Beyond the Scoreboard

The women’s side of our U SPORTS series begins with the back to back national champion Saskatchewan Huskies.

In this episode, Fatih examines how Lisa Thomaidis built one of the country’s most complete teams. Saskatchewan combined an extensive offensive package with clear principles, strong preparation and exceptional five-player defence.

From their offensive versatility and personnel usage to their disciplined help, recovery and rebounding, discover why the Huskies could adapt when their offence was challenged and why this was the most complete coaching performance Fatih has analyzed in the series so far.

The Calgary Dinos controlled the first half against Acadia at the U SPORTS Final 8, but the game changed dramatically during the second half.

In this episode, we examine Calgary’s pick-and-roll offence, the difference between offensive variety and true continuity, and why having a dependable late-game identity matters when an opponent adjusts.

We also break down Calgary’s flexible matchup zone, how its 1-2-2 and 3-2 formations disrupted Acadia, and what changed once the Axemen began finding answers.

A balanced coaching analysis of a young Calgary team, its offensive development and a defensive identity that created problems at the national level.

How much structure does an offence need and when should players be given the freedom to solve the possession themselves?

In this episode, I examine the University of Alberta Golden Bears during Geoff Pippus’s first season as head coach. We explore the philosophy behind their organized ball-screen offence and the balance between coaching structure and individual creativity.

Defensively, Alberta provided one of the most impressive team performances in this series. Instead of defending the pick-and-roll as a two-on-two action, the Golden Bears turned it into a two-on-five responsibility through early help, collective positioning and coordinated recoveries.

The Laval Rouge et Or finished the regular season with a 13–3 record before winning their first RSEQ championship since 2008 and returning to the U SPORTS Final 8.

In this episode, I examine how Laval used empty-corner pick-and-roll actions to create attacking space for its guards and wings. On defence, I break down its athletic run and jump pressure, changing full-court formations and sideline traps an approach rarely seen at the U SPORTS level.

We also discuss head coach Nathan Grant, U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Christophe Tshibola and how Laval built its system around the strengths of its personnel.

How did StFX lead the AUS with 89 points per game while shooting only 29.7 percent from three?

In this episode of Beyond the Scoreboard, we examine how Coach Tyrell Vernon designed an offence around the strengths of two-time AUS MVP DJ Jackson and Second-Team All-Star Koat Thomas.

Using their February 13 victory over UPEI, we explore StFX’s four-out, one-in spacing, spread and Spain pick-and-roll actions, triangular passing relationships and weak-side backdoor cuts. We also look at how rim pressure, free throws and offensive rebounding helped the X-Men produce the conference’s highest-scoring offence.

Carleton entered the national tournament following a loss in the Wilson Cup final and responded by capturing the program’s record-setting 18th U SPORTS championship.

In this episode of Beyond the Scoreboard, I examine how Coach Taffe Charles and the Ravens combined Princeton concepts, pistol actions and middle pick-and-rolls with exceptional defensive connection and rebounding.

We also look at the contributions of Marjok Okado and Final 8 MVP Aubrey Dorey-Havens, Carleton’s two pick and roll coverages against Laval, and the details that allowed all five defenders to operate as one unit.

This is a closer look at a team whose championship was built on structure, discipline and dependable basketball.

UBC entered a new era under first-year head coach Phil Jalalpoor and responded with a 15–5 conference record, a Canada West final appearance and another trip to the U SPORTS Final 8.

This episode explores Jalalpoor’s journey from UBC point guard to head coach, the contributions of Nikola Guzina, Nylan Roberts and Holt Tomie, and the Thunderbirds’ middle pick-and-roll offence.

We also examine their adaptable matchup zone against TMU and discuss one of coaching’s most challenging decisions: when should you trust a successful system, and when does the game require a different response?

The Toronto Metropolitan University Bold completed an impressive season by winning the Wilson Cup and advancing to the U SPORTS national semifinal.

This episode examines the program’s recent history, head coach David DeAveiro, key contributors Aaron Rhooms and Kevin Toth, and the statistical identity behind TMU’s success. The film analysis focuses on their guard-driven offence against Carleton, including early side pick-and-rolls, individual creation and the importance of developing a reliable second action when the initial advantage is contained.

This is a respectful coaching analysis of the philosophy, decisions and possible counters behind one of Canada’s most successful university basketball programs.

The Winnipeg Wesmen finished first in Canada West with a 16–4 record, but an early-season game against Manitoba showed a team whose offensive execution was still developing.

In this episode, we explore how Winnipeg grew into one of the conference’s strongest teams through balanced scoring, guard play, rebounding and defensive pressure. We discuss head coach Mike Raimbault, leading players Alberto Gordo and Kato Jaro, Winnipeg’s motion offence and ball-screen actions, and the active 2–3 matchup zone that helped them create additional possessions.

This is a closer look at a team that proved successful basketball does not always have to look perfect, it must consistently produce results.

The Victoria Vikes are one of the most successful programs in Canadian university basketball. In this episode, Coach Mehmet Akser examines their historic tradition, Murphy Burnatowski’s immediate impact, balanced player production and outstanding 2025–26 season.

The episode breaks down Victoria’s secondary break, motion offence, middle and side pick-and-roll variations, Diamond and Horns sets, and special-situation plays.

It also explores a recurring pick-and-roll defensive concern from their national bronze-medal game against Toronto Metropolitan and considers practical adjustments that could have changed the action.