Women's basketball bracketology: Saskatchewan, then Ottawa? Sure.

The two big conferences are posing challenges. Out west, Calgary wrested the home-court advantage throughout the playoffs from Saskatchewan on the margin of an all-time character win on the Huskies' court on the last full weekend of January, but Saskatchewan is well, Saskatchewan, and grades out No. 1 in the ratings report.

Ottawa moved up to No. 1 nationally and has also clinched first overall in OUA, as far as I can tell. If they rate a 

So at first glance, giving Canada West the Nos. 1 and 3 slots with the OUA's berth winners going 2 and 4 makes the most sense. Ryerson and Western both have a better wild-card case than UBC, whose RPI-determined route to nationals includes a potential conference semifinal/play-in game at Saskatchewan.

1. Saskatchewan (Canada West champion). The Huskies led Canada West in effective shooting (the only field-goal percentage acknowledged on this blog) and were second in offensive rebounding. Those traits tend to show up in a playoff environment.
2. Ottawa (OUA champion). Can you think of a more aptly named shooting wing than Tyra Blizzard for a team in our snowy nation's capital? The Gees do not have to leave their own city for the rest of the season.
   
3. Calgary (Canada West auto-berth). The Dinos' only home defeat in league play was to Alberta, their potential semifinal opponent. Just putting that out there.
4. Ryerson (OUA auto-berth). The Rams' final regular-season is a little easier than Brock's as they battle for first in the OUA Central. They also own a 12-point regular-season win against potential semifinal opponent Western. Near as one can tell, Western still needs to defeat Windsor this weekend to finish second in OUA.
5. Laval (RSEQ champion). Hello, total chalk pick. The Bishop's Gaiters' three losses to Laval have all been by single-digit margins and the little engine that could from Lennoxville was very competitive against good Ontario squads in the fall.
6. Acadia (AUS champion). The Atlantic is a pick'em between Acadia (No. 15 in the Ratings Report), UPEI (No. 18) and Memorial (No. 20).
7. Western (wild card). The Mustangs, as noted, outrank and outflank UBC in most of the at-large berth criteria.
8. Carleton (host). Leading Ottawa through the first three quarters and a bit in the Capital Hoops Classic suggests they will be a tough out at the nationals.