Sports Round up and Rankings
As all four Bobcat squads are currently on a break from CIS play, a little bit of context around the league is in order by way of CIS rankings for each sport in which BU participates. Here are the current top 10 rankings reported on the official website, in men’s and women’s Canadian Interuniversity Sport Basketball and Volleyball as of Dec 31, 2009:
Women’s Basketball Dec. 1 - previous rankings () 1. Simon Fraser (1) 2. Windsor (2) 3. Regina (3) 4. Laval (5) 5. Saskatchewan (4) 6. Cape Breton (6) 7. Victoria (7) 8. Alberta (9) 9. Memorial (10) 10. UBC (8) 11. List item
As the Lady ‘Cats are currently at 1-9-0 for the season and sitting at the bottom of the Prairie Conference (Canada West) standings, it would seem as though 2009 will close as another disappointing year on the scoreboards. However, with a more competitive team than in recent years, the Bobcats were able to record their first W in a while. They are not tapped out just yet when it comes to catching their next closest competitor--University of Manitoba which sits with only 3 in their respective win column.
Men’s Basketball Dec 1 - Based on a coaches poll previous rankings () 1. UBC (2) 2. Carleton (1) 3. St. Francis Xavier (7) 4. Calgary (4) 5. Cape Breton (8) 6. McMaster (3) 7. Windsor (9) 8. Toronto (6) 9. Dalhousie (5) 10. Lakehead (NC)
At the halfway mark, despite not cracking the top 10 in CIS play, the Bobcats find themselves in a familliar position (despite the rename of the Great Plains Division) in the Great Plains Prairie conference--just back of Calgary and Alberta. While their 5-5 record may not appear encouraging, the fact that they hit the break with a 4 game streak attests to the power that this team is expected to play with in their second half.
Women’s Volleyball Dec 1 - previous ranking () 1. UBC (1) 2. Montreal (2) 3. Manitoba (3) 4. Regina (4) 5. Alberta (5) 6. Trinity Western (T6) 7. Brandon (T6) 8. Laval (8) T9. Calgary (9) T9. McGill (10)
On the volleyball court, Brandon finished in spot number 7 to finish off 2009. Canada West will be difficult to conquer for these ladies, as 4 powerhouse conference-mates have outranked them on this list--including yet undefeated UBC. However, a 3 game streak shows promise for what might be considered an underdog team in CIS play. They sit 6 points back of conference leader Alberta as they ring in 2010.
Men’s Volleyball Dec 1 - previous ranking () 1. Laval (3) 2. Calgary (1) 3. McMaster (4) 4. Alberta (2) 5. Dalhousie (5) 6. Trinity Western (7) 7. Manitoba (6) 8. Brandon (8) 9. Winnipeg (9) 10. Western Ontario (10)
Despite reported problems originating off the court, the Bobcats men’s volleyball club also boasts a 2 game streak at the half-way marker. Their version of the Canada West conference sits even tighter than that of their Lady ‘Cats counterparts, with the top six teams all sitting within 4 points. They’ll have to keep up their winning ways to break away from the pack and have a showing like last year’s bronze medal--or better!
The New Year marks all four Bobcat teams look to reach their goals. Catch them in term 2 at the gym as they try to heat it up on the courts and represent BU on the national stage.
