A Brief History of Cap Hoops

By Justin Ball (Photos: Ravens Archives & Valerie Wutti)

It's 2024, and the start of a new year means the biggest event in university basketball is back at TD Place!

On February 2nd, the infamous rivalry between the Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees is reignited as both teams clash for this year's title.

This classic rivalry series between the biggest teams in U Sports has been a must-watch since the first game took place in 2007. With Cap Hoops 2024 on the horizon let's take a look at the biggest plays, upsets, and crazy games that we've seen over the years.

The First Games

No better place to start than the beginning. The inaugural men's Cap Hoops game went down at Scotiabank Place (now Candian Tire Centre) on January 23, 2007, to a crowd of over 9,000 fans. This was a game to remember, even with the Gee-Gees securing the first win with a buzzer-beater from guard Josh Gibson-Bascombe that ended the game at 64-62.

In 2008, the first women's game and double-header took place once again at Scotiabank Place. This time, Raven's were hungry for a win. The Ravens men's team beat out the Gee-Gees for the first time with a score of 70-66. The Ravens women's team also triumphed over the Gee-Gees with a score of 53-43.

Men's highest margin of victory: 40

On January 18, 2012, the Ravens men's team dominated the Gee-Gees with the highest margin of victory in Hoops history. At this point in the season, Carleton was undefeated with a record 13-0 up against the Gee-Gees 8-5.

The game started slow with Carleton up 22-16 at the end of the first half. Carleton Exploded in the second half, putting up 26 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, while the Gee-Gees fell behind only getting 18 points in the second half.

Tyson Hinz dominated putting up 22 points, making sure uOttawa never stood a chance.

Move to TD Place

About a month before a global pandemic spoiled all the U SPORTS fun, the Gee-Gees and Ravens played of the most nail-biting finishes in the first-ever Cap Hoops game at TD Place. 

The stage was set on February 7th at TD Place, and both teams brought their best game exchanging baskets for the first half with it being a one-basket game.

The Ravens came out firing, securing a close eight-point lead at 6:29 before the Gee-Gees went on a heater closing the gap.

With 9.6 seconds in the 4th, the score is 75-77 Gee-Gees. Dorcas Buisa of the Ravens have possession. With a make-or-break play, she drives for the basket and suffers an unfortunate turnover at the buzzer-beater.

Some Records

• Raven's men's team triple overtime win (111-107) February 16th, 2013
• Highest attendance record, 10,780, Carleton men's W (79-66) Carleton women's L (46-40) February 6th, 2015
• Ravens Women's highest margin of victory (73-50) February 5th, 2016
• The Ravens men are 13-3 all-time at Capital Hoops.
• The women have a 10-5 Capital Hoops record.