Eight fast-breaking, rim-shaking teams are ready for the 2017-2018 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Basketball Championships to be held March 1-3, 2018 at Lethbridge College Kodiaks' Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

Returning from last year's championships are seven teams; the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder, Lakeland College Rustlers, Lethbridge College Kodiaks, Medicine Hat Colleges Rattlers, NAIT Ooks, Red Deer College Kings and SAIT Trojans.

Not returning to the hardwood are the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings and in their place the Keyano College Huskies, back after a one-year hiatus.

We talked to the coaches from the No. 1 ranked North Division Thunder with Reagan Wood and South Division leader Trojans' Marty Birky about this weekend's championships.

"We've been on a nice run to finish the regular season," said Thunder coach Wood, of the 10-game win streak. "The guys are healthy and that is 90% of the battle that we have.

"Ryan McLaren (18.6 points per game) has been our leading scorer the last two seasons and he is one of the most efficient players in the league. He gets his shots off in the flow of the offense.

"Our fifth year players (Brett Jakubec, Mike Malin) have been huge contributors as well. Everyone on this team can contribute, so we have depth and to have that balance has been our biggest asset.

"There are zeros on the board going into this week and all eight team have a chance to win it all."

As returning ACAC champion, the SAIT Trojans will no doubt look to Murphy Beya, who leads the team in both scoring 15.8 points per game and rebounding with 10.6 boards per game.

"He is our leader and he is everything to the team," said head coach Marty Birky, of the 5th year 6-foot-3 guard from Ottawa, Ontario. "He motivates guys in practice and demands excellence out of everybody.

"The No. 1 seed the last three years has not won the title, so it's any man's game. Its ACAC playoffs. The key for us is to get out in the transition from our defence."

Thursday March 1, 2018

Game 1 1 p.m.

Red Deer Kings vs NAIT Ooks

Red Deer Kings

Keyano Huskies Jack Redden powers down a put back dunk (Photo Erwin Kuhr)

Record: 14 wins 7 losses 89.3 ppg scored 84.2 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 3
Coach: Clayton Pottinger
Points: Daniel Powell 22.6
Rebounds: Daniel Powell 15.0
Assists: Solon Ellis 5.3

NAIT Ooks

Record: 16 wins 8 losses 85.1 ppg scored 77.8 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 7
Coach: Mike Connolly
Points: Brady MacKay 15.2
Rebounds: Samson Cleare 8.1
Assists: Wyatt Beaver 3.9

Game 2 3 p.m.

Keyano College Huskies vs. SAIT Trojans

Keyano College Huskies

Record: 14 wins 10 losses 80.1 ppg scored 76.5 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 0
Coach: Jeremy Wielenga
Points: Stefan Jovcic 15.2
Rebounds: Stefan Jovcic 7.8
Assists: D'Aubre Doucette 3.8

SAIT Trojans

SAIT's Julian Apakoh throws down a dunk during the first half of the win against the visiting Olds College Broncos at SAIT's Campus Centre earlier this season Photo - Bretany Tourout/SAIT Trojans

Record: 16 wins 5 losses 90.8 ppg scored 79.3 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 13
Coach: Marty Birky
Points: Murphy Beya 15.8
Rebounds: Murphy Beya 10.6
Assists: Charlie Conner 5.3

Game 3 6 p.m.

Lakeland College Rustlers vs Medicine Hat College Rattlers

Lakeland College Rustlers

Record: 16 wins 8 losses 82.6 ppg scored 78.3 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 0
Coach: Sheray Thomas
Points: Prentice Gardner 16.9
Rebounds: Artavis Holiday 9.3
Assists: Adrian Richards 3.6

Medicine Hat College Rattlers

Record: 16 wins 5 losses 85.4 ppg scored 75.8 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 0
Coach: Richard Humphrey
Points: Aaron Cameron 19.9
Rebounds: Osato Obaseki 12.0
Assists: Jon Sappleton 4.0

Game 4 8 p.m.

Lethbridge College Kodiaks vs. Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder

Lethbridge College Kodiaks

Record: 13 wins 8 losses 86.2 ppg scored 76.9 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 10
Coach: Ryan Heggie
Points: Keanu Funa 15.6
Rebounds: Keanu Funa 6.8
Assists: Michael Clemons 9.5

Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder

Record: 19 wins 5 losses 89.6 ppg scored 77.5 ppg allowed
ACAC Championships: 0
Coach: Reagan Wood
Points: Ryan McLaren 18.6
Rebounds: Ronald Bacon Jr. 5.4
Assists: Brett Jakubec 2.5