Edmonton, Alta. – Returning to the national stage, the University of Victoria men's basketball team readies for the U SPORTS Men's Final 8 presented by Westin Edmonton, set for April 1-3 and hosted by the University of Alberta.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Dates: Friday, April 1 – Sunday, April 3
Location: Competition Gym – Saville Community Sports Centre
Time: 8 p.m. MT
Watch:
CBC Sports
Tournament Information:
U SPORTS Championship Central
NEWS & NOTES
- Coming off the program's 16th Canada West Championship title, the Vikes are making their first appearance at the U SPORTS Final 8 tournament since the 2014-15 season.
- UVic holds an overall record of 20-1 this season, compiling a 17-1 mark in league play and 3-0 record in playoffs en route to the Canada West title, earning the No. 2 seed in the tournament. The Vikes will face the seventh-seeded Carleton Ravens in the quarterfinals, who are 15-1 on the season.
- The Vikes will face stiff competition in the Ravens, who enter the tournament as the two-time defending U SPORTS champions and winners of nine of the last 10 national championships.
- Through 21 games this season, Canada West Second Team All-Star Diego Maffia leads the Vikes' scoring efforts with 17.2 points per game. Scott Kellum, a Canada West First Team All-Star selection, is closely behind, averaging 16.2 points per game.
- On the boards, Dominick Oliveri leads the Vikes with 9.4 rebounds per game. Oliveri also has a team-leading six double-doubles on the season.
- Canada West Rookie of the Year Elias Ralph is averaging 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds over 19.2 minutes of play per game this season.
- As a team, the Vikes enter the tournament with the second-best offence in the nation, averaging 92.3 points per game. OUA Champion and No. 1 seed Brock leads the category with 93.1 points per game.
- Last at the national tournament in 2015, the Vikes finished fourth overall. Defeating Dalhousie, 57-56 in the quarterfinals, the Vikes fell to Carleton, 83-74 in the semifinals to claim a spot in the bronze medal game. Victoria ultimately fell to then-hosts Ryerson, 82-68, in the bronze medal game.
- The Vikes and Ravens last squared off in the U SPORTS Final 8 semifinals, March 14, 2015. Carleton came away with the win, 83-74.
UP NEXT
The Vikes' next opponent and game time will be determined by the result of their matchup with Carleton.
