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Canada basketball

Cis Team's to Watch

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Sep 20, 2016

Classes are back in session at university across the country, which means we're mere weeks away from the CIS basketball season, when action tips off in the AUS, Canada West, OUA and RSEQ conferences. Here's a look at four men's and four women's team to watch on the road to the 2017 Final 8 national championship tournaments in Halifax and Victoria next March.

MEN'S

CALGARY DINOS

The Dinos reached the national championship final for the first time in 50 years last March, falling short to Carleton but coming away with just their second ever Canadian CIS silver medal. The majority of Calgary's 2015-16 Canada West champion lineup is eligible to return, led by its CIS First-Team All-Star guard Thomas Cooper. En route to winning Canada West Player of the Year, Cooper averaged 25.8 points (second in the CIS) and 7.5 rebounds. Veteran coach Dan Vanhooren is back for his 18th season heading up the Dinos.

CARLETON RAVENS

Carleton looks to continue its remarkable run of dominance in 2016-17, when the Ravens go for a seventh CIS title in a row, which would match the Victoria Vikings from 1980 to 1986 for most consecutive championships in the history of Canadian men's university hoops. Legendary coach Dave Smart, who has guided the Ravens to 11 national titles, is back in charge following a one-year sabbatical during which he served as an assistant coach with Basketball Canada's Senior Men's National Team. After filling in as head coach last season, Rob Smart returns to his previous role as assistant.

DALHOUSIE TIGERS

Last season was a historic one for Dalhousie men's hoops, as the Tigers advanced further into the post-season than ever before, winning a second consecutive AUS championship and then reaching the CIS semi-final. After winning the AUS Coach of the Year award, Rick Plato was given a five-your contract extension and enters his fourth season with Dalhousie's top performers all eligible to return. Among the notable players are AUS All-Stars Ritchie Kanza Mata and  Kashrell Lawrence, along with Jordan Aquino-Serjue, who was named 2015-16 AUS Rookie of the Year and selected to the CIS All-Rookie Team.

MCGILL REDMEN

The Redmen come into the 2016-17 season with their sights set on winning back-to-back conference titles for only the second time in McGill men's basketball history. Under the stewardship of three-time RSEQ Coach of the Year Dave DeAveiro, who also serves as head of Basketball Canada's Cadet Men's National Team, the Redmen reached the 2016 CIS Final 8 tournament, where they nearly upset eventual finalist Calgary in the quarterfinals. McGill's top returnee is fourth-year guard Dele Ogundokun, who has been named RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons.

WOMEN'S

MCGILL MARTLETS

The Martlets have won five straight RSEQ women's hoops titles and finished top five at Nationals in each of the last four seasons, including a silver medal showing in 2015, though their fourth-place finish at the 2016 CIS Final 8 was disappointing, given they entered the tournament seeded No. 1.  Now reigning CIS Coach of the Year Ryan Thorne and the Martlets regroup and are poised to be contenders for years to come: McGill's roster includes nary a senior and two of the last three RSEQ Rookie of the Year winners in  Gladys Hakizimana (2016) and Jennifer Silver (2014).

RYERSON RAMS

Under the guidance of coach Carly Clarke â?? who had a busy summer, leading Canada Basketball's Junior Women's National Team to a second place finish at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship â?? the Rams have reached new heights. In 2014-15, Ryerson won silver and advanced to CIS Final 8 â?? both firsts for the program â?? and followed up that last season by winning its first OUA championship and reaching the CIS final. If Ryerson is to make the next step, it will be with a younger roster, as a number of players have graduated, most notably 2015-16 CIS MVP Keneca Pingue-Giles.

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES

With former CIS Coach of the Year coach Scott Munro pulling the reins, the Huskies have captured medals at three of the last four Canadian Championships. In 2015-16, St. Mary's cruised to the AUS title, losing just once combined in the regular season and playoffs, before winning bronze at CIS Final 8 by defeating McGill. This season all eyes will be on third-year guard Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse, who has quickly emerged as one of the country's best players, having been named 2014-15 AUS Rookie of the Year and winning the CIS Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES

After spending her summer coaching Canada Basketball's Womenâ??s National Team at the Rio Olympics, Lisa Thomaidis will look to lead the Huskies back to the CIS Championship. Saskatchewan won its first ever Bronze Baby last year, but lost a number of players to graduation, including National Team athlete Laura Dally and CIS Final 8 MVP Dalyce Emmerson. In their place step recruits Lobby Epoch and Summer Masikewich, who both were members of Canadaâ??s silver-medal winning team at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.