Two key games in OUA basketball Friday night. The first, in Windsor, where the Lancers beat the Carleton Ravens 80-68. Twelve points against the Ravens could, I suppose, be called a blowout. Word I'm receiving is that the Lancers were just more athletic. Not taller, maybe not even smarter in a basketball sense. But more athletic; out-leaping the Ravens for rebounds, using their speed and agility to score.
From an e-mail I received:
"Windsor showed their athleticism tonight....out rebounding the taller
Ravens...and beating them to the basket. If if wasn't for the Ravens shooting
the lights out in the first quarter....this game would have been a 20 point
blowout."
Also, it's been noted to me by those in attendance, and now by Mary Caton in the Windsor Star, that the Lancers may found a top-notch point guard in John Woldu. Lancers sweep Carleton, Caton writes.
"He gets better every day," [Windsor all-Canadian centre Greg] Surmacz said of the wirey Woldu. "Last year
we had a big, strong, physical team but this year we have athleticism
right from the point guard to the centre. We're a tough team to match
up against."
The Lancers are on top of their game, according to Bob Duff of the Windsor Star.
NOTE TO LANCERS FOOTBALL: See what happens when you have a successful program? The Star sends TWO reporters to the game.
That "other team" from Ottawa, the No. 9 Gee-Gees, had it handed to them by the Western Mustangs, that "other team" in the West Division. Western won 73-53 in London.
Surprisingly, I can't find anything in the London Free Press regarding the game. I'm guessing with the Yates Cup being played Saturday, staffing and space was an issue. So, courtesy of Western SID Andy Watson (one of the best in the OUA) here's a recap of the game from the school's website.
If you don't feel like reading all of it, here's all you need to know: The Big Three got the win for Western.
Brad Smith (Innisfill, Ont.) came off the bench and led Western with 19
points. Colin LaForme (Hamilton, Ont.) had 11 rebounds and six points,
while Keenan Jeppesen (Stoney Creek, Ont.) had 16 points in the win.
So, with those two games in the books, I'm wondering if by the end of the season we see a shift in power, from the East to the West. From Carleton and Ottawa to Windsor and Western. No one can deny a message was certainly sent, whether Windsor and Western meant to send one.
That said, Dave Smart is the best coach in Canada, so I'd fully expect his team to peak at just the right time, as always. But, if Carleton loses tonight in London and Ottawa does the same in Windsor, the shift may have started and it may be tough to stop.
And finally, an impression from the man that really matters, Dave Smart. Here's his quick take on the game. He sent it to me via email:
Windsor is very good. Surmacz is as good as it gets in the country. The score was not indicative of the game — they should have won by much more. They are a much better team than we are at this stage.
There you have it. Smart all but calling Windsor the best team in Canada.
