MEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS NATIONALS AGAINST VANIER
| Game Info | Humber vs. Vanier |
| Date | Thursday, Mar. 14 |
| Time | 4 p.m. EST |
| Venue | Langley Events Centre |
| Watch Live | Click Here |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| CCAA Record | 44-23 |
| Playoff Series | First CCAA meeting |
| All-Time Series | Tied, 0-0 |
| Last Meeting | L, 97-87 (1/6/18) |
| Streak | L1 |
The Storyline
The Humber Hawks have qualified for the big dance for the 22nd time and are in pursuit of their CCAA-best seventh national title. Humber will open the quarter-final round Mar. 14 against Vanier with tipoff set for 4 p.m. EST.
Humber and Vanier will be meeting at nationals for the first time.
Scouting Vanier
- The Cheetahs wrapped up a perfect season, finishing 18-0 in the RSEQ conference, winning the provincial title with a close 73-71 win over Montmorency. Trailing by two with 0:17 seconds remaining, Nginyu Ngala hit a 3-pointer to give Vanier the lead.
- Vanier is led by RSEQ Player of the Year, Karim Mane, who finished the season averaging 15.4 PPG and 6.9 RPG.
- The Cheetahs are two-time national champions, winning titles in 1987 and 2011.
CCAA History
- The Hawks are 44-23 all-time at the CCAA national championship.
- Humber is 15-5 all-time in the quarter-final round and 9-6 all-time against the RSEQ conference.
- The last time Humber played at nationals hosted by Langara, the Hawks fell to Durham in the championship final in 1997, 66-55.
- The Hawks have qualified for nationals as a wildcard team nine times and is the only program in the OCAA to win a national title in that slot. In 2001, Humber lost to Sheridan in the provincial championship before getting revenge at home to win its fifth national championship. In 2015, the Hawks fell to Mohawk at provincials before beating VIU for the CCAA crown – on Mohawk's home court.
OCAA Provincials
After shooting a combined 50.8 per cent (102-for-201) from the floor through the first three rounds of the playoffs, Humber's offence was held in check by Sheridan in the provincial title game. The Hawks shot a season-low 31.0 per cent (22-for-71) from the floor, while only managing six offensive rebounds and fell to the Bruins, 86-70.
Jaylan Morgan and Kevin Otoo were named to the championship all-tournament team.
Ranked
The Hawks are 5-5 this season against nationally ranked programs this season.
Provincial Dominance
Led by Humber's six national titles, the OCAA owns 15 CCAA Championships - the most of any conference. The PACWEST sits in second with 12, followed by RSEQ (10), ACAA (5), and ACAC (2).
At the Helm
In his first season as Humber's bench boss, head coach Samson Downey has led the Hawks to a 21-3 (.875) record this year. Coach Downey has the chance to become the first Humber coach to win a national medal in their first season at the helm.
What's Next?
With a win in the quarter-final round, Humber will advance to the semifinal game and will play the winner of VIU/SAIT on Mar. 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST.
