VICTORIA - There will be no Canada West playoffs for the UVic Vikes men's basketball team this season. The Lethbridge Pronghorns were voted in as the wildcard selection.

One wildcard berth was available for the Canada West playoffs and was decided between the fourth seed from the Pacific, UVic Vikes, and the fifth seed from the Prairie, Lethbridge Pronghorns.

The two teams were compared against eight wildcard criteria. In this case, both the Vikes and 'Horns were tied and the post-season berth had to be decided on a coaches' vote amongst non-playoff teams.

Lethbridge won the vote, and in doing so will face he Calgary Dinos in a first round playoff series. The opening round of the playoffs runs February 26-28.

The Vikes will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03 and finish the 2009-10 season with an overall record of 10-11.

Men's Basketball Wild Card Criteria & Application
d) Selection Process for Wild Card Team

1. Final overall winning percentage using CW league games only.
2. Head to head vs. the other wild card considered team using CW league games only
3. Record vs. teams with a winning % of .800 or above using CW league games only.
4. Record vs. teams with a winning % of .650 or above using CW league games only.
5. Record vs. teams with a winning % of .500 or above using CW league games only.
6. Record vs. teams with a winning % < .500 using CW league games only.
7. Record vs. Canada West playoff teams using CW league games only.
8. CIS Top Ten ranking from the final week prior to the wildcard selection.

e) Procedures:

1. Each of the eight criteria above will receive equal weighting.
2. Both teams under consideration are ranked numerically (1, 2) in comparison to each other for each of the criteria. If teams are tied they receive the same ranking value.
3. All games will be considered in criteria 3, 4 and 5. For example a win or loss against a .800 team will count in each category. If a team under consideration has not played against a team with a .800 or .650 winning % and another team under consideration has, these criteria will be used.
4. The tie-breaking procedures for the Wildcard Process will be a vote by the coaches not participating in the playoffs.