Men’s Basketball
Division Rank: 3rd
Divison Record: 7-4
With eleven games remaining, the Bisons find themselves in a good position to make the post-season. They are only four points back from the Prairie Division leading Alberta Bears. After two weeks of games against teams in the Pacific division, Manitoba wraps up the regular season with a series of divisional games: hosting Lethbridge (Jan. 25 and 26), Saskatchewan (Feb. 8 and 9), and Winnipeg (Feb. 13), then travelling to Alberta (Feb. 1 and 2).
Women’s Basketball
Division Rank: 7th
Division Record: 2-9
Three games back from the three-way tie for the final playoff spot, the Bison women’s basketball team is basically out of playoff contention. Their only two wins came against the winless Brandon Bobcats. Two overtime losses against Winnipeg and UBC Okanagan might end up haunting Manitoba if they’re able to fight their way back into the playoff picture.
Men’s Hockey
Division Rank: 3rd
Division Record: 10-5-3
For the Bison men’s hockey team, there’s no place like home; Manitoba has gone 6-1-1 through the first half of the season. Hopefully that trend continues, as six of their remaining ten regular season games are to be played at the Max Bell Arena. With the bottom two teams in the conference 12 and 16 points back, respectively, it seems fairly safe to say that the six teams currently in a playoff position will remain so. Manitoba will be pushing for first in the conference, which means home ice advantage and a first-round bye.
Women’s Hockey
Division Rank: 5th
Division Record: 7-8-3
Women’s hockey in the Canada West conference has been incredibly competitive this season; only five points separates the fourth seed from last place. Manitoba currently sits in fifth, right in the thick of things. There are ten games remaining in the season including games against Calgary and Regina, the top two teams in the conference. Every point will be crucial down the stretch.
Men’s Volleyball
Division Rank: 5th
Division Record: 7-5
Manitoba finished 2012 on a three-game losing streak, which included a pair of losses to the defending CIS National Champions. The conference is extremely competitive, and looking at the remaining opponents this talented Bison squad will have to find their A-game if they expect to retain—and improve on—their playoff position.
Women’s Volleyball
Division Rank: 5th
Division Record: 7-5
The women find themselves in a similar position as their counterparts, both scrapping for a playoff spot in a tough conference. The remaining schedule is travel-heavy for both teams, and for the women that includes road trips to Trinity Western University and Mount Royal — teams that are just above Manitoba in the standings. Victories would not only improve their playoff position, but also cement them as one of the conference elites.
