The Carleton Ravens men's basketball team looks to get back in the win column on Friday night when they welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to the Ravens' Nest. The 11-7 Varsity Blues are tied with their travel partners, the TMU Bold, and McMaster for the top spot in the OUA Central.
Toronto is 5-2 in 2024 and 7-3 in their last ten including wins over Ontario Tech, Brock and Windsor during their run. Coming off three straight victories, over Algoma, Laurentian and Nipissing, the Varsity Blues are led by a high-octane offence that is averaging over 87.5 points per game - good for second in the OUA. Offensively, everything Toronto runs through the hands of Callum Baker. With 389 points, Baker is nearly 200 points ahead of teammate Noah Ngamba. Baker also leads in the OUA in minutes per game at 37.1. Top ten in assists and 3PT made the Ravens will need to be on their defensive game - which is currently sixth best in the OUA - if they want to come away victorious.
On Senior's Night this Saturday, the Carleton Ravens welcome a classic rival in the TMU Bold. The Bold are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the OUA while also leading the league in assists. Defensively, the Bold are stingy, leading the OUA in steals while ranking fifth in points allowed per game. Aaron Rhooms leads the Bold into the Nest. With 140 rebounds, Rhooms is fifth in the OUA while also leading TMU with 17.7 points per game.
The Ravens continue to be led on offence by rookie Xavier Spencer, while veteran transfer Noah Horobetz Simpson's 9.0 rebounds per game are second in the OUA. Simpson has been a force in the paint scoring 10.1 points per game on 61.7% shooting. For his own record, Spencer leads all rookies in Canada in scoring, his 259 points are 56 ahead of Boluwatife Obasoto of Algoma.
