February 21, 2007
OUA MEN'S BASKETBALL EAST DIVISION FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PREVIEW
HAMILTON, Ont. - A quick look at the 2007 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men's basketball East Division first round playoff match-ups.
Toronto vs Laurentian - #3 East vs #6 East
The Laurentian Voyagers (6-16) are set to travel down to Toronto to take on the Varsity Blues (15-7) in the opening round of the OUA men's basketball East Division playoffs. The two game regular season series saw Toronto take the two wins from the Voyagers by an average of 16 points each game. The Varsity Blues are playing well of late, coming into the playoffs on a four game winning streak, and taking the win in 11 of their last 12 games. Toronto will look to fifth year forward Mike Williams (Brampton, Ontario) and Ben Katz (Toronto, Ontario) to lead the Varsity Blues to victory. Katz finished tops in team scoring with a per game points average of 13.1, with Williams right behind scoring an average of 12.7. The Blues are a strong defensive team, and shoot very well from beyond the arc, meaning the Voyageurs will need to capitalize on their scoring chances. Laurentian will be led by fifth year forward Brodie Bishop (Prince Rupert, British Columbia) who finished with a team high 12.7 points per game average. Third year forward Jason Brown (Saginaw, Michigan) will also be looked upon as an offensive threat for the Voyagers as they look for the upset win tonight in Toronto.
York vs Queen's - #4 East vs #5 East
The York Lions (15-7) and Queen's Golden Gaels (12-10) are set to go head to head tonight to start their 2007 men's basketball playoff campaign. The Lions finished their regular season with a home and home series sweep of the Laurentian Voyagers last week, while the Golden Gaels finished their season with two wins against the RMC Paladins. The Lions and Golden Gaels split their home and home regular season series this year. Queen's took the first win in a 73-66 decision, while the Lions countered with an 84-77 win in the next match-up. Both teams have seen their share of highlight games this year as the Lions upset four-time defending CIS National Champion Carleton Ravens, while the Golden Gaels upset the Ottawa Gee-Gees 65-64 on January 19. At the end of the regular season the Lions boast the OUA's highest scoring offence, averaging 77.4 points per game. York will rely on captain Dan Eves (Barrie, Ontario) who is averaging 19.9 points per game, and Tut Ruach (Toronto, Ontario) with 12.2. Queen's will respond with Michel Leger who leads his team in points with 311 on the season as well as rebounds with 135. Queen's is the top free-throw shooting team in the OUA entering the playoffs, averaging 46.6 percent per game.
24 teams, 4 CIS berths, 2 OUA champions - the OUA basketball playoffs, presented by Investors Group.
- OUA -
Toronto vs Laurentian - #3 East vs #6 East
The Laurentian Voyagers (6-16) are set to travel down to Toronto to take on the Varsity Blues (15-7) in the opening round of the OUA men's basketball East Division playoffs. The two game regular season series saw Toronto take the two wins from the Voyagers by an average of 16 points each game. The Varsity Blues are playing well of late, coming into the playoffs on a four game winning streak, and taking the win in 11 of their last 12 games. Toronto will look to fifth year forward Mike Williams (Brampton, Ontario) and Ben Katz (Toronto, Ontario) to lead the Varsity Blues to victory. Katz finished tops in team scoring with a per game points average of 13.1, with Williams right behind scoring an average of 12.7. The Blues are a strong defensive team, and shoot very well from beyond the arc, meaning the Voyageurs will need to capitalize on their scoring chances. Laurentian will be led by fifth year forward Brodie Bishop (Prince Rupert, British Columbia) who finished with a team high 12.7 points per game average. Third year forward Jason Brown (Saginaw, Michigan) will also be looked upon as an offensive threat for the Voyagers as they look for the upset win tonight in Toronto.
York vs Queen's - #4 East vs #5 East
The York Lions (15-7) and Queen's Golden Gaels (12-10) are set to go head to head tonight to start their 2007 men's basketball playoff campaign. The Lions finished their regular season with a home and home series sweep of the Laurentian Voyagers last week, while the Golden Gaels finished their season with two wins against the RMC Paladins. The Lions and Golden Gaels split their home and home regular season series this year. Queen's took the first win in a 73-66 decision, while the Lions countered with an 84-77 win in the next match-up. Both teams have seen their share of highlight games this year as the Lions upset four-time defending CIS National Champion Carleton Ravens, while the Golden Gaels upset the Ottawa Gee-Gees 65-64 on January 19. At the end of the regular season the Lions boast the OUA's highest scoring offence, averaging 77.4 points per game. York will rely on captain Dan Eves (Barrie, Ontario) who is averaging 19.9 points per game, and Tut Ruach (Toronto, Ontario) with 12.2. Queen's will respond with Michel Leger who leads his team in points with 311 on the season as well as rebounds with 135. Queen's is the top free-throw shooting team in the OUA entering the playoffs, averaging 46.6 percent per game.
24 teams, 4 CIS berths, 2 OUA champions - the OUA basketball playoffs, presented by Investors Group.
- OUA -
