ACAA Basketball Championship Women's Preview
Mount Allison University Mounties (16-2)
The Mounties have one last hill to climb in the ACAA regular season - surging to a 16-2 regular season record and climbing to the top of the CCAA National rankings. But it didn't start as smoothly as it may sound. MTA lost two of their first four games, losing to Holland 94-70 and MSVU 85-81. Since then, they've won every game, putting them in the midst of a 14-game winning streak.
Mounties' head coach Ryan Chase has gotten the most out of the MTA defence - only allowing 55.2 points per game, making them the toughest team to score against. Their ability to close out has limited teams to shoot just 31.5% against them. The Mounties also make use of their rebounding ability on the other side of the floor, grabbing the most offensive boards in the ACAA at 14.3
Abby Miller will be key if the Mounties want to maintain the success they've had. Miller averages a near double-double with 13.4 PPG and 7.9 RPG, including 57 total offensive rebounds.
The Mounties will have to wait to find out who their first matchup will be, as they've earned a first-round bye. They'll take on the lowest advancing seed on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
Holland College Hurricanes (14-4)
Holland's impressive record shows how well they match up with any team in the ACAA. With their only losses coming to the Mystics and the CCAA's top ranked Mounties, the Hurricanes have swept their season series with every other team. They've also proven to give the Mounties struggles, as they beat them by 24 at the start of the season. Both of their losses to MTA were only in the single digits.
The Hurricanes are led by head coach Chris Connolly, who has proven to lead a strong offense. His team averages 83 PPG, second highest in the league. The Hurricanes have the highest shooting percentage at 43% and make nine 3's a game, making them dangerous from any part of the court. Like the Mounties, the Hurricanes swarm their defenders and limit them to just making 33% of their shots.
Lisa Bolander leads all Hurricanes in scoring at 21 PPG while making nearly four 3's a game at a 40% rate. Karla Benitez sits right behind Bolander at 16 PPG while dishing out 4.3 assists per game.
The Hurricanes take on the quarterfinals' highest advancing team on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics (13-5)
The defending champion Mystics find themselves just outside the first-round bye bubble, finishing just a win behind the Hurricanes. Yet, they've proven to be able to get the best of any ACAA team, beating everyone at least once, including an 85-81 win over MTA.
Mark Forward sits at the helm for MSVU, leading them to the highest scoring offence in the ACAA at 85.6 PPG. The Mystics aren't afraid of the trey ball, shooting the most 3's in the league. They make nine per game on an average of 30 attempts. But MSVU can drive to the rim as well, getting to the free-throw line at the highest rate as well.
Emily Holt leads MSVU in scoring at 17 PPG - her all-around game has been vital to MSVU's success. Holt stuffs the box score each game with nine RPG, 2.5 SPG and 4.1 APG.
MSVU will tip-off the tournament in a meeting with the Chargers at 11:00 AM on Friday.
St. Thomas University Tommies (11-7)
The host Tommies come in with a chip on their shoulder - narrowly missing out on a trip to the 2022 CCAA Nationals after the Mystics defeated them in the ACAA finals. The Tommies' ended their 2023 regular season on a rough note with back-to-back losses to the Hurricanes and Mounties. Of their seven losses, six have come to the top-2 in the ACAA - the other to MSVU.
Fred Connors has had plenty of playoff experience as he looks to lead the Tommies over the hump. His team defends hard and limits opponents to 57 points a match. Only MTA has bettered STU in that category. They're able to create plenty of fast-break chances, swiping 13 SPG.
Vanessa Soffee, reigning Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, is a huge part of the Tommies defensive success. She's racked up 54 steals this season while scoring at a 11.6 PPG pace.
The Tommies take on the Blue Devils on Friday in their quarterfinal match. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
University of King's College Blue Devils (5-13)
The Blue Devils come in in attempt the recent funk they've been in - entering the ACAA championships on a five-game losing skid. Despite this, UKC has taken care of business when needed, sweeping their season series with the UNBSJ Seawolves and taking two of three games from the Chargers.
Blue Devils' head coach Marika Williams and her team will use their ability to get to the free-throw line in their attempt to upset the host STU Tommies in their quarterfinal matchup. UKC shot 21 free-throws per game, the third highest in the ACAA.
Jenna Bain will be expected to lead UKC in their playoff run. She plays nearly 30 minutes per match and scores at a 13 PPG pace while grabbing seven rebounds and two steals.
UKC tips-off with the Tommies on Friday at 1:00 PM.
Crandall University Chargers (4-14)
The Chargers come in as the sixth-seed, hoping to shock the ACAA fans. They've come close multiple times, losing to Holland by only four in November and by three to MTA in February.
Jillian Smith and Allie Berry share the head coaching role for the Chargers. Their team plays a strong perimeter game, making six 3's a game while limiting opponents to 28% from beyond-the-arc.
Alexa Rancourt's performance will be vital if the Chargers want to pull off the upset. Rancourt puts up 15.2 PPG and makes over half of her shots - making 6.5-12 on average. She's also a bully on the boards, grabbing an insane 14.4 boards a game, the highest in the ACAA.
Crandall tips-off the tournament in a quarterfinal matchup with the Mystics at 11:00 AM on Friday.