As they ready for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s basketball championship tournament this weekend in Toronto, members of the Lancer team know they earned their spot.

“We have competed at a high level this year beating ranked teams and making our way through a ridiculously difficult OUA schedule,” says head coach Chris Oliver. “Now we are excited for the opportunity to compete on the highest stage of CIS basketball and see how we will respond to the challenge ahead.”

The second-seeded Lancers accomplished a rare feat this season by defeating both Carleton—defending four-time national champs—and Ottawa. The Ravens and Gee Gees topped the CIS polls through the season.

After the top-seeded OUA titlists Carleton and third-seeded Ottawa, challengers for the W.P. McGee Trophy include No. 4 Victoria Vikes (Canada West champs), No. 5 Dalhousie Tigers (AUS champs), No. 6 Bishop’s Gaiters (RSEQ champs), No. 7 Ryerson Rams (OUA fourth-place finishers) and No. 8 Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West finalists).

Windsor will open its tournament Thursday against the host Ryerson; tip-off is at 6 p.m. Learn more in a preview produced by CIS.