Basketball: Previewing the Quebec semi-finals

UQAM (11-5) vs Bishop’s (7-9)
Game time: Friday 7:00pm
Season series: 2-2

UQAM, for the first time, enters the QSSF playoffs as the favourite. They won the Quebec championship before, but that was after upsetting the Stingers and Rouge et Or. The season series between the top and final playoff qualifier was even, but the home team won each game.

UQAM, as I have written about before, almost beat last year’s champions in the Quebec final, but blew a late lead to allow Concordia to come all the way back. The core of the team has returned, and the team has been strong all season. They still needed a win on the season’s last day to clinch top spot.

Bishop’s makes its return to the playoffs and enters on a three-game winning streak beating McGill, Concordia and UQAM in their last game of the season. Led by strong newcomers, the Gaiters seem to be on the upswing and their playoff appearance is the first of many to come.

Laval (10-6) vs McGill (8-8)
Game time: Saturday 8:15pm
Season series: 2-2

Laval is used to hosting home playoff games in the semi-final and this year is no different. It seems like their team has changed so much since even a couple of years ago, but have key players that have led the team to within one game of the Citadins.

The Redmen split the season series with McGill winning the final meeting between the two teams – at PEPS no less. Matthew Thornhill who has been the best player in Quebec not named Damian the last three years in the Quebec conference finally had the title changed to best player in the Q. He has to be huge for McGill to make a run.

Laval has been up and down in their last six entering the playoffs. They have gone 3-3, including a loss to bottom-feeding Concordia and a triple overtime win against the Stingers. They also lost games to UQAM and McGill before bouncing back to beat the Gaiters twice, flanking the win against Concordia.