Saturday 26 January 2008

Saturday's CIS Action

OUA WEST
2:00 pm Laurier (9-14, 6-8) at Western (14-9, 7-7) The Hawks continue their road trip against the resurgent Mustangs and Laurier needs a win to keep pace in the battle for a home playoff game. Western can solidify their hold on fourth place in the OUA West with a win. Western Gazette article on Mustangs progress
3:00 pm Waterloo (7-17, 4-11) at McMaster (11-10, 6-8) The Warriors desperately need a win to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot while consistency has been an issue with the Marauders, especially at home. Expect a sell-out crowd at the Burridge Gym on Mac Employees Day. Game can be heard on the Internet at CFMU Radio with play-by-play from Bill Malley plus follow game with LIVE STATS! Larry Moko's preview piece in this morning's Hamilton Spectator Losier lets it loose
4:00 pm Guelph (14-7, 9-5) at Brock (14-11, 9-5) The winner of this game is in a solid spot with respect to a first round playoff bye. The Badgers beat Guelph at Guelph 87-79 two weeks ago so Guelph needs to win by 9 or more to hold the tie-breaker in the event of a deadlock in the standings between the two teams at the end of the season. 6'4" Jonathan Moscatelli is close to being ready for the Gryphs. Game is available via video webcast on SSN Also Greg Layson's game preview in this morning Guelph Mercury
8:00 pm Lakehead (9-12) at #8 Windsor (15-5, 11-4) The Lancers blasted the T-Wolves by 29 last night but second games of back-to-backs rarely follow the same pattern as the first game.

OUA WEST STANDINGS ENTERING TODAY'S GAMES
#8 Windsor 11-4
Brock 9-5
Guelph 9-5
Western 7-7
Lakehead 7-8
McMaster 6-8
Laurier 6-8
Waterloo 4-11

AUS
3:00 pm Dalhousie (12-12, 6-6) at UPEI (6-18, 5-8) The Tigers can move closer to fourth place with another road win after holding off the late-surging Panthers in Charlottetown last night. Both teams are comfortably in the AUS tournament.
8:00 pm Saint Mary's (19-7, 8-4) at StFX (16-7, 7-3) Another classic is expected in the longest-standing AUS rivalry between the two AUS programs with the most AUS & National championships. St. FX knocked off SMU by 11 in Halifax 11 days ago. Game is available via video webcast on EASTLINK
8:00 pm #2 Acadia (17-4, 11-1) at #5 Cape Breton (16-6, 10-3) FOUR POINT GAME The rematch of Sunday's thriller in Wolfville in which the Axemen hung on for a one-point win. Expect a sellout crowd in Sydney and the game can be watched live on Capers TV
8:00 pm UNB (3-21, 0-12) at Memorial (1-19, 0-10) FOUR POINT GAME Something has to give in St. John's as two teams looking for their first league victory of the season meet for the first of two weekend games.

AUS STANDINGS entering today's play
#5 Cape Breton 10-3, 28 pts.
#2 Acadia 11-1, 26 pts.
Saint Mary's 8-4, 24 pts.
St. FX 7-3, 20 pts.
Dalhousie 6-6, 16 pts.
UPEI 5-8, 14 pts.
Memorial 0-10, 0 pts.
UNB 0-12, 0 pts.

QSSF
8:00 pm McGill (11-10, 5-5) at Laval (14-8, 8-2) Winners of 8 consecutive league games, Laval looks to grab a 4 game lead over the Redmen with a win at home tonight. McGill has lost 3 of their last 4 including a 23 point pasting at home to Laval two weeks ago.
8:00 pm Concordia (11-5, 5-3) at UQAM (4-9, 3-6) The Citadins need a victory to maintain any hope of getting home court in the "Q" semi-finals. With a loss, UQAM falls only one-half game ahead of fifth-place Bishop's for the final playoff spot. 6'1" Damian Buckley has been putting the Stingers on his back lately, including last night's near triple double in Lennoxville against Bishop's. CHOQ FM

QSSF Standings before tonight's games
Laval 8-2
Concordia 5-3
McGill 5-5
UQAM 3-6
Bishop's 2-7

OUA EAST
8:00 pm #1 Carleton (21-0, 15-0) vs. #7 Ottawa (19-5, 13-2) Numerous storylines for this game, not least of which is the expected large crowd and usual electric atmosphere that typifies this matchup. 6'4" Ryan Bell awoke offensively last night in a big spot in Kingston with 6 threes including the dagger with about 3 minutes remaining. Bell and 6'7" Aaron Doornekamp have been in these big spots before so expect both to be prominent. Ottawa's 6'4" Josh Gibson-Bascombe, author of last season's dramatic finish, will be looked upon to provide even more offense as the Gee-Gees lack the depth of last season's squad. Still, Carleton shortened their bench in last night's game at Queen's as well. Carleton is at their best when they defend and rebound while Ottawa will need to get transition opportunities out of their defense. 6'3" Sean Peter is quietly putting together an All-Star season. Both teams have used the ball screen significantly to start and/or end offensive possessions so how that play is defended on both sides should have a bearing on the outcome. Rogers Television will have the game in the Capital Region and in parts of Ontario. No webcasting available to my knowledge. Again, here is Wayne Kondro's Capital Hoops Classic Preview article at SCOTIABANK PLACE
8:00 pm Ryerson (6-18, 5-10) at Laurentian (3-22, 2-14) Ryerson basically clinches a playoff spot with a win in Sudbury tonight while the Vees are all but eliminated with a loss. LIVE STATS
8:00 pm #6 Toronto (21-6, 12-3) at York (6-20, 4-12) Expect a lot tighter game than the team records may indicate as the Lions have played with much more energy and purpose over the last 4 games (two victories). York has their sights on fifth place while the Blues are targeting second place and a first round playoff bye.
8:00 pm Queen's (15-9, 9-6) at RMC (0-22, 0-15) The Kingston teams meet for the first of two this season.

OUA EAST STANDINGS
#1 Carleton 15-0
#7 Ottawa 13-2
#6 Toronto 12-3
Queen's 9-6
Ryerson 5-10
York 4-12
Laurentian 2-14
RMC 0-15

CANADA WEST
5:00 pm PT/8 PM ET Victoria (14-10, 13-5) at Simon Fraser (10-13, 9-10) The Vikes came back from an early deficit with another solid defensive effort to win last night's game by 15 in Burnaby.
7:00 pm MT/9 PM ET #10 Alberta (17-6, 12-5) at Saskatchewan (15-10, 9-8) The Bears win last night put them in position to finish second in the division and host the probable best-of-3 division semi-finals at home in Edmonton. 6'4" Andrew Parker gave Alberta the lead for good with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining last night after the Huskies crawled back from a double digit deficit.
7:30 pm CT/8:30 PM ET Regina (11-9, 9-8) at Winnipeg (11-12, 8-9) Second of two in Winnipeg in the battle for second place in the Great Plains. Regina has won all 3 league games this season and now will finish ahead of the Wesmen in the event of a tie between the two teams in the final standings.
8:00 pm PT/11 PM ET #9 UBC (16-4, 14-4) at Trinity Western (6-13, 6-13) The teams played to overtime last night with UBC prevailing in Langley. Spartan Web Radio
8:00 pm MT/10 PM ET UCFV (9-13, 8-11) at Lethbridge (2-18, 1-16)
8:00 pm MT/10 PM ET Thompson Rivers (3-18, 2-17) at #4 Calgary (18-5, 14-3)
8:15 pm CT/9:15 PM ET #3 Brandon (20-6, 15-2) at Manitoba (7-17, 4-13)

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