Rod Shoveller Memorial Men's Basketball Tournament Preview

Strong field includes #1-ranked Ravens and #3-ranked X-Men

(HALIFAX, NS) - The 18th annual Rod Shoveller Memorial Men's Basketball Tournament is set to take place at Dalplex beginning on Friday, January 2, 2009 at 1pm. The Tigers will welcome three AUS teams and a pair of OUA and QSSF squads to their home court to vie for the tournament title.

This year's field is exceptionally strong, highlighted by the nationally first-ranked Carleton Ravens who are making their first appearance at the tournament. Also of note are the CIS #3 StFX X-Men, who have won the tournament in all but one of their last six appearances, including the last three events.

The Dalhousie Tigers are currently third in the AUS standings and have shown great promise this season, appearing in all five of the 2008-09 CIS Top Ten selections so far this season. Both the Acadia Axemen and Saint Mary's Huskies who are tied for third in the AUS conference will also be counted on to provide fans with high energy basketball; the first round of the tournament will be the first time Carleton has seen Acadia since last year's CIS Final 8 tournament where the Axemen spoiled the Ravens shot at a 6th consecutive CIS banner with the double OT win in the semifinal.

Traditionally a fan favourite men's basketball event, pre-event ticket sales for the tournament have been solid. Coach John Campbell stated, "I think that many Halifax basketball fans have come to enjoy the Shoveller tournament as part of their holiday traditions. It is a great way for the teams to get the second half of the season started and a good opportunity for fans to get to see how the AUS teams match up against some of the best out-of-conference teams. Ticket sales are up this year and we are expecting quite a crowd at Dalplex to kick off the new year."

Tournament passes can be purchased over the phone (902-494-3372) or in person at Dalplex for $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors (55+).

Tournament Schedule:
Fri., Jan. 2
Game 1 - Saint Mary's (H) vs. Laval, 1pm
Game 2 - StFX (H) vs. Lakehead, 3pm
Game 3 - Acadia (H) vs. Carleton, 6pm
Game 4 - Dalhousie (H) vs. Bishop's, 8pm

Sat., Jan. 3
Game 5 - Loser Game 1(H) vs. Loser Game 2, 1pm
Game 6 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (H), 3pm
Game 7 - Winner Game 1(H) vs. Winner Game 2, 6pm
Game 8 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4(H), 8pm

Sun., Jan. 4
Game 9 - Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (H), 9am
Game 10 - Winner Game 5 (H) vs. Winner Game 6, 11am
Game 11 - Bronze Medal Game, Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 (H), 1pm
Game 12 - Championship Game, Winner Game 7(H) vs. Winner Game 8, 3pm

Acadia University, AUS (tied for 4th place in conference)
Coach: Steve Baur
4-8 versus CIS competition, 3-3 in league play
CIS Ranking: N/R
Player to watch:
Alex Traikov (Mississauga, ON) 17.8 ppg - 31st in CIS scoring

Dalhousie University, AUS (3rd place in conference)
11-3 in CIS competition, 4-2 in league play
CIS Ranking: 9
Players to watch:
Simon Farine (Toronto, ON) 19.5 ppg - 16th in CIS scoring
Josh Beattie (Bedford, NS) 19 ppg - 17th in CIS scoring

Saint Mary's University, AUS (tied for 4th place in conference)
Coach: Ross Quackenbush
5-6 versus CIS competition, 3-2 in league play
CIS Ranking: N/R
Player to watch:
Mark McLaughlin (Dartmouth, NS) 20 ppg - 11th in CIS scoring

StFX University, AUS (1st place in conference)
Coach: Steve Konchalski
12-2 versus CIS competition, 6-0 in league play
CIS Ranking: 3
Players to watch:
Tyler Richards (Halifax, NS) 18.6 ppg -23rd in CIS
Christian Upshaw (Halifax, NS) 17.3 ppg -35th in CIS

Carleton University, OUA East (1st place in conference)
Coach: Dave Smart
13-1 versus CIS competition, 7-1 in league play
CIS Ranking: 1
Player to watch:
Aaron Doornekamp (Odessa, ON) Mike Moser winner, senior men's national team player - 16 ppg

Lakehead University, OUA West (tied for 6th in conference)
Coach: Scott Morrison
4-8 versus CIS competition, 3-5 in league play
CIS Ranking: N/R
Players to watch:
Kiraan Posey (Baltimore, MD) 19.75 ppg - 13th in CIS
Yoosrie Sahlia (Toronto, ON) 12.88 rpg - 1st in CIS

Bishop's University, QSSF (5th place in conference)
Coach: Rod Gilpin
5-9 in CIS competition, 3-3 in league play
CIS Ranking: N/R
Player to watch:
Junior Nicholas (Montreal, QC) 15 ppg - 6th in QSSF

Université Laval, QSSF (1st place in conference)
Coach: Jacques Paiement
5-8 in CIS competition, 3-2 league play
Player to watch:
JF Beaulieu-Maheux (Chicoutimi, QC) 19 ppg -17th in CIS
CIS Ranking: N/R

Previous Tournament Champions:
2007-08: StFX University
2006-07: StFX University
2005-06: StFX University
2004-05: Concordia University
2003-04: StFX University
2002-03: Saint Mary's University
2001-02: Dalhousie University
2000-01: StFX University
1999-00: StFX University
1998-99: Concordia University
1997-98: Concordia University
1996-97: Brandon University
1995-96: Dalhousie University
1994-95: Dalhousie University
1993-94: Nova Scotia All-Stars
1992-93: Saint Mary's University
1991-92: Saint Mary's University

Story courtesy of Krista Hynes, Dalhousie Sports Information