The Carleton Ravens (24-0, ranked number one in the country) and the Lakehead Thunderwolves (19-5, ranked sixth in the country) were the top two teams in Ontario this season, so it’s fitting they’ll be meeting at tonight to decide the Wilson Cup in Hamilton, Ont.
Tonight’s game will feature two defence-first teams, with both divisions’ top coaches (Dave Smart and Scott Morrison) and defensive players (Cole Hobin and Greg Carter) working hard to ensure the opponent has no easy shots.
If the defences are similar, Carleton has the edge on offence. The Ravens cracked 90 points 12 times during the season and the Thunderwolves, only twice (against Laurier and Ryerson).
Carleton averages over 16 more points per game than Lakehead, is fifth in the country in three-point percentage compared to 20th, and shoots almost 15 per cent better from the foul line.
This game will probably resemble a grind-it-out affair similar to Carleton’s 75-49 home win Nov. 27, where each team brought the full-court pressure to start and really took a while to feel out the other team’s defensive scheme.
It was the lowest-scoring game of the year for both teams.
When Carter isn’t on the floor for the Thunderwolves, it lets Carleton’s bench take advantage of his absence, and at times in that November game Smart went with all three of his point guards (Phillip Scrubb, Willy Manigat and Mike Kenny) to try and open things up.
Scrubb (15 points) and Manigat (13 points) were second and third in that game’s scoring to Tyson Hinz, who was able to both score (18 points, eight-for-10 from the foul line) and draw in defences before distributing (five assists).
Carleton outrebounded Lakehead 45-25, holding their opponent to only three offensive rebounds, and had 14 assists in the game compared to four, all from Carter.
The shooting percentages show the defensive struggle that played out all game — 35 per cent for Carleton, 28.8 per cent for Lakehead.
Ben Johnson led the Thunderwolves with 11 points in that game.
It’s not putting Carleton out of its element to play great defensive basketball, but a few lapses on that end along with Lakehead making it difficult to score could frustrate the Ravens. The lack of home-floor advantage will whittle down that 26-point difference from the previous game, and it’s always dangerous going against a well-coached, nationals-seasoned team that’s hitting its peak.
At the same time, the Ravens are better in nearly every offensive category and if their rebounding dominance carries over, the difference in scoring chances could see the Ravens able to generate enough baskets and wear down the Thunderwolves.
The coaching prowess of Smart and Morrison means these two teams who have already clinched a berth in Halifax next week won’t give any quarter as they push for that OUA championship banner.
Also clinching a berth in nationals — UBC and Saskatchewan (Canada West Finalists) and Concordia (Quebec champions). The winners of Acadia/Cape Breton and St. FX vs. Dalhousie will qualify from the AUS, and the wildcard will likely go to Trinity Western unless CBU or St. FX loses.)
Andrew Foote is a fourth-year journalism student from the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. He co-hosts the sports update on the Charlatan Radio Show, Tuesdays at 11 a.m. on CKCU.