There's lots on the line this weekend when the Manitoba Bisons host the Mount Royal Cougars at IGAC. The Bisons men can secure first place in Canada West's Prairie Division with a sweep, while the women can secure a playoff spot by doing the same.

Women's preview
Entering play with seven wins, the most for the program in the regular season in five seasons, Manitoba will aim for more against 9-9 MRU, who have already secured a playoff spot. Both teams enter play shooting 30 percent from three-point range, with Manitoba's 30.3 percent efficiency ranking third and Mount Royal's 30 percent just below that.

Maddy Hooper leads the way for the Cougars, with 48 makes on 34 percent efficiency from distance, while Nora Luca -- the team's leading scorer and rebounder -- is shooting a team-high 36 percent. Luca, Hooper and Jenika Martens are all averaging over ten points per game, while Luca's 9.1 rebounds per game are tied for third in the conference.

For Manitoba, Emily Mandamin once again leads the team in thee-point makes. She had 35 a year ago, and is just three off that total entering play. Senior Emerson Martin, one of two seniors who will be honoured (along with Autumn Agar) on the final day of the regular season on Saturday, is shooting 35.4 percent with 23 makes, while rookie Darya Rom is shooting 32.2 percent.

Speaking of Rom, the Canada West All-Rookie favourite has started each of the last five games for Manitoba, playing in 23.8 minutes per game overall. She's scored in double figures in four straight games, and is fourth on the team, averaging 7.9 points per game.

Fellow rookie Paige Schatkowsky has also made an immediate difference. Her 9.7 points per game are third on the team, and she's playing in over 20 minutes per contest.

The battle between MRU's Norah Luca, and Manitoba sophomore Anna Miko -- who leads the Bisons with 12.1 points per game and 136 rebounds (ninth in Canada West) -- will be a key storyline. Expect both players to pad the stat sheet, and approach double-double figures by game's end.


Men's preview
Manitoba welcomes MRU to IGAC in a contest that features two gritty, physical squads. A weekend sweep for 14-4 Manitoba would secure them first place in Canada West's Prairie Division, while the 10-8 Cougars are looking to vault into a top four spot on the Prairie side of the bracket.

Both teams love to play aggressive man defence, and will look to generate turnovers and get out quickly in transition. Manitoba averages nine steals per game, fourth in the conference, while Mount Royal averages 8.4, which ranks eighth.

If the Cougars are going to have success it'll start with veteran guard Keivonte Watts. The 6'1" fifth-year is averaging 20.3 points per game, five rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game and 1.2 steals per game. He dominates the ball for long stretches, and can produce from inside and out as a volume scorer. He can finish through contact, and is also solid defensively.

Depth scoring for Mount Royal comes from 6'4" wing Dray Walburger, who averages 11.5 points per game as an efficient shooter. Sam Barnie, a 6'6" third-year forward, adds ten points per game, and is a reliable perimeter shooter. with 19 makes.

Bisons guard Mason Kraus, the Herd's all-time leader in steals (since the stat began being track by the conference in 1995-96), with 197, will play a key role in Manitoba's success. Expect him to be matched up often with Watts. Kraus and veteran wing Daren Watts will likely guard MRU's triple threat throughout both nights, and they're also the Bisons' two leading scorers, with 18.6, and 15 points per game. 

Depth scoring will also be key for both sides. For Manitoba, that comes from players like Brandt Lenz, Samuel Jensen and Manyang Tong, who've helped the Bisons become the third most prolific team from three-point range. The trio are shooting 29.3, 39.6 and 45.2 percent, respectively.

Lenz and Tong have also sunk game-sealing triples for the Bisons. Both came against nationally ranked opponents, resulting in wins versus Calgary and Winnipeg, respectively.