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Message: [QUOTE="rallydoug, post: 1185462, member: 4981"] I guess that "one Carleton fan who was posting" would be me! Interesting thread and for the most part, the comments ring true. This year's Ravens team is not as strong as last year's team. We lost three starters, two 6'7" forwards who played real tough under the baskets and a guard who was a real good rebounder and 3 point shooter. We likely would have won Sunday's game with last year's team. But then, Syracuse can say the same thing! The question of how Carleton would perform in the NCAA has been endlessly discussed on our forums. It is kind of a mute question, as it will never happen. My estimate would be that they would get into the tournament most years and be seeded around mid-pack in their good years. I could write several pages about the differences between Canadian university basketball and the NCAA, but here are a few points to ponder: - In Canada, we have true student athletes. They are students first who also happen to be athletes. We do not have athletic scholarships, although most schools do have some support programs for athletes and some alumni support. - The Carleton coach, Dave Smart, spends 45 minutes each week with each Ravens player to discuss academic challenges and other needs. - There are over 100 Canadians playing NCAA D1 basketball this coming season. Perhaps, half of these players could not gain admission academically to a Canadian university. - The very best Canadian prospects (Wiggins, Ennis, Stouskas, etc.) will never stay in Canada to play university basketball (and who can blame them?). - Carleton played 8 pre-season games this year against NCAA D1 schools. These games are used as a tool to convince Canadian players to stay at home, attend Carleton and still have an opportunity to play some high profile teams. - The two best teams in Canada are in Ottawa, Carleton and the University of Ottawa. They will probably play each other again in the championship game in March. Certainly no guarantee that Carleton will win. Anyway, I love the fact that two totally different approaches to university basketball can result in two teams like Syracuse and Carleton who can play each other and have a tough, competitive and entertaining match-up. I really hope that we see many more of these Orange/Ravens games in the coming years. [/QUOTE]

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