Men's Basketball: National Top Ten Tracker

Two conferences head to the playoffs and the other two are getting there in this week's edition of the Top 10 tracker.

(Latest CIS top 10; RPI rankings)

1. CARLETON RAVENS (22-0 OUA, 2nd in RPI, SRS of +21.4)

Clinched the increasingly inevitable undefeated conference season with an 81-60 win over Ottawa. It's the first time the Ravens have gone without a loss since 2007-08, which actually sounds quite unimpressive when you put it like that. Coach Dave Smart says Carleton will still need to "play above our heads to win a national championship."

Next week: Will play the lowest remaining OUA East Seed next Saturday in an OUA Quarter-final.


2. UBC THUNDERBIRDS (22-2 CW, 3rd in RPI, SRS of +20.6)

Shut down potential upsets by the Victoria Vikes with 103-75 and and 86-74 victories on the road. That's 18 wins in a row, by the way, to close the regular season and lock up the highly coveted top Canada West seed.

Next week: Host 9-15 Manitoba in a best-of-three playoff series. I'm not liking the chances of an upset for the Bisons.


3. SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (20-4 CW, 4th in RPI, SRS of +16.1)

Ended Calgary's playoff hopes with 107-92 and 95-76 wins over the Dinos.

Next week: Of the three Canada West juggernauts, Sasky gets the toughest first round deal with 14-10 Regina making a visit to Saskatoon.


4. TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (22-3 CW, 7th in RPI, SRS of +17.6)

Had an extra week to prepare for their first round playoff matchup, which will be with the Fraser Valley Cascades, who closed the regular season with three wins to finish 10-14 and sneak into the playoffs. I'd like to think this is a trap game for Jacob Doerksen and co., but... nah.


5. CAPE BRETON CAPERS (17-1 AUS, 1st in RPI, SRS of +8.9)

How do you shoot 38 per cent and win by 20? Shoot 28 free throws and win the glass 43-29, as the Capers did in an 88-68 victory over UNB.

Next week: Host UPEI and UNB to close out the season and try to guarantee the AUS first seed.


6. LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES (17-5 OUA, 6th in RPI, SRS of +6.9)

Got knocked off 73-59 by the hungry Western Mustangs one night after an 85-75 win, though it looks like the T-Bayers sat their starters a fair bit with the OUA West's top seed locked up. [Ed. note: a classic Joe Torre move by Yankee fan Scott Morrison. -RP]

Next week: Like Carleton, get to chill out and watch their OUA West prey duke it out amongst themselves until Saturday.


7. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER X-MEN (13-5 AUS, 5th in RPI, SRS of +13.1)

Quite a shooting weekend from the X-Men in two wins over Memorial. First, they pulled away 105-87 thanks to 57 per cent shooting, then went bananas from downtown in a 114-71 blowout thanks to 14 triples. That'll get it done.

Next week: Close out their regular season with home games against UNB and UPEI.


8. DALHOUSIE TIGERS (13-6 AUS, 9th in RPI, SRS of +11.3)

Fell 73-71 to Acadia despite outshooting the Axemen 48 per cent to 42. That loss came one night after an 81-73 triumph. They also came up with an 84-62 win over Saint Mary's. That should provide for some healthy debate on Tuesday's ratings tracker.

Next week: host SMU, travel to Acadia for two


9. WINDSOR LANCERS (16-6 OUA, 8th in RPI, SRS of +7.7)

Made the OUA West playoff scenario extremely complicated with a 92-85 win over Guelph. They also completed a nice comeback over McMaster to earn a 77-73 win in Isaac Kuon, Monty Hardware and Andre Smyth's senior's nights.

Next week: Host the highest-remaining OUA West foe on Saturday.


10. LAVAL ROUGE et OR (10-5 QUBL, 17th in RPI, SRS of -0.8)

Oh dear. Two weeks ago it looked like Laval was pulling away, or at least looking something like a favourite, in the QUBL. After last week's loss to Concordia, they lost this week to Bishop's. Yes, the 2-13 Bishop's Gaiters. They also managed to squeak out an earlier win over UQAM 77-75. Asking who the favourite is to come out of the Q is like asking me whether I'd rather eat a burrito, sub or shawarma. It seems to change every week.

Next week: Finish up with one game against Bishop's.