Late night (and early morning) links ...

Basketball

• Alberta Golden Bears coach Greg Francis did Q&A with a Gonzaga blog about Canadian hoops. The focus was on the Zags' Canadian newcomers — Mangisto Arop, Bol Kong, Kelly Olynyk — but it seems like there more regard for Canadian ballers emanating from Spokane, Washington than from much of this country:
  

  "In the next few years, the college basketball world in America will truly see the abilities of Canadian players. Guys like Tristan Thompson and Myck Kabongo are two outstanding Canadian talents heading to Texas. Top-10 point guard Cory Joseph will also be taking his game to some lucky D1 program. Gonzaga has bought in bulk with their 2009 class, bringing in three outstanding Canadian players. Mangisto Arop, Kelly Olynyk, and Bol Kong will all lace 'em up for the Zags next year so with that being said, there is no better man to talk to than Greg Francis who played his college ball in the United States and played alongside Steve Nash at the Sydney Olympic games in 2000."

  (The Slipper Still Fits)
  
  
• Mark Wacyk rhymes off some of the NBA players who shone in NCAA-CIS exhibition games in Canada, including the likes of Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin. There's some regret on this end for not calling more attention to the fact this great feature of Canadian university basketball is going by the wayside.
  
  Some guy will likely also be writing a story for the Ottawa Sun about the St. John's Red Storm's visit to the nation's capital on Sunday to play Carleton (1 p.m.) and Ottawa (8:30 p.m.). (cishoops.ca)

Football

• Defensive tackle Don Oramasionwu (U of M Bisons) is making great strides in his CFL rookie season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. (Winnipeg Free Press)
  
  
• Slotback Andy Fantuz talks about his sore hamstring and his contract talks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. (Rider Rumblings)
  
  
• Running back Guillaume Allard-Cameus (Laval) has been picked up by the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, who seem bound and determined to have 12 Canadian fullbacks on their roster (Queen's alum Mike Giffin, plus veteran Kerry Carter are already there). Allard-Cameus was recently released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. (Le Soleil)
  
  
• Three-hundred-thirty-five pound Pascal Baillargeon broke his hand in Laval's exhibition win over Western on Sunday, meaning the Rouge et Or are suddenly short-staffed along the offensive line. (Is that the strain of a symphony of very small violins originating from the general vicinity of Ontario?) Le Soleil
  
  
• For clarification's sake, it is worth noting Queen's linebacker-defensive end Shomari Williams will become eligible in Week 3 of the OUA schedule, in time for the Golden Gaels-Ottawa Gee-Gees game on Sept. 19. Williams is starting a new degree (Bachelor of Education) after graduating from Houston in three years, but he did play in 2008.
  
  
• A couple major take-homes from Queen's 33-6 exhibition win over Toronto, via Sun Media's fine sportswriter, Mike Koreen: The Golden Gaels' first-string offence went 2-for-2, scoring touchdown on its only two drives. Queen's combination kicker, Dan Village, suffered a left leg injury.
  
  Backup QB Tom Howes also caught a touchdown pass while lined up as a receiver. (Kingston Whig-Standard)
  

Hockey

• UNB unveiled its new hockey logo on Monday (their whole athletics website has been revamped). Reaction is mixed. It doesn't exactly leap off the computer screen, but it is hard to say what's wrong with it. (UNBHockeyFans)
  
  
• Former V-Reds star Rob Hennigar is the newest member of the Carolina Hurricanes organization after being swapped on Monday. The player going to the New York Islanders in the deal, centre Bobby Hughes, is remembered by this scribe for once quitting the Kingston Frontenacs between the third period and overtime of an OHL playoff game. (Loose Pucks)
  
  
• Queen's seems to love their Albertans ... David Fitzpatrick, who captained the AJHL's Canmore Eagles last season, is another new name on the roster. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
  
  
• North Bay Nugget sportswriter Ken Pagan laced up the skates with some Nipissing Lakers hopefuls. Former European pro Marc Long might play for Nip U. (Sun Media)