The Golden Bears enter 2023/24 coming off a disappointing playoff campaign in the spring, with a quarter-final loss to UBC ending their streak of qualifying for nationals at five-straight years. 

Looking for redemption, head coach Barnaby Craddock has returned an experienced lineup, which features three fifth-year players (Lars Ishimwe, Brandon Meiklejohn, and Adam Paige) and one fourth-year (Max Russell). 

Surrounding the vets are a handful of future stars, including sophomores Isaac Simon, Logan Powell and Isaiah Torrington. 

The Bears are seeking their first CW title since 2017. 

Bisons to host CW Men's Basketball Championships

All roads lead to Winnipeg as the Manitoba Bisons are set to host the 2024 Canada West Men's Basketball Championship from Feb. 21 to 25. The postseason tournament moves to a single site this year, hosted inside the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

MEN'S BASKETBALL ON CANADA WEST TV

Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

2023-24 CW MBB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team - Points (First-place votes)

1. Victoria Vikes - 254 (14)
2. UBC Thunderbirds - 232 (2)
3. Winnipeg Wesmen - 213
4. Manitoba Bisons - 211 (1)
5. Alberta Golden Bears - 205
6. Calgary Dinos - 190
7. Trinity Western Spartans - 157
8. Regina Cougars - 138
9. Saskatchewan Huskies - 120
10. Brandon Bobcats - 108
11. Fraser Valley Cascades - 107
12. Mount Royal Cougars - 102
13. Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 90
14. Lethbridge Pronghorns - 78
15. UNBC Timberwolves - 47
16. UBCO Heat - 44
17. MacEwan Griffins - 16

NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-16. First-place votes worth 16 points, second-place worth 15 points, etc. 

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GOLDEN BEARS BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

2022/23 CW regular season record: /15-5/, 4th in CW
2022/23 post-season record: /0-1/, Loss vs UBC in quarter-final
Head Coach: Barnaby Craddock, 12th season
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2016/17 / 13
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2001/02 / 3
 
2022/23 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 90.5 points per game, 2nd
Defence: 80.0 points against per game, 4th
 
2022/23 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Points/game: 14.3, Adam Paige, F
Assists: 4.6, Lars Ishimwe, G
Rebounds/game: 6.0, Adam Paige, F
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Nate Waldron / Forward / 1st year / St. Albert, AB / Paul Kane High School
Caiden Kushnir / Forward / 1st year / Edmonton, AB / Harry Ainlay High School
 
Key performer
Adam Paige
Forward
5th year
Surrey, BC
20 games, 14.3 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game
 
After a disappointing end to the 2022/23 season, the Bears are running it back looking for a deeper playoff run in 23/24. Alberta boasts a roster consisting of three fifth-year starters, including stretch-forward Adam Paige. The Surrey, BC product led the Bears in scoring last season, finishing among the leaders in three-point shooting and rebounds in Canada West.