The #RoadToTheChampionship for Pandas Basketball gets underway on Friday, with the 2023/24 season getting underway at Saville. The defending Canada West Champion Pandas open conference play against the Saskatchewan Huskies. 

Coming off their first Canada West title in program history, expectations are high for the Pandas this season, who will host the 2024 U SPORTS Championship at Saville, their first time hosting the tournament since 2001. 

Entering his 18th year at the UofA, head coach Scott Edwards has once again built a roster capable of doing damage in the spring. Veterans Claire Signatovich, Jenna Harpe, Shae McCusker, Morgan Harris, and Jenna Karach return to the Evergreen and Gold this year, looking to improve on their U SPORTS bronze medal. 

The opening weekend will be an early test for Alberta, as the Pandas and Huskies are ranked 1st and 2nd in the pre-season coaches poll. The Pandas and Huskies have combined to win the last four CW titles, with Alberta winning their first ever conference championship last March. Saskatchewan has won five of the last seven CW titles. 

WOMEN'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 WBB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team - Points (First-place votes)

1. Saskatchewan Huskies - 253 (13)
2. Alberta Pandas - 240 (3)
3. Calgary Dinos - 228 (1)
4. Fraser Valley Cascades - 207
5. Regina Cougars - 191
6. UBC Thunderbirds - 181
7. Victoria Vikes - 163
8. UBCO Heat - 148
9. Mount Royal Cougars - 140
10. Trinity Western Spartans - 136
11. UNBC Timberwolves - 97
12. Manitoba Bisons - 94
13. Lethbridge Pronghorns - 70
14. Winnipeg Wesmen - 63
15. Thompson Rivers WolfPack- 50
16. MacEwan Griffins - 40
17. Brandon Bobcats - 21

NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-17. First-place votes worth 16 points, second-place worth 15 points etc. 
 

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PANDAS BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

2022/23 CW regular season record: /15-5/, 4th in CW
20222/23 post-season record: /5-1/, Canada West Champions, U SPORTS bronze medalists
Head Coach: Scott Edwards, 18th season
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2023 / 1
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1998/99 / 1
 
2022/23 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 74.3, 4th
Defence: 62.5, 3rd
 
2022/23 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Points/game: 13.8, Claire Signatovich, F
Assists: 2.8, Morgan Harris, G
Blocks: 1.9, Claire Signatovich, F
Rebounds/game: 12.6, Claire Signatovich, F
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Brigitte Olson / Guard / 1st year / Edmonton, AB / Jasper Place High School
Ella Rees / Guard / 1st Year / Bracebridge, ON / Bill Crothers Secondary
Sarah Kleib / Guard / 1st year / Edmonton, AB / Jasper Place High School
 
Key performer
Claire Signatovich
Forward
4th year
Winnipeg, MB
20 games, 13.8 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game, 1.9 blocks per game
 
Expectations are high for a Pandas team coming off their first Canada West title, and as the host for the upcoming U SPORTS Championship in March. For the Pandas to remain among the best in U SPORTS, they will need Claire Signatovich to again be one of the best players in the nation. Signatovich was named the Canada West and U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and will need to be a force on both ends this season for the Pandas.