OTTAWA – After securing the at-large berth into the U SPORTS national championship the University of Calgary Dinos Men's Basketball team will take on top-ranked and champion Carleton Ravens in Ottawa.

For the first time in history both the men's and women's championships will be held in the same location as both Dinos teams secured at large berths in the championships. The Dinos will take on the hometown favourite Ravens in a rematch of last year's national quarter-final game at 1 p.m. MT this Friday, March 6 at TD Place in Ottawa in the second of four quarter-final games.  

CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and the CBC Sports app will have exclusive live coverage of the entire event.

DINOS WILD
After coming up short against the UBC Thunderbirds in semifinal action two weeks ago at the Jack, the Dinos were awarded an at large berth following the AUS Championship. The Dinos' overall record and performance this season afforded them the opportunity to advance to the national final in the hopes of once again coming out on top for the first time since 2018. It's the fifth consecutive trip to the Final 8 for the Dinos, and their 13th overall in program history.

SEND A RAVEN
Coming out on top against the Ravens will be no easy feat for the Dinos as the team has yet to beat the team through their last four meetings. After falling short in last year's championship game and yet again this past fall in Victoria, the Dinos are hungry for a win and look to break through against the rock-solid Ravens. The Dinos will lean on both Brett Layton, who has led the team all season at both ends of the court with his record setting performance, and CW defensive player of the year Max Eisele to stifle the Ravens' energy.

QUOTABLE
Speaking to the team's first game this coming weekend in Ottawa Coach Vanhooren noted the importance of coming to play against the Ravens, winners of 14 of the past 17 national titles.

"We are excited to continue playing and as always are honoured to be back in the Final 8," said the 20-year head coach. "The Ravens are clear favourites in this tournament and are very strong on both sides of the ball. We will have to play our best basketball on Friday."


SCOUTING REPORT
vs. CARLETON RAVENS
2019-20 Record: 21-1 (1st in OUA East and OUA Champions)
Game info: Friday, March 6 at TD Place (1 p.m. MST, 3 p.m. Local)
 

• Head coach Taffe Charles is in his first season with the men's team, having previously led the women's squad, taking over coaching duties from long-time coach Dave Smart 
• The Ravens largest win this year came against York with a point margin of 85 points(129-44)
• The Ravens only loss this season came against crosstown rival UOttawa in the annual Capital Hoops game 
• The hometown team ranks atop the U SPORTS standings both offensively and defensively, posting an average of 97.8 pts and allowing only 63.5 
• Only four players from the Ravens current roster will complete their years of eligibility this season 

-UC-