NCAA B-Ball squads flock to Canada

STEPHANIE HA, THE CHARLATAN (CARLETON UNIVERSITY)

OTTAWA (CUP) – Not even a high-security border could stop a clash between Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and NCAA basketball teams during the Labour Day weekend.

Across Canada, 65 CIS-NCAA exhibition matches were scheduled: 55 games on the men’s side and 10 on the women’s. Among the CIS teams participating in the exhibition event was the Carleton University Ravens men’s basketball squad, winners of five consecutive CIS national championships.

“It gets us focussed for the season a little earlier than normal,” said Raven assistant coach Rob Smart Jr..

The Ravens hosted their annual NCAA weekend Aug. 31 through Sept. 2, which featured three NCAA Division 1 teams: the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, the Villanova University Wildcats and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

The McGill University Redmen and the Queen’s University Golden Gaels also visited the Raven’s Nest to join the action.

“It gives you an opportunity to see where your team’s at in relation to American teams,” said Golden Gael head coach Rob Smart Sr..

“We can see where CIS basketball stands.”

The NCAA allows its basketball programs to go on an international trip every four years and gives teams 10 days of practice leading up to the trip.

While some NCAA squads opt to take the trip earlier in the summer, incoming freshmen are not permitted to participate until the school year has begun, which makes a Labour Day weekend trip to Canada attractive.

Last year the University of Florida Gators, 2006 NCAA champions, came to Canada to try honing their game against the Brock University Badgers.

“It’s an advantage to [NCAA basketball] because they get extra practice,” said Smart Sr.. “Otherwise, they can’t begin until October.”

“It’s a no-brainer for U.S. schools to come to Canada,” said Redmen head coach Craig Norman.

While the high-calibre matches benefit NCAA basketball, they also allow CIS squads to get a two-month head start on the season.

“You’re severely tested earlier in the season and it could be bad and hurt the psyche. But if you’re prepared, it’ll be beneficial,” said Norman.

Smart Jr. said while untimely injuries are possible, he does not expect players to burn out.

“We make sure our focus is about getting better. It’s about March, not September.”

With the hype and media coverage that surrounds NCAA action, the match-ups help promote CIS basketball to Canadian basketball fans. “People in Canada consider NCAA basketball better than the CIS, so it helps show how good our product is and how well we can compete,” said Norman.

Smart Sr. added that any publicity is good publicity.

In recent years, NCAA basketball has made a habit of playing exhibition matches against CIS teams. And according to Smart Sr., NCAA trips north of the border will continue as long as the rules remain the same.

“Unfortunately, one of the reasons they come is because the nature of the rules,” said Smart Sr.. “Canada becomes a practical place for them to come.”