It's a special time to be a basketball fan in the province of Manitoba. For the first time in Canada West history, the No. 7 nationally ranked Manitoba Bisons and Winnipeg Wesmen will duel it out for a spot at nationals. A Bisons win would mark their second trip to the Final 8 under head coach Kirby Schepp, after a visit to Halifax in 2017. 

A win also places the victor in the Canada West final, while local bragging rights are also on the line, with the two rosters bolstering a combined 21 local products.

Investors Group Athletic Centre is sure to be packed, with the predicted crowd size to be around the building's capacity of 3300. 

"It's really great to see that someone from the city of Winnipeg will be going to nationals. We hope it's us," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp. "It's great for basketball in general in our city. It certainly adds an element of pressure and an element of excitement to it. We're expecting a packed house here on Saturday to witness some history."

The two teams split a pair of games earlier this month. Winnipeg won game one in Manitoba's gym 89-80, thanks in part to a 50-35 halftime lead where the Wesmen shot above 50 percent from the land beyond. Overall, Winnipeg shot above 40 percent from the field and distance, thanks to a combined nine treys from captain Shawn Maranan, rookie standout Alberto Gordo and Paul Francisco. 

The following night, Manitoba got revenge inside the David F. Anderson Gymnasium. Rookie sensation Simon Hildebrandt (who led the team and was in the top ten in the conference with over 16 points per game) had 20 points in the first half (just eight points less than the entire Wesmen roster), while Maranan was held to just four total field goals. 

Manitoba led by 15 at one point, but the Wesmen stormed back in the fourth, going on a 9-0 run to start, which gave them a 52-51 lead. They were unable to stop the Herd's run however, as they scored 15 straight over the next four minutes to close out the contest.

The momentum shift occurred with Winnipeg up one. Wesmen head coach Mike Raimbault was given a technical, and Manitoba cashed on the free throw and got a triple from veteran Wyatt Tait on the ensuing possession. The rest was history. 

Overall, Manitoba shot 37 percent from the land beyond in game two, with six different players dialing up at least one triple. 

"Especially on the second night, when we moved the ball really well and share the ball, we're pretty tough to stop offensively," said Tait. "Playing in such a tough atmosphere, it's important to get in our flow, stick to what we know and keep the ball moving."

This contest also features the conference's top two defensive teams. Manitoba led the way giving up just 70.5 points per game, while Winnipeg was right behind at 75.2. Individually, Manitoba's Mason Kraus (56 steals) and Winnipeg's Gordo (45) and Maranan (44) all finished in the top eight in steals. 

"I think it comes down to being able to execute and knock down shots," said Schepp. "Both teams I'm sure are incredibly familiar. Everyone knows what everyone is going to do. It's just a matter of executing at the right time, and making shots when it counts."