PREVIEW: #2 men’s basketball gearing up second chance against #3 Queen’s, end regular season against #7 Ontario Tech

Photo: Emir Atli
Photo: Emir Atli
February 15, 2024

Friday, February 16

  • The Matchup: Ottawa Gee-Gees (18-2) vs. Queen's Gaels (17-3)
  • Location: Queen's ARC
  • Tip-off: 8 p.m.
  • Last Meeting: Ottawa 95, Queen's 96 – Jan. 5, 2024, at Montpetit Hall

OTTAWA GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
  • The Gee-Gees suffered a surprising loss to Toronto over the weekend, and will be looking to bounce back against noteworthy, nationally ranked opponents in their regular season finale weekend.
  • The matchup between the Gee-Gees is an intense one. With only a single point deciding their last meeting, the top two OUA East teams are jockeying for the number one spot heading into playoffs.
  • Khalifa Koulamallah is proving to be an importance piece of the Gee-Gees offence. Koulamallah has been confident from beyond the arc, and logged 22 points in the team's last game. 

QUEEN'S GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
    • Points (per game): Luka Syllas – 16.6 
    • Assists (per game): Luka Syllas – 5.0 
    • Rebounds (per game): Cole Syllas – 7.9 
  • The Gaels are on a nine-game winning streak following an upsetting loss to the Carleton Ravens in January. Since then, the team has put together wins by various margins but are heading into what is sure to be a challenging weekend as they take on the #1 Gee-Gees and the Ravens.
  • Queen's will be looking forward to finishing the season on home court. They have yet to be defeated in front of a home crowd this season.
  • In their last meeting with Ottawa, it was Cameron Bett who had a standout performance, coming off the bench and contributing a game-high 21 points.

Saturday, February 17

  • The Matchup: Ottawa Gee-Gees (18-2) vs. Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (16-4)
  • Location: CRWC
  • Tip-off: 6 p.m.
  • Last Meeting: Ottawa 75, Ontario Tech 65 – Jan. 6, 2023, at Montpetit Hall

ONTARIO TECH GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
    • Points (per game): Keon Baker – 18.9 
    • Assists (per game): Zubair Seyed – 3.1 
    • Rebounds (per game): Keon Baker – 5.3
  • Ontario Tech have earned their way into the U SPORTS rankings for the first time in program history. They currently sit third in the OUA East behind Ottawa and Queen's.
  • Undefeated on home court, the Ridgebacks will be looking to maintain that streak through the end of the regular season as they host the Ravens and the Gee-Gees.
  • In their loss to the Gee-Gees in January, the Ridgebacks were outscored 44-25 in the second half.