2012-13 Season In Review

Our Season By the Numbers: 

Lost in RSEQ Final: 77-74 @ McGill.
2nd place finish in league standings: 10 wins & 6 losses.
Overall Record: 21 wins & 10 losses, 18 wins & 9 losses vs. CIS Competition
Record vs. teams in 'CIS Final 8' : 5 wins & 4 losses
Highest Ranking in CIS Coach's Poll: #9 (1st ranking since 1999)
Final Ranking in CIShoops.ca Ratings Percentage Index Poll: #8

Awards: 
Mike Andrews: 2nd Team All Canadian, RSEQ MVP, Defensive Player of Year & 1st Team Allstar
Jeremy Leonard-Smith: 1st Team RSEQ Allstar
Jona Bermillo: RSEQ All Rookie Team
BU Coaching Staff: RSEQ Coach of the Year

The season started out with some uncertainty and a very difficult schedule. In our first 4 games we faced 3 teams who would end up in the CIS Final 8 with 3 of those games on the road & one at a neutral site. We could have easily played very well and started the season 0-4. However, our team's hard work in September and their strong chemistry propelled us to a 3-1 start with wins over Ottawa (Bronze Medalists @ CIS Final 8), @ Victoria (6th place @ CIS Final 8) and vs. a talented Trinity Western team on our BC trip. Our only loss was @ UBC in a game that was definitely tighter than the final 12 point spread would indicate. UBC made it to the CIS Final 8 and was a top 4 team all season.

From there we continued to play well winning the UOttawa tournament & beating the GeeGees again, but on their own floor in a very tight game this time. We were down big at the half and ended up taking our 1st lead with 30 seconds to go. The crowd was fantastic...very heavy BU contingent & it literally felt like we were in our home gym in the 2nd half of that game!

From there we played well finishing the 1st semester with a 5 point win at McGill handing the then CIS #3 ranked Redmen their first loss of the year. The win left us with 2 wins & a loss in league play heading into the break. Over Christmas we won 3 out of 3 games at the UQAM Tournament before starting into league play again. We managed to win our first 3 games and broke into the national rankings for the first time in 14 years coming in at #9. That was short lived as our stumble occurred just after that with consecutive losses to McGill and at Concordia. Regardless, we managed to be on the radar all year & were consistently ranked in the top 12.

After finishing the season 10-6 in league we finished in 2nd place and hosted Concordia in a RSEQ semifinal. Despite foul trouble and injuries we hung on for a hard fought 7 point victory in front of a loud & large home crowd. Very much appreciated the support we received from our fans this season. The community was fantastic throughout as usual.

From there we headed to McGill for the league final where we played some very good basketball before having a 14 point halftime lead slowly slip away culminating in the final minute on a contested straight-on banked 3 pt shot at the end of the shot clock! Proud of how our guys played and once again an incredible crowd of BU fans there to support us.

A disappointing ending to the season that still stings. Regardless, our team and program made great strides this year and it was nice to bring the pride back to Gaiter Basketball. Next season looks promising as the only core player not returning is 5th year captain, Tim Hunter  aka Bones. Bones will be hard to replace, but the opportunity will be there for other guys to show what they can do. The season was fantastic from a coach's perspective not because of the wins, but because of the group of guys we coached...a fun, unselfish & hard working group. If they continue to work hard & never forget that we had success because WE were ALL IN then we will be very tough again next season!

We expect to play another very competitive non-conference schedule and hope to finish next year's season about 375 km east of our campus in mid-March!

I will keep you posted...GO GAITERS!!