Bishop's Gaiters

Coach: Eddie Pomykala, 21st year.

2003-2004: 6-12, third place. Lost to Laval in QSSF Championship game.

Key Veterans
- Jeff Szita, 6-7 centre, 4th year (16.7 pts, 8.8 rbs***, 2.7 blks***, 68.0 fg%***) .
- Jason Thorne, 6-1 guard, 3rd year (8.6 ppg, 2.1 apg). 
- Ricardo Telamon, 6-2 guard, 3rd yr (9.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg).
- Cam McDonald, 6-5 forward, 3rd yr (8.5 pts, 75.0 ft%, 35.6 3pt%).

Lowdown

This young squad looks to build on a late-season surge that saw them upset nationally ranked Concordia 72-69 in the league semi-finals before falling to Laval in the final. 

Inside beast and returning All-Canadian Jeff Szita is back to tear up the middle, and he'll be helped by outside threats Cam McDonald, Jason Thorne and Ricardo Telamon. Rookie Doug McCooeye presents an interesting combination of size, shooting skills and passing ability.

Fellow rooks Junior Nicolas and Kevin Watson also look to snag some p.t. Watson, at 5-5, is one of the smallest players ever to suit up for the Gaiters. 

The team's mix of youth and experience should lead to another challenge for the league title.

McGill Redmen

Coach: Craig Norman, first year.

2003-2004: 4-13, fourth place. Lost to Laval in first round of QSSF playoffs.

Key Veterans
- Denburk Reid, 5-7 guard, 5th year (20.2 pts, 3.3 rbs, 5.1 asts, 2.3 stls, 77.6 ft%, 32.7 3pt%).
- Derek Armstrong, 6-4 forward, 5th year (20.8 pts, 6.5 rbs, 1.5 asts, 51.9 fg%, 1.4 stls).
- Gregory Rembeyo, 6-4 forward, 3rd year (7.5 pts, 5.5 rbs).
- Daniel Martin, 6-1 guard, 2nd year (6.8 pts, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 72.0 ft%). 

Lowdown

It's time for new Head Coach Craig Norman to rebuild another program. First it was Royal Military College, who he took from worst to first within five years. Now it's McGill, which has been losing ground to its competitors at an alarming rate. 

But Norman knows how to win as a player and a coach, and he'll have a great building block in returning league All-Star Denburk (Burky) Reid, one of the league's top talents. 

Burky considered a pro career before returning for his final year at McGill, and he'll team up with athletic wing Derek Armstrong to try and keep the team competitive. 

J.P. Begly, an All-Conference point guard from New York state, will have a chance to snag minutes. B.C. high school stars Sean Anthony and Rajan Nirwan round out a promising recruiting class.

ULaval Rouge et Or

Coach: Jacques Paiement.

2003-2004: 17-1. First place. Beat Bishop's for QSSF Championship. Lost to York in first round of CIS Final 10.

 
Key Veterans
- Charles Fortier, 6-4 guard, 5th year (21.4 pts***, 5.6 rbs, 2.94 asts, 2.0 stls, 53.5 fg%, 74.7 ft%, 42.0 3pt%).
- Marc-Antoine Horth, 6-7 centre, 5th year (15.2 pts, 8.4 rbs, 60.9 fg%, 1.17 blks).
- Dominique Soucy, 6-3 guard, 4th year (10.4 pts, 3.8 rbs, 4.4 asts, 42.4 3pt%***).
- Jean-Philippe Morin, 6-7 forward, 2nd year (9.2 pts, 6.1 rbs, 55.3 fg%, 31.2 3pt%).

Lowdown

The class of the league will find it harder than ever to win a fifth consecutive QSSF crown. 

UQAM, Concordia and Bishop's are eyeing the Rouge et Or's top spot, but Laval returns three league All-Stars, including All-Canadian Charles Fortier. Hard to beat that, and they also have former D-I recruit Jean-Philippe Morin, who will get to reach his star potential with more playing time. 

Big man Marc-Antoine Horth is one of the best post men in the nation, bringing size and toughness to Laval's arsenal.

Also look for recruit Etienne Wilsey (Montmorency) to battle for playing time behind Dominic Soucy. 

And if you want size, Laval's got size -- 7-1 rookie Simon Tremblay weighs a whopping 300 pounds, but he's a mystery man who didn't play last year. 

Laval are still the favourites to win the league whether or not Tremblay becomes an inside force.

UQAM Citadins

Coach: Olga Hrycak, second year.

2003-2004: 3-13. Fifth place. Missed playoffs.

Key Players
- Jay Prosper, 6-4 forward, 5th year (18.0 pts, 10.3 rbs in 1998-99).
- Marc-Olivier Beauchamp, 6-1 guard, (13.1 pts, 3.6 rbs, 3.6 asts, 1.94 stls, 73.8 ft%).
- Ratana Sak, 6-0 guard, 2nd year (10.4 pts, 3.1 asts, 2.2 stls, 36.4 3pt%).

- Francois Jolicoeur-Yelle, 6-2 guard, Montmorency.

- Sam Johnson, 6-2 guard, Champlain College-Lennoxville.

Lowdown

Head Coach Olga Hrycak is just adding to her legend by attracting top talent to one of Canada's rising programs.

It all starts with former two-time league MVP Jay Prosper, who's making a surprise return to the court after a five-year absence. 

If he still has his old magic, UQAM's in the playoffs, for sure. And the team is absolutely stacked at guard, with no fewer than four potential All-Stars in the lineup. 

Veterans Marc-Olivier Beauchamp and Ratana Sak are great athletes who can push the ball upcourt, and rookies Sam Johnson (Lennoxville) and Francois Yelle (Montmorency) were the top two CEGEP AAA scorers last year. 

The Citadins could finish as high as second place, and an historic upset in the playoffs is a definite possibility.

Concordia Stingers

Coach: John Dore, 15th year.

2003-2004: 13-4. Second place. Lost to Bishop's in first round of QSSF playoffs.

Key Veterans
- Patrick Perrotte, 6-1 forward, 3rd year (15.6 pts, 5.1 rbs, 59.2 fg%).
- Jon Dresner, 6-5 forward, 5th year (13.7 pts, 6.0 rbs, 73.7 ft%, 32.5 3pt%).
- Philippe Langlois, 6-2 guard, 4th year (12.3 pts, 4.4 rbs, 5.8 asts***, 3.1 stls***, 76.7 ft%, 33.9 3pt%)
- Chris Blackwood, 5-7 guard, 2nd year (9.8 pts, 2.43 asts, 1.64 stls, 81.0 ft%).

Lowdown

This veteran-laden team will probably pose the greatest challenge to Laval's supremacy.

They have already proven themselves with a win over D-I New Hampshire, and they also impressed with a close 12-point loss to ACC competitor Virginia.

The Stingers have a great nucleus of Patrick Perrotte, Philippe Langlois and Jon Dresner, with sparkplug Chris Blackwood adding energy and scoring punch.

When you add talented guards Ben Sormonte and rookie Dwayne Buckley (Vanier), you've got a bunch of guys who can D you up and put pressure on your defense with their offensive talent. 

And let's not forget that Head Coach John Dore isn't happy about last year's first-round playoff loss to Bishop's. Anger can be a great motivator.

***=League-leading stat