Men's Basketball: National Top Ten Recap

Note: we'll recap how the top 10 did in this tracker, then offer comment/analysis on the new rankings (and related topics) later in the week.

#1 Carleton Ravens (1st in RPI):
There was some considerable hype surrounding this weekend's OUA East matchup of Carleton and Toronto. As Tyson Hinz and the Ravens showed, it was probably unfounded. Carleton shellacked Ryerson 89-64 on Friday and then thoroughly dismantled Toronto with a 51 per cent shooting night. Anyone worrying about the Ravens' lack of a frontcourt scoring threat should note Hinz' 57 points over the two games.


#2 UBC Thunderbirds (2nd in RPI):
Holy Josh Whyte, everybody. The reigning MVP scored 52 points on just 26 shots (!!) over two games against Manitoba, as the Thunderbirds defeated the Bisons 106-91 and 87-72, turning the latter, which was a close game, into a classic UBC win with a 34-point fourth quarter.


#3 Saskatchewan Huskies (15th in RPI):
The Brandon Bobcats had a chance to get revenge on Rejean Chabot, the two-time transfer who left the Bobcats two seasons ago to return to the Huskies, but fell victim to a great escape that saw Chabot convert a layup with 19 seconds left to give the Huskies a 76-75 win. Oh, and they won by 39 the next night over the same team. Also, Jamelle Barrett appears to be alright after suffering a hand injury over the break.


#4 Concordia Stingers (t-7th in RPI):
Fell to Laval 86-76, evening their season series at 1-1 and setting up what looks to be a pretty good battle for supremacy in the Q. They atoned for their shortcomings with a nice win over UQAM the next night, as Kyle Desmarais keyed a strong final stretch and lifted the Stingers to a 69-66 win.


#5 St. Francis Xavier X-Men (5th in RPI):
Crushed UPEI by 34. Yawn. Smacked around Acadia 104-67. Snooze. Finally looks like some momentum is building for the X-Men.


#6 Laval Rouge et Or (14th in RPI):
Big statement from the Rouge et Or, beating the Stingers as mentioned above. Sounds like the house was packed, the intensity was playoff-like, and the game was pretty good too as Laval turned a modest Concordia lead into a 10-point win.


#7 Trinity Western Spartans (9th in RPI):
Won a thrilling game in Victoria's barn thanks to a buzzer-beater from Tristan Smith, whose jumper gave the Spartans an 86-84 win. They took care of business a little more robustly the next night in a 74-65 win. Jacob Doerksen averaged 25 points and nine rebounds for the two games. Come on, Jacob, is that the best you can do? What a bum.


#8 Windsor Lancers (6th in RPI):
Outclassed two pretty good OUA West teams on the road, beating Western 87-72 and taking care of Brock 85-77. Isaac Kuon did his best Isaac Kuon impression, averaging 22.5 points for the two games.


#9 Toronto Varsity Blues (4th in RPI):
Tough weekend for the Blues. After scraping by Ottawa (who have to be the best 3-7 team in Canada), they went to Carleton and got thoroughly outclassed by the Ravens. Gosh darn those Carletons are good. Hopefully a Feb. 12 rematch in Toronto proves to be a better game.


#10 Cape Breton Capers (3rd in RPI):
Dalhousie's a pretty good team. So when you let them shoot 62 per cent on their own court, you're probably not going to win (93-79 Dal). Forcing them into 17 turnovers and getting to the free throw line 28 times is a better strategy, I do say (64-57 Cape Breton).
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