York University makes its seventh trip to the Final 10 CIS Men’s Basketball National Championship – its second in three years. The Lions advanced with a 56-43 win over RMC in the OUA East Division Semifinal on March 5th. York finished the regular season in third place with a 13 win and 9 loss record.
The Lions are led by fifth-year point guard Tom McChesney. A two-time OUA All-Star, McChesney led York in four different statistical categories and was among the OUA’s Top 10 in the same categories. His impressive regular season stats include: 2.0 steals per game (2nd in the OUA), 4.2 assists per game (4th), 44.2 three-point shooting percentage (6th) and 18.0 points per game (7th).
McChesney’s supporting cast includes 2002-2003 OUA East Player of the Year and All-Canadian Ryan French. Playing through nagging injuries, French was still able to contribute leadership through his 13.3 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
Right: Ryan French
Other Lions to watch for include 2002-2003 OUA East All-Rookie team members Jordan Foebel and Daniel Eves. Foebel, a 6’10” forward, finished the regular season with a 62.0 field goal percentage (1st in the OUA), 37 blocks (3rd) and averaged 8.0 rebounds per game (9th). Eves, the CIS Rookie of the Year last season, averaged 13.3 points per game, added 60 assists and shot 43.0% from behind the arc in 2003-2004.
York will be making its second appearance in three years at the National Championship and its seventh overall. The squad has medaled twice at the National Championship, winning bronze in 1977-1978 and 1978-1979. York also won back-to-back consolation titles in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981.
The Lions have previously battled five of the nine other teams in the Final 10 tournament. York lost both OUA regular season meetings to Carleton (73-58 and 74-62) as well as the OUA East Division Final (74-67). But the Lions defeated Brock (68-64) in the only game between the two teams and split a pair with McMaster, losing in the final of the Raptor Invitational (62-54) and winning the regular season showdown (74-62). York defeated UBC (89-87) and lost to Laval (75-69) in pre-season tournament action.
For the full Final 10 National Basketball Championship seeding and schedule, click here.