The 2025–26 Canada West Men’s Basketball season is ready to tip off, and Manitoba is once again front and centre in the national spotlight. The latest Canada West Coaches Poll places the Manitoba Bisons and Winnipeg Wesmen among the top three programs in the conference, while the Brandon Bobcats look to climb the standings with an experienced lineup and key returning talent.
Full 2025–26 Canada West Coaches Poll Rankings:
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Victoria Vikes
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Manitoba Bisons
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Winnipeg Wesmen
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UBC Thunderbirds
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Calgary Dinos
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Alberta Golden Bears
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Trinity Western Spartans
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Fraser Valley Cascades
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Mount Royal Cougars
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Lethbridge Pronghorns
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Saskatchewan Huskies
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Regina Cougars
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Brandon Bobcats
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Thompson Rivers WolfPack
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UNBC Timberwolves
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UBC Okanagan Heat
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MacEwan Griffins
Manitoba Bisons (Ranked #2)
The Manitoba Bisons enter the new campaign as a championship contender, retaining their entire 2024–25 core and adding multiple impact newcomers. Coming off a 16–4 regular season and a trip to the Canada West bronze medal game, head coach Kirby Schepp’s veteran-heavy lineup is built to win now.
Fifth-year guard Mason Kraus returns as the program’s all-time leader in steals and a Canada West All-Star, fresh off a summer playing professionally with the Winnipeg Sea Bears and competing internationally with Team Canada 3x3.
Key Additions: Dante Dyck (Winkler, MB), Ramogi Nyagudi (Winnipeg, MB), Titus Heron (Saint John, NB)
Returning Leaders: Kraus (18.4 PPG, 5.3 APG), Cieran O’Hara (9.6 RPG, 1.6 BPG)
Season Opener: Oct. 24 at Brandon
Winnipeg Wesmen (Ranked #3)
The Winnipeg Wesmen continue to assert themselves among Canada’s elite, following another 16–4 campaign and a narrow playoff loss to UBC. Fifth-year forward Donald Stewart anchors a strong returning core that includes Ryan Luke, Kato Jaro, and Malachi Alexander. Head coach Mike Raimbault, entering his 15th season, blends veteran leadership with key additions like Emmanuel Ugbah, Noah Macaladad, and Jayden Westerlund.
Key Performer: Donald Stewart (10.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG)
Returning Leaders: Luke (10.8 PPG), Jaro (2.6 APG)
Season Opener: Oct. 26 vs. Brandon
Brandon Bobcats (Ranked #13)
After a rebuilding year, the Brandon Bobcats are poised for a step forward under veteran coach Gil Cheung. Fifth-year standout Sultan Haider Bhatti returns after an All-Canadian campaign that saw him average 20.4 PPG and 4.5 APG, along with being selected first overall in the U SPORTS CEBL Draft by the Montreal Alliance. The Bobcats’ young roster, highlighted by six first-year players, will rely on Bhatti’s leadership to return to playoff contention.
Key Additions: Munroop Gill (Surrey, BC), Duncan DeMarco (Denver, CO), Jerry Ige (Winnipeg, MB), Isaac Brown (Vancouver, BC)
Season Opener: Oct. 24 vs. Manitoba
Conference Outlook
Victoria enters the season as the defending U SPORTS national champion and top-ranked team in the poll, while Calgary, UBC, and Alberta round out a highly competitive top six. With Manitoba and Winnipeg both firmly among the conference’s elite, the 2025–26 season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Fans can stream every Canada West basketball game live in person or on CanadaWest.TV.
Source: https://canada-west.prezly.com/mbb-2025-26-season-preview--coaches-poll