BobCat Round up

As the latter half of the 2009-2010 athletic season roars to life for the 4 Bobcat teams, the outcome of each upcoming game will decide their fate in post-season play. In CIS athletics, January is a key month that determines life or death in February. Here is how each team sits at the moment:

Men’s Basketball

CIS’s top ten rankings list still eludes capture by the Bobcats’ men’s basketball team following their split with Lethbridge over the weekend. Although the Pronghorns squad sits slightly higher than them in a tough Canada West Prairie Division, Brandon will need all hands on deck if they look to improve their record in their remaining 6 games of regular season play. Their true test will come to the B.U. gymnasium February 5th and 6th as they face the 5th place (CIS rankings) University of Calgary Dinos—who carry an intimidating 10-3 record.

Women’s Basketball

The Lady ‘Cats are a slightly different story—their eyes aren’t yet fixed on a top spot in CIS play. Their current aims are set at keeping in the win column. They will face their division’s two toughest opponents in U of Regina and U of Alberta on the road in the coming weeks. Those games will not be easily fought, but their final home games in February versus University of Calgary’s Dinos should prove closer competition, especially as the Dinos are on a downward spiral with their current losing streak of four games.   

Men’s Volleyball

Speaking of streaks, the men’s Bobcats Volleyball team is the proud owner of a 4 match winning one. The 2008-2009 Canada West silver medallists and CIS bronze medallists are on the hunt for higher rankings with 8 games remaining in the regular season. They have a hold on 7th as per CIS top ten rankings this week, and in the coming games they will face the two strongest teams in their division—Calgary (2nd CIS) and Alberta (4th CIS). These games will certainly determine life or death in the post season for the ‘Cats, and will provide fans with a great preview of the high level of competition that will be seen in this year’s playoffs.

Women’s Volleyball

Directly following a pair of losses to #1 ranked UBC thunderbirds, the lady Bobcats will have to dust themselves off and find a way to beat their upcoming opponents. The Bobcats sit at number 9 at the moment, and their next faceoff will be against the unranked Thompson Rivers squad. Following these games, they face #4, #8, and #6—Alberta, Calgary, Regina in what are sure to be high-stakes and high-intensity matchups.

Although squad looks from a different perspective in their measure of success, one common element for each team is their hunger for the next win. With few games left on the regular season schedule, every game is important and emotions will run high.