Elite eight: Examining the four U Sports men’s basketball quarterfinals

OTTAWA — Here’s a look at the four quarterfinal matchups at the U Sports men’s basketball championship on Friday:

No. 1 CARLETON RAVENS (24-1) vs. No. 8 CALGARY DINOS (19-3)

Calgary got the at-large bid, setting up a rematch of last year’s final, won by Carleton … Ravens look to continue their dynasty with a new coach in Taffe Charles. Carleton has won 14 U Sports titles since 2003 … Ravens’ only loss this season was against Ottawa at same TD Place Arena where national championship will take place … Dinos have national player of the year in forward Brett Layton.

No. 2 DALHOUSIE TIGERS (21-1) vs. No. 7 OTTAWA GEE-GEES (19-5)

Tigers’ Keevan Veinot became first Dalhousie player to earn Atlantic conference MVP award … Quarterfinal matchup features only two teams in the tournament without a national title on their resume … Gee-Gees in as hosts after losing to Carleton in Ontario semis … Ottawa was ranked as high as third in the country this season.

No. 3 UBC THUNDERBIRDS (19-4) vs. No. 6 BISHOP’S GAITERS (10-8)

Thunderbirds aiming for their first national title since 1972 … UBC coach Kevin Hanson became winningest coach in Canada West history this year when he earned his 314th career victory in early January … Gaiters finished third in Quebec in regular season before surprising playoff run, capped by a buzzer-beater in the final against UQAM … Gaiters’ Nervens Demosthene scored 39 points against Concordia on Feb. 20, the most in Quebec conference play since 2014. 

No. 4 ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (21-2) vs. No. 5 WESTERN MUSTANGS (18-7)

Golden Bears got All-Canadian forward Brody Clarke back from injury late in season … Alberta is in the Final 8 for a program record fourth time in a row … Mustangs led Ontario in three-pointers, averaging 10.5 per game … Western’s lone national title came in 1991.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2020.

The Canadian Press