Monday, 9 November 2009

CIS Hoops.ca Top 10 November 8th, 2009

No changes in the top five of this week's Top 10 however with league play now is full flight and much balance among teams at/near the top, expect some churn going forward. Four teams remain undefeated against CIS competition and those 4 teams are our top 4 in this week's ranking.

#1 Carleton (8-0, 2-0) (LW #1) The Ravens were on the brink of defeat - and in fact should easily have lost - this past Friday night as an injury-riddled Guelph Gryphons side, which had played valiantly until the final 20 seconds, handed Carleton the win with a last second turnover and offensive rebound. While Carleton rebounded with a solid win at Brock on Saturday, early returns from this current group of Ravens have some folks wondering how long they can hang on to this top ranking. Carleton remains very difficult to score against in the quarter-court but are uncharacteristically giving up many offensive rebounds, their offensive decision-making this weekend was not up to previous standards and, most troubling for Ravens fans, not getting the full out effort from every player on the floor all the time. Carleton gets tested this weekend at home against Windsor and Western.

#2 UBC (4-0, 1-0) (LW #2) The T-Birds were soundly defeated in a pair of NCAA games in Oklahoma this past week and return home to face Saskatchewan and Alberta this coming weekend, both of which should be strong tests.

#3 Calgary (7-0, 4-0) (LW #3) The Dinos were able to overcome Manitoba's small ball lineup and their full out aerial assault from the three point line to come out with a pair of dominant victories on the road. Calgary returns home to host Fraser Valley and Thompson Rivers this coming weekend.

#4 McMaster (9-0, 2-0) (LW #4) The Marauders six-point win at Queen's was not pretty for both teams but Mac won against a very good team in a building where the Gaels are tough to beat, holding down one of the country's top players in 6'6" Mitch Leger in the process. Mac plays their regular season home opener on Friday against Toronto Varsity Blues and then hosts resurgent Ryerson on Saturday.

#5 Dalhousie (8-1, 1-0) (LW #5) A nice road win against UNB Varsity Reds in a game that had to be played in a high school gym solidified Tigers hold on a Top 5 ranking. The Tigers host Memorial next weekend for a pair of games in Halifax before preparing for their showdown in two weeks at home against X.

#6 Windsor (4-1, 2-0) (LW: #8) A pair of dominant home victories against lower echelon OUA East teams this weekend allowed Coach Chris Oliver to give his entire dressed roster time. Still, it is veterans who are leading the way. The Lancers only loss is to #2 UBC and with a pair of difficult road wins out west and a couple of teams previously ahead of them slipping, this ranking is justified, although it will be tested this weekend as the Lancers travel to the Nation's Capital for a pair of games.

#7 Saskatchewan (7-1, 2-0) (LW: #9) Behind two strong games from Showron Glover, the Huskies romped over Brandon in the first game on Friday and then jumped out big before holding off the Bobcats in the second game. With experience at the guard spots and up front, the Huskies have a chance to contend in Canada West, the extent to which we will get our first clue next weekend as Saskatchewan visits #2 UBC on Friday and then proceeds out to the Island to face UVic the next night.

#8 St. FX (8-2, 2-0) (LW: NR) A pair of impressive wins while on the longest AUS road trip of the season and the growing ability to hold teams down defensively justifies this jump for X. With only 2 road losses (at Mac and at Guelph which almost defeated Carleton on Friday) and the recent victories much more decisive, X's roster is back (although 6'4" Dwayne Johnson is likely to miss the entire season) with Terrence Taylor providing another dimension. The X-Men are idle until two weeks from Sunday when they play at Dalhousie.

#9 Toronto (7-2, 1-1) (LW #6) After a thrilling overtime win against then-#10 Laurier Golden Hawks, the Blues had trouble rebounding the next night against Waterloo and, playing without 6'8" Nick Snow (ill), could not close the deal at home, losing their second game of the season to the Warriors as star guard Rob Paris, who lit up the Hawks for 30 points, went only 1-8 from downtown against Waterloo. The Blues have a chance to push back up toward the top of the rankings this weekend as they face #4 McMaster on Friday in Hamilton.

#10 Cape Breton (6-2, 1-1) (LW #7) After a dominating performance against SMU on Friday night, the Capers were poised to move up in the rankings but tripped up in the second game on Saturday. CBU continues to play without 6'3" Paris Carter but has a deep roster. The Capers are off until Sat. Nov. 21st when they visit winless UPEI.

Dropped Out of Top 10: #10 Laurier (4-3, 0-2)

Honourable Mention: Trinity Western (1-1, 0-1) (LW HM) The Spartans won at Utah Valley this week before losing at Brigham Young and at Utah State to go 1-2 on their tour of Utah and NCAA D1 programs. TWU continues their Canada West regular season schedule on the road this coming weekend when they play at Brandon and at Regina.

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