OTTAWA (CIS) - The Concordia Stingers top the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men's basketball charts for the first time in recent memory.
Two days away from a highly-anticipated matchup with the Laval Rouge et Or in the Quebec conference final, the Stingers move up one spot to grab first place in the final national coaches poll of the 2006-‘07 season. Concordia had spent the last five weeks at No. 2 and has been ranked no lower than eighth in 15 polls this year.
With the No. 1 ranking, the Stingers, who have lost only once this season in 17 conference and playoff outings, position themselves well for the wildcard voting, should they be upset by Laval in the QSSF title game.
The recipient of the wildcard, the eighth and final ticket for the CIS Final 8 in Halifax March 16-18, will be announced Sunday morning, along with the seedings.
Behind Concordia, the four-time defending national champion Carleton Ravens and the UBC Thunderbirds also move up one position in the new rankings to second and third place, respectively.
The Thunderbirds also earned a berth in the CIS tournament over the weekend by reaching the Canada West final, where they handed the former No. 1 Brandon Bobcats their first defeat in 17 games. Brandon, ranked No. 1 the last five weeks, drops to No. 4 following the loss.
The Gees-Gees hang on to No. 5 despite their loss to Carleton, which should help them in the wildcard voting should Concordia capture the QSSF crown.
- 1. Concordia (2)
- 2. Carleton (3)
- 3. UBC (4)
- 4. Brandon (1)
- 5. Ottawa (5)
- 6. St. FX (7)
- 7. Cape Breton (8)
- 8. Windsor (10)
- T9. Victoria (6)
- T9. Acadia (9)
