Here is the Top 10 for Tuesday, January 22, 2008

NABCC Top Ten
January 22, 2008

Last Week League Record Votes
1. Carleton (43) #1 14-0 516 votes
2. Acadia #3 11-1 467 votes
3. Brandon #5 14-2 425 votes
4. Calgary #2 13-3 382 votes
5. Ottawa #6 12-2 328 votes
6. UBC #4 13-4 313 votes
7. Toronto #9 11-3 232 votes
8. Concordia #7 4-3 200 votes
9. Brock #8 8-5 148 votes
10. Cape Breton #10 10-3 107 votes
11. Windsor #14 9-4 93 votes
12. Alberta #12 11-5 92 votes
13. Laval NR 7-2 25 votes
14. Guelph #11 8-5 12 votes
Saint Mary’s #13 8-4 12 votes

Also…The Top 10 via CIShoops.ca, thanks to Mark Wacyk:

#1 Carleton (20-0, 14-0, RPI = #1) The Ravens have their toughest weekend of the league season coming up as they travel to Queen’s on Friday before returning home to face arch-rival Ottawa at Scotiabank Place in the Capital Hoops Classic where, according to host-school uOttawa, a crowd of over 12,000 is expected. 6′7″ Aaron Doornekamp missed Carleton’s game at Laurentian this past Saturday but should be ready to play this weekend.

#2 Acadia (17-4, 11-1, RPI = # 12) The Axemen had a solid home win against Cape Breton in a battle for top spot in the AUS and have a deep team with skill and athleticism very worthy of a top 10 ranking. The health of 6′1″ Paolo Santana, battling an ankle injury, could be an issue but Acadia has taken on all comers thus far. The Axemen will be tested this coming weekend as they travel to Sydney on Saturday for a return match against Cape Breton and then meet St. FX in Antigonish on Sunday afternoon.

#3 Brandon (19-6, 14-2, RPI = #4) In what was described as one of the most exciting games ever at the Brandon gym, the Bobcats got an All-Canadian performance from 6′3″ Dany Charlery to edge Calgary on Saturday after giving up a big lead. This veteran-laden group has size, athleticism and a fifth-year point guard 6′1″ Yul Michel who has been to two previous Nationals. Brandon has a pair of road games in Winnipeg this weekend at last place Manitoba.

#4 Calgary (17-5, 13-3, RPI = #2) The Dinos made a valiant effort in Brandon after travelling in from Regina the night before, coming back from a sizeable deficit before succuming to the brillance of Dany Charlery. Prior to the season, talk was that the Dinos would go as far as their guards would take them, led by 6′2″ newcomer Jeff Price. If the past month or so is any indicator, all is well with the Dinos backcourt as Price continues his great play, scoring, distribution and rebounding. The Dinos are back at home where they are undefeated this season to face UCFV and Thompson Rivers this weekend.

#5 Cape Breton (16-6, 10-3, RPI = #9) After a close loss at Acadia, the Capers get a rematch on Satuday at home in Sydney. It will be another battle inside between 6′5″ Eric Breland and 6′5″ Leonel Saintil, statistically by far the two best big men in the AUS. This past Sunday’s game was a defensive struggle in the 60’s but with the firepower each team possesses and both teams having a week to prepare (unlike last week when Acadia played the afternoon before and CBU had to travel 5 hours after Friday night’s home game against Dal), expect another classic AUS matchup between two teams which are likely to vie for the conference championship.

#6 Toronto (20-6, 11-3, RPI = #6) The hot-shooting Blues matched a very tough Queen’s Golden Gaels team three-pointer for three-pointer this past Saturday night in taking an exciting win from the Gaels at home to sweep their season series. The Blues have a number of solid players but the consistency and mental toughness of 6′3″ fifth-year point guard Mike Degiorgio down the stretch of the season is key. The Blues are 3-2 against this week’s CISHOOPS.CA Top 10, defeating Ottawa & Windsor at home and Calgary on a neutral floor while losing to Carleton at home and at UBC. Toronto travels to Laurentian and York this weekend.

#7 Ottawa (18-5, 12-2, RPI = #7) With an opportunity to move closer to first place Carleton with a win at the Capital Hoops Classic looming, the Gee-Gees enter the most critical part of their regular season schedule (5 games in 9 days) without key reserve 6′2″ Jacob Gibson-Bascombe, out with a foot injury, putting more pressure on their starting five to play major minutes. It seems reasonable that at some point the Gee-Gees will have to rely on their inexperienced bench to help them win games. Ottawa meets RMC prior to Saturday’s game against the Ravens then goes to Kingston on Tuesday to face Queen’s before coming home to host Ryerson and Toronto next weekend.

#8 Windsor (13-5, 9-4, RPI = #10) The Lancers have won 3 in a row on the road including wins at Western and Brock to take sole possession of first place in the balanced OUA West. Windsor has defended and rebounded and got stellar play from 6′1″ fifth-year guard Ryan Steer, receipes for success down the stretch. The Lancers host Waterloo on Wednesday and Brock on Saturday at the St. Denis Center with a chance to put more space between them and their challengers.

#9 UBC (15-4, 13-4, RPI = #8) It is apparent how important 6′3″ Chris Dyck is to the fortunes of the T-Birds, who were soundly defeated at home by a Simon Fraser team that proceeded to lose two games against Central Division teams when Dyck was out and then won at UVic when Dyck returned. Now the favorite to capture the Pacific Division regular season crown, UBC will have to win away from War Memorial Gym to secure a spot at the Nationals. The Birds have a pair of tough home games this weeeknd as they host #10 Alberta on Friday and Saskatchewan on Saturday.

#10 Alberta (16-6, 11-5, RPI = #3) The Bears are getting their groove back, led by 6′4″ Andrew Parker who appears to be coming out of a mid-season slump during which foul trouble was an issue. Alberta usually peaks around this time of the year and, while first place in the division is likely out of sight given how well Calgary is playing, the Bears remain one of the top teams in Canada West. Alberta has an opportunity to show how far they’ve progress recently when they travel to UBC this Friday.

Also…The Totem poll courtesy of www.thescrumbrandon.com. A Big Shout out to David Larkins and David Sawatzky who do a great job with their website, as well as promoting CIS Basketball. Here is their Canada West hierarchy:

Moments after what had to be a pretty frustrating loss, Calgary Dinos assistant coach Matt Skinn came out of the dressing room at the Brandon University Gymnasium and acknowledged what hundreds in attendance had seen for themselves.

“That’s why CIS basketball is great.”

The Dinos lost 81-77 to Brandon — in a battle of top-five teams — but the two squads waged one of the best contests that old gym has held in the past eight years, good enough that even in defeat a coach ackowledged its quality.
Are either of them winning the national championship? Who knows, but we got a look at a match-up that people on both sides are hoping comes along again with a little bit more on the line.

On to the Totem:

1. (2) Brandon Bobcats (14-2) — The Bobcats truly do rise to their opponents and Saturday’s win over Calgary was a good example of that. They get the top spot for knocking off Calgary but in reality this spot could be 1 and 1a. And, lo and behold, for all the talk about how they’re not as good or deep as last season, here the Bobcats are back on pace for matching — or getting darn close —to last season’s win total.

2. (1) Calgary Dinos (13-3) — The Dinos know they put themselves in a hole with an ugly first quarter on Saturday (and paid for it with a loss) but their 20-2 run in the third showed some serious spine when they could have just rolled over. You don’t need us tellling you: They’re legit.

3. (4) UBC Thunderbirds (13-4) — Two things for which the Birds are thankful: 1) Getting Chris Dyck back on Friday night and 2) the fact that Tuesday night games can easily be forgotten three days later (see: home loss to SFU/road win at UVic).

4. (2) Victoria Vikes (12-5) — They take a dip after a “not-ready-for-primetime” performance on home floor against UBC. We’re not suggesting the Vikes aren’t at UBC’s level — far from it — but it leaves a few questions about their elite-ness when they didn’t seize a big opportunity. Again, the Nos. 3 and 4 teams are probably interchangeable on any given week.

5. (5) Alberta Golden Bears (11-5) — Alex Steele might be the biggest X-factor in Canada West (with a very big tip of the hat to Brandon’s Dany Charlery). Case in point was his 20 first-half points to carry the Bears through some lean minutes against Simon Fraser. He’s a big reason why no one is anxious to play U of A in a one-game setting with a nationals berth on the line.

6. (6) Simon Fraser Clan (9-9) — Willing to give the Clan a break here because of the tough scheduling of the past week. However, upon hearing that they agreed to it in the first place, they’re getting off with a warning: Don’t do it again, OK?

7. (7) Winnipeg Wesmen (8-8) — Think the Wesmen are kicking themselves over blowing a late nine-point lead that came complete with a desperation shot to force overtime by UCFV’s Kyle Graves? If it comes back to haunt them in a few weeks and the Wesmen end up having to go to Regina for playoffs, they’ll be kicking themselves even more.

8. (10) Saskatchewan Huskies (9-7) — A temporary demotion in the rankings is followed up by two convincing home wins but the concerns over depth and ability on the road, where they are 4-8 overall, aren’t going away.

9. (8) Regina Cougars (8-8) — A hair separates the Cougars from the Wesmen, so the only thing that is placing them lower than U of W is the slightly more significant stat that Winnipeg has actually won a game away from home (although not many).

10. (9) Fraser Valley Cascades (8-10) — The Cascades have quietly won three of their last four and can see the final playoff spot in the Pacific on the horizon. Two winnable games (at Lethbridge, at TRU) and three toughies (at Calgary, vs UVic, vs UBC) remain so UCFV might not be content to just settle for No. 4 with the third spot just two points away.

11. (11) Trinity Western Spartans (6-12) — The Spartans head our list of teams whose seasons will end in three weeks. See you in September.

12. (12) Manitoba Bisons (4-12) — If the Bisons weren’t under the impression that the CIS played a winter/spring schedule, then we might be talking about them in more significant terms. They’re closing well (Ws in three of their last four), but someone please tell them that the Canada West is actually counting all those other games in November, too.

13. (13) Thompson Rivers WolfPack (2-16) — They’ve had one more year of conference experience over their fellow college newbies UCFV yet have produced nine less wins. And there’s very little sign that things are going to take a dramatic turn any time soon.

14. (14) Lethbridge Pronghorns (0-16) — Two things can motivate Lethbridge this weekend: Living up to The Scrum’s lofty prediction of last week and winning that game against TRU this weekend. And remembering that the Saskatchewan Huskies will be a lot worse off than them in the off-season.

And Finally, Wayne “WT” Thomas chimes in on his choices and rankings in the CW Conference. And believe me, The Don is always right…or else!

The Contenders…

1. Brandon Bobcats (14-2) - resilient team who beat Calgary at their own rebounding game. The ‘Cats get it done when the chips are on the table. Coach Raimbault carries on a winning tradition and has his team primed to return to Nationals.

2. Calgary Dinos (13-3) - this team has all the tools, with Jeff Price establishing himself as a tough leader at the point. Will need to get a better 1st quarter performance in the tough games. Home for 4 straight in the next 2 weeks.

3. UBC Thunderbirds (13-4) - the return of Chris Dyck propels the ‘Birds to the season’s biggest win, and they are in the driver’s seat in the Pacific. Alberta and Saskatchewan among some significant hurdles between them and the playoff bye.

4. Victoria Vikes (12-5) - despite a home court loss, the Vikes are dangerous with Tyler Haas, Mitch Gudgeon, and impressive rookie Ryan
McKinnon. Big test at SFU this coming weekend.

5. Alberta Golden Bears (11-5) - dispose of SFU and Trinity with Alex Steele notching a career high 40 pts. against the Spartans. Some tough
road games ahead starting this weekend at Saskatchewan.

6. Saskatchewan Huskies (9-7) - Dogs seem to be back on track, and look to get 2 home wins vs. the Bears this week. Andrew Spagrud and
Kyle Grant now setting team records with every shot.

The Pretenders …

7. Simon Fraser Clan (9-9) - let’s remember they beat UBC at War Memorial, and, despite an inhospitable greeting from Alberta and Saskatchewan last weekend, the Clan can give the Vikes a serious roadblock atop Burnaby Mtn. this week.

8. Fraser Valley Cascades (8-10) - OT win at home over Winnipeg, as Barnaby Craddock edges mentor Dave Crook. Doug Plumb is a valuable addition.

8a. Winnipeg Wesmen (8-8) - can be a threat with Erfan getting some help from his mates, but really nowhere to go with Brandon so dominant.

10. Regina Cougars (8-8) - Not much to choose between them and the other two Great Plains also rans … big guns stifled against Calgary in home loss.

11. Manitoba Bisons (4-12) - playing better as a team in the second half, the Herd can give Winnipeg a run in the end, with more depth, perhaps.

12. Trinity Western Spartans (6-12) - it’s officially ‘Next Year Country’ as Coach Lee awaits Brian Banman, and Jamie Vaughn. Not many good road games.

13. Thompson Rivers Wolfpack (2-16) - “Better a few years ago as a College Team” … a quote from a rival Canada West coach. Need to make progress if they are to become competitive with top Pacific teams.

14. Lethbridge Pronghorns (0-16) - No love for this team this season, but they do have a couple of good additions for the future, if they stick around Southern Alberta.

I am hoping to keep this up to date and a little more Bloggish if possible in the future. Drop me a line with any suggestions or thoughts for the site, mjskinn@ucalgary.ca!

by Wayne Thomas

Jan. 19

The Brandon Bobcats hit for 33 fourth quarter points and snatched the big showdown game of Division leaders 81-77 in the Wheat City Saturday. Dany Charlery, the 6′3″ scorer took an incredible 32 shots for the night, and he lit up the Dinos for 18 pts. in the final frame to help the ‘Cats overcome a 70-66 Calgary advantage with 4 minutes left. Charlery had 38 for the game, and, coupled with the home team’s dominance on the boards against the bigger Dinos, it gave Brandon their 9th straight win at home and a Canada West leading 14-2 record.

Calgary drops to 13-3, and will try and take lessons from this match-up over to a possible re-match, which might well take place in Calgary, if both teams are successful in making the Final Four in early March. The big guns for Calgary were quiet in the first half with only 7 pts. in quarter 1, and 20 more in the 2nd, which put them down 10 at the break. With the big boys stalled out, the coaches called upon Jeremy Odland and Josh Lovestone to get the team going in the second half, and, after Tyler Fidler dunked over Brandon’s Yuri Whyms and counted the foul shot, Calgary had a 20-2 run and the lead for the first time.

The teams traded hoops until the final few minutes, when Charlery completed his work, and the Brandon experience trumped the Calgary comeback. On the night, 4 Bobcats ( Yul Michel -10, Tarik Tokar - 12, Whyms - 10) and 5 Dinos ( Jeff Price- 12, Henry Bekkering - 13, Cody Darrah - 12, Tyler Fidler - 13, and Ross Bekkering - 11) were in double figures. Price added 10 assists, once again recording a double double, as did Ross with 10 boards. Brandon had 46 rebounds including 19 on the offensive glass, while Calgary had 37 total.

In the final half Calgary out-scored Brandon 50-44, but the home team stepped up for the win, and the Dinos know they will have to be better if they are to beat Brandon in any playoff bout.

Notes …
Fidler left the game when he was dumped on a dunk attempt in the 4th quarter, and did not return, although he is apparently ok.

With 19 Calgary turnovers to 12 for Brandon and with the rebound advantage, Brandon took 83 shots to only 66 for the Dinos, whose 44% - 36% was better from the field, but just gave the Cats too many chances.

Calgary returns home next weekend for a Friday game with Fraser Valley and a Saturday test against Thompson Rivers. They are also at home Feb. 1st and 2nd against Winnipeg and Manitoba, then they finish the regular season on the road in Saskatoon against the Huskies.

by Wayne Thomas

Jan. 18

You can sometimes fall into a trap if you’re distracted by something up ahead, and the Calgary Dinos certainly had cause to cast their minds ahead 24 hours to their big game Saturday Night. There was, however, the task at hand Friday of taking on the Regina Cougars, who had won 7 of 8 home games this season. The Dinos won the ‘trap game’ 74-66 to run their record to 13-2 heading into Brandon Saturday.

A sluggish start for both teams offensively saw the visiting Dinos take a 32-28 half time lead, then hang on with some sharp foul shooting in the closing minutes to stifle a late Regina charge. Jeff Price had 21 points for Calgary, who scored 13 less than their average, while shooting only 38% from the floor. Henry Bekkering had 20 pts. and 10 rebounds, while Robbie Sihota was the only other Dino in double figures with 11. Ross Bekkering scored only 7 pts., but scooped a big 18 rebounds to propel Calgary to a 50-42 edge on the glass. The Dinos were 22/28 (79%) from the foul line to 16/26 (62%)
for Regina, and the free throws along with some stout defense won the game in the end. Jamaal Williams was the game’s high scorer with 22 pts. for the home team, who were a mere 32% from the floor.

Ross, Tyler Fidler, and Cody Darrah were a combined 4 of 26 from the floor, and this severely limited Calgary’s offensive output … they were, quite possibly, distracted by the confrontation upcoming, but the Dinos did what they had to, and defeated the Cougars to start their weekend on the Prairies.

Brandon and Calgary are tied with the best record in Canada West at 13-2, with both teams looking to get #14 on Saturday. Game time is 7:00 MST with no broadcast available.