Men’s basketball
Record: 6-2 (tied for first in Pioneer Division with 12 points)
Record in last six games: 5-1
Team leader in scoring: AJ Basi – (19.4 PPG)
Analysis: Heading into the holiday break, this team deserves to be included in the CIS Top 10 conversation. They battled tough against two of the top teams in the country in Saskatchewan and Calgary and dominated some lower rung teams in Alberta and Brandon. Two straight matchups against B.C. teams to start the second half of the year could very well decide where the herd finish in the standings, as UBC and Victoria both have at least 10 points.
Women’s basketball
Record: 0-8 (last in Pioneer Division)
Record in last six games: 0-6
Team leader in scoring: Nicole Konieczny – (9.4 PPG)
Analysis: This team is among the youngest in the conference, and is still going through a developmental process. They have been competitive at times this year, but haven’t been able to mount a full four quarters of basketball all season. It’s going to take some time before this squad is even considered a playoff contender, but once the roster matures in two to three years time, they could be dangerous – but it’s simply not going to happen in 2015-16.
Men’s Volleyball
Record: 10-2 (tied for first in conference)
Record in last 6 games: 4-2
Team leader in kills per set: Devren Dear – 3.94 K/set (142 kills in 36 sets played)
Analysis: The Bison men’s volleyball team is putting in a stellar performance this year, their only blip being a pair of losses to conference-best Alberta in mid-November. The herd should stampede into the playoffs this year and will most likely finish in one of the top two positions in the conference. A conference championship showdown against Alberta seems inevitable, as the two will likely meet again there.
Women’s Volleyball
Record: 2-10 (second last in conference)
Record in last 6 games: 1-5
Team leader in kills per set: Jordana Milne – 2.43 K/set (97 kills in 40 sets played)
Analysis: The 2015-16 season has proved to be a difficult one for the women, as they have struggled mightily to finish games, dropping countless 2-0 set leads. With so many first year players, this is to be expected, but the playoffs look like a distant dream at this point in the season.
Men’s Hockey
Record: 7-7-2 (fifth in conference)
Record in last 6 games: 2-4
Team leader in scoring: Jordan DePape – 24 pts (9 G, 15A)
Analysis: A young, fast, exciting hockey team to watch, the men’s hockey team have a lot of promise. Head coach Mike Sirant has brought in some great recruits, including Brett Stovin, who is third in rookie scoring, and defenceman Adam Henry, who is sixth in rookie scoring. Manitoba has struggled at home this season, only winning two games at the Wayne Fleming arena. This team is also prone to mistakes, as they still are a very young team with plenty of first year players having to get adjusted to the Canada West. Manitoba is currently sitting in a playoff position, but have the ability to climb the standings in the second half of the year.
Women’s Hockey
Record: 9-0-6-1 (tied for first in conference)
Record in last 6 games: 4-2
Team Leader in scoring: Karissa Kirkup (3 G, 8 A), Alana Serhan (2 G, 9 A), Alanna Sharman (6 G, A) – 11 pts
Analysis: Over the last nine games, the women have averaged 2.67 goals per game – more than twice the offensive output of their early season. Offence has been well-distributed in Jon Rempel’s roster after 16 games, with 14 different players scoring at least one goal this season. With 14 games remaining in the regular season, the Bisons should have no trouble finishing as one of the top seeds in the division should they maintain their form. Heading down that stretch, there will be greater emphasis on consistent offensive production on all four lines in order to make a deep playoff run.
