3rd team all-stars: Marcus Tibbs (PG)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Chris McLaughlin (19.8), Marcus Tibbs (17.1)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Chris McLaughlin (10.0)
Season leader (assists per game): Marcus Tibbs (5.1)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 24th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 38-21 (.644)
Best result: 8-time champions (1997, 1980 to 1986)
Last appearance: 2014 (4th place)
Sequence: 3rd straight appearance
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 8-0 (4 appearances)
NO. 5 DALHOUSIE TIGERS
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Rick Plato (2nd season)
Regular season record: 10-10
Regular season standing: 5th AUS
Playoff record: 3-0
Playoff finish: AUS champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 13-14
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 0-2 (0-1 vs. OTT, 0-1 RYE)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): Unranked
Top 10 best ranking: Unranked all season
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 0
National ranking (offence): 18th (77.6)
National ranking (defence): 23rd (76.9)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Ritchie Kanza Mata (defensive MVP)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Kashrell Lawrence (F)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: None
Conference all-rookie team: Sean Dodds (G)
Season leaders (points per game): Kashrell Lawrence (18.1), Jarred Reid (13.6)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Kashrell Lawrence (7.4)
Season leader (assists per game): Ritchie Kanza Mata (7.0)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 4th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 1-6 (.143)
Best result: 6th place (2011)
Last appearance: 2011 (6th place)
Sequence: Return after 3-year absence
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-6 (3 appearances)
NO. 6 BISHOP'S GAITERS
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Rod Gilpin (7th season)
Regular season record: 8-8
Regular season standing: 3rd RSEQ
Playoff record: 2-0
Playoff finish: RSEQ champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 10-15
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 0-5 (0-1 vs. CAR, 0-1 OTT, 0-1 VIC, 0-2 RYE)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): Unranked
Top 10 best ranking: Unranked all season
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 0
National ranking (offence): 40th (69.1)
National ranking (defence): 3rd (65.5)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: Kyle Desmarais (G)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Matt McLean (F)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Kyle Desmarais (14.4), Mike Andrews (11.6)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Majid Naji (7.9)
Season leader (assists per game): Kyle Desmarais (3.0)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 7th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 7-9 (.438)
Best result: 1-time champions (1998)
Last appearance: 1999 (6th place)
Sequence: Return after 15-year absence
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-0
NO. 7 RYERSON RAMS
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Roy Rana (6th season)
Regular season record: 17-2
Regular season standing: 1st OUA East
Playoff record: 1-2
Playoff finish: 4th OUA
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 26-4
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 5-4 (0-2 vs. CAR, 1-0 WIN, 0-2 OTT, 1-0 DAL, 2-0 BIS, 1-0 SSK)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 3
Top 10 best ranking: No. 3 (all 13 polls)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 4th (89.3)
National ranking (defence): 4th (65.9)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Bjorn Michaelsen (Ken Shields Award nominee)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Jahmal Jones (G), Aaron Best (G)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Adika Peter-McNeilly (G)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Jahmal Jones (17.2), Aaron Best (14.6)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Kadeem Green (6.8)
Season leader (assists per game): Jahmal Jones (5.4)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 3rd
All-time record (not including Regionals): 1-4 (.200)
Best result: 6th place (2012)
Last appearance: 2012 (6th place)
Sequence: Return after 2-year absence
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 0-0
NO. 8 SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Barry Rawlyk (5th season)
Regular season record: 15-5
Regular season standing: 1st Canada West Pioneer Division
Playoff record: 3-2
Playoff finish: Canada West finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 23-9
Overall record vs. Final 8 teams: 3-2 (0-1 vs. RYE, 3-1 VIC)
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 24): No. 6
Top 10 best ranking: No. 5 (poll #10)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (13 polls): 13
National ranking (offence): 10th (83.4)
National ranking (defence): 21st (76.4)
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Ben Baker (defensive MVP)
Conference 1st team all-stars: None
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Matthew Forbes (F)
Conference 3rd team all-stars: Dadrian Collins (F)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leaders (points per game): Dadrian Collins (15.2), Matthew Forbes (13.4)
Season leader (rebounds per game): Ben Baker (7.7)
Season leader (assists per game): Ben Baker (4.1)
CIS Championship History
Appearances (not including Regionals): 8th
All-time record (not including Regionals): 9-10 (.474)
Best result: 1-time champions (2010)
Last appearance: 2014 (5th place)
Sequence: 2nd straight appearance
Regionals record (1983 to 1986): 2-2 (2 appearances)
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 11 (practices at Mattamy Centre: OPEN TO MEDIA)
9:00 Saskatchewan
10:00 Carleton
11:00 Dalhousie
12:00 Victoria
13:00 Ryerson
14:00 Windsor
15:00 Bishop's
16:00 Ottawa
18:00 All-Canadian Awards Show & Gala (Uniun Nightclub - 473 Adelaide St. West)
Thursday, March 12
11:00 Quarter-final 1: No. 8 Saskatchewan vs. No. 1 Carleton (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
13:00 Quarter-final 2: No. 5 Dalhousie vs. No. 4 Victoria (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
18:00 Quarter-final 3: No. 7 Ryerson vs. No. 2 Windsor (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
20:00 Quarter-final 4: No. 6 Bishop's vs. No. 3 Ottawa (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
Friday, March 13
14:00 Consolation 1: Loser QF 1 vs. Loser QF 2 (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
16:00 Consolation 2: Loser QF 3 vs. Loser QF 4 (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
Saturday, March 14
14:00 5th-place game (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
18:00 Semifinal 1: Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 2 (Sportsnet 360 / www.CIS-SIC.tv) **
20:30 Semifinal 2: Winner QF 3 vs. Winner QF 4 (Sportsnet 360 / www.CIS-SIC.tv) **
Sunday, March 15
11:30 Bronze (Rogers TV / www.CIS-SIC.tv) *
15:00 Final (Sportsnet 360 & ONE / www.CIS-SIC.tv) **
* Rogers TV, Rogers TV Sports +, Super Sports Pak.
** The webcast of the semifinals & final are on pay-per-view basis.
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, over 11,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 56 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:
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