The non-conference games are over and now results will count in the OUA standings as the 2013-14 varsity basketball season tips off on Friday, November 1. The McMaster Marauders will welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to the Burridge Gym with the women's game starting at 6-pm and the men's clash to follow at 8-pm.

After making it to the OUA West final last season, the Marauder women's team expects to be one of several squads chasing the CIS champion Windsor Lancers this year. It is a group of players that made big strides and is led by OUA all-star Hailey Milligan, 5^th-year point guard Vanessa Bonomo, and sterling sophomore Danielle Boiago. There is a quality cast of supporting players and several that can step up to be a leader on any given day. Performing with consistency will be vital as the Marauders look to get off to a strong start in OUA league play.

The Marauders finished non-conference play with a 3-3 record, with all three losses coming versus the Saskatchewan Huskies, who are ranked No. 5 in the first set of national top-ten rankings. Playing tough games against such a quality team bodes well for Marauder fortunes moving forward.

The opening OUA weekend continues Saturday, November 2, when the Ryerson Rams come to Hamilton for doubleheader action with games at 6 and 8-pm.



The Marauder men's team is talking about taking a major step this season, and gaining a berth at the national tournament next March is the goal. In games against CIS competition, the Marauders finished non-conference play with a 4-3 record and are still working out the wrinkles of a new campaign. Early season injuries to Nathan McCarthy and Rohan Boney have posed a challenge for the Marauder coaches, although neither player is expected to miss significant time.

OUA all-stars Taylor Black and Joe Rocca will team with starting guards Aaron Redpath and Adam Presutti to lead the Maroon in their quest. These interlock games against teams from the OUA East division will be crucial as gaining an early advantage will have a major impact on the standings, heading toward OUA West play and traditional rivals.

The opening weekend opponents are fighting the same battle and the Toronto Varsity Blues have always played the Marauders very tough, while Ryerson opens the season ranked fourth in the CIS top-ten.

Something new for Marauder basketball fans this season is the fact all McMaster games will be broadcast live on campus station 93.3 CFMU.

Located at 93.3 on the FM radio dial or online at CFMU, McMaster radio has committed to broadcast the Marauders at home and on the road, and will be the audio source for live-streamed games that are not telecast on McMaster's television partner Cable14. Fans can follow the Marauders via webcast at Marauders.ca/live.