PREVIEW: #1 Gee-Gees to close 2023 with clash against #10 Ravens in Bytown Battle

Photo: Greg Kolz
Photo: Greg Kolz
December 5, 2023

Wednesday, December 6

  • The Matchup: #1 Ottawa Gee-Gees (9-0) vs #10 Carleton Ravens (5-4)
  • Location: Montpetit Hall
  • Tip-off: 8 p.m.
  • Last Meeting: Ottawa 75, Carleton 81 – March 2023, U SPORTS Semifinals

The Gee-Gees haven't seen the Ravens since the 2023 U SPORTS Championship tournament when the Ravens defeated the Gee-Gees to advance to the gold medal game, and eventually be crowned the national champions.

Since then, a lot has changed amongst the rival teams. Ottawa is currently undefeated in both regular and preseason play, donning an impressive 14-0 record overall. Carleton has a 5-4 record, still looking to find a rhythm in the 2023-24 season.

OTTAWA GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
  • Ottawa has been the team to beat throughout the opening half of the U SPORTS basketball season, still undefeated, the Gee-Gees are looking to take down their crosstown rivals in front of a home crowd to end the 2023 half of the regular season.
  • The team ranks third in the OUA with 84.3 points per game. Brock Newton, Justin Njock-Tadjore, Kevin Otoo and Jacques-Mélaine Guemeta lead the Gee-Gees in scoring, but their scoring abilities go deep into the bench.
  • Ottawa has pulled away in all their games, despite various close encounters or deficits. Their closest final score was a seven-point win over the Western Mustangs.  

CARLETON GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
    • Points (per game): Xavier Spencer – 14.0  
    • Assists (per game): Xavier Spencer – 3.4  
    • Rebounds (per game): Noah Horobetz Simpson – 9.4
  • The Ravens are currently on a two-game losing streak, falling to McMaster and York last weekend. Before that, Carleton had pieced together four consecutive wins, starting with a 69-63 win over Brock.
  • First year guard, Xavier Spencer, has been key for the Ravens on both sides of the ball as he leads the team in points, assists, and steals.