MBB: Golden Bears take top spot in preseason poll

Conference season tips off Thursday night

VANCOUVER - The Alberta Golden Bears look to be the team to beat heading into the 2021-22 Canada West regular season after receiving 14-of-16 first-place votes in the conference's annual preseason coaches poll.

The Golden Bears, who finished the 2019-20 regular season 19-1 and finished the campaign with a CW silver medal, received 254 points in the poll released Thursday.

The Saskatchewan Huskies slotted into second place with 232 total points and a first-place vote, while the Victoria Vikes picked up the remiaining first-place selection and were third in the poll with 217 points.

The defending CW champion UBC Thunderbirds were fourth in the poll with 212 points.

The road to the conference championships begins tonight, with the UBC Thunderbirds hosting the Trinity Western Spartans. On Friday, 14 more teams get their seasons underway with a full slate of conference action available live on Canada West TV Presented by Co-op. Season passes are available for purchase by clicking here.

For a complete look at all 17 CW men's teams, check out the season preview here.

2021-22 CW MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL

Team / Points (First-place votes)

  1. Alberta Golden Bears / 254 (14)
  2. Saskatchewan Huskies / 232 (1)
  3. Victoria Vikes / 217 (1)
  4. UBC Thunderbirds / 212
  5. Calgary Dinos / 202
  6. Regina Cougars / 184
  7. Manitoba Bisons / 146
  8. Trinity Western Spartans / 126
  9. Mount Royal Cougars / 125
  10. Winnipeg Wesmen / 114
  11. UBCO Heat / 97
  12. Lethbridge Pronghorns / 96
  13. Brandon Bobcats / 97
  14. Fraser Valley Cascades / 79
  15. Thompson Rivers WolfPack / 57
  16. UNBC Timberwolves / 45
  17. MacEwan Griffins / 39

NOTES: First-place votes worth 16 pts., second-place 15 pts. etc.

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About Canada West

Since 1972, Canada West (CW) has been a leader in Canadian university sport, working to provide our student-athletes the opportunities to excel in sport, the classroom, and their communities. CW and our 17 members from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba collectively carry on a legacy of competitive excellence, as our champions proudly go on to represent the conference at U SPORTS national championships.

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