Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – After going back-to-back last season, the University of Victoria Vikes will once again enter as the favourites when the 2023-24 Canada West basketball season tips off on Thursday.
The Vikes received 14 first place votes in the preseason coaches poll, released Wednesday, and will be looking for a rare three-peat, something that hasn't been accomplished in CW men's basketball for over 38 years.
The Griffins were voted 17th in the poll ahead of their Canada West home opener vs. Mount Royal University on Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR FRIDAY HERE
Tickets for Saturday are free as part of MacEwan's Open House.
UBC placed second in the Canada West Coaches Poll and received two first place votes, while the two Manitoba based programs took third and fourth in the poll (Winnipeg third and Manitoba fourth). The Bisons also received a first place vote.
The top 12 teams will qualify for the post-season, which will be hosted as a tournament at the home of the Manitoba Bisons Feb. 21-25.
MEN'S BASKETBALL ON CANADA WEST TV
Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
2023-24 CW MBB PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- Victoria Vikes - 254 (14)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 232 (2)
- Winnipeg Wesmen - 213
- Manitoba Bisons - 211 (1)
- Alberta Golden Bears - 205
- Calgary Dinos - 190
- Trinity Western Spartans - 157
- Regina Cougars - 138
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 120
- Brandon Bobcats - 108
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 107
- Mount Royal Cougars - 102
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 90
- Lethbridge Pronghorns - 78
- UNBC Timberwolves - 47
- UBCO Heat - 44
- MacEwan Griffins - 16
NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-16. First-place votes worth 16 points, second-place worth 15 points, etc.
GRIFFINS' SEASON PREVIEW
Key Performer: Matthew Osunde
MacEwan's offence runs through the electric point guard, who not only led the team in points last season, he also topped the Griffins in minutes, assists, rebounds, steals, free throws and three-pointers, all while being an important defender, as well.
Now in his third Canada West season, Osunde is primed to be one of the best players in the conference as the Griffins aim to get back to the playoffs.