The Battle of Ottawa Returns: Everything you need to know about the 2026 Capital Hoops Classic
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Venue: The Arena at TD Place
Tip-off: Women's Game @ 6:00 PM | Men's Game @ 8:00 PM
The biggest rivalry in Canadian university sports is back. This Friday, the city splits in two as the uOttawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens descend on TD Place for the annual Capital Hoops Classic. Whether you bleed Garnet and Grey or... that other shade of red, the atmosphere at Lansdowne is guaranteed to be electric.
Here is your full rundown for the Battle of Ottawa!
The Women's Game: A Revenge Narrative
Ottawa Gee-Gees (10-8) vs. Carleton Ravens (13-5)
If you only watch one game this year, make it this one. The rivalry between these two squads has reached a boiling point. Last season saw them clash on the biggest stage imaginable – the U SPORTS National Semifinals – but this season, the Ravens drew first blood with a heart-breaking 64-63 victory over Ottawa back in November.
The Stakes:
The Gee-Gees are looking to settle the score. With both teams fighting for seeding in the OUA East, a win here is massive for playoff positioning. Ottawa enters the game with momentum, relying on their high-pressure defense to disrupt Carleton's rhythm.
Players to Watch (Gee-Gees):
Allie McCarthy: The heartbeat of this Gee-Gees squad, McCarthy dominates the glass and has the range to stretch the floor. She has already proven she has the "clutch gene" with a buzzer-beating winner against McMaster earlier this season; if this game comes down to the wire, expect the ball to be in her hands.
Bailey Russell: Russell enters the Classic playing her best basketball of the season. She is fresh off a weekend where she shot a scorching 72% from the field and is a nightmare in transition. Her ability to slash to the rim and disrupt passing lanes will be vital in slowing down Carleton's attack.
Enora Touloute: A quiet contributor that can become the X-factor on defense. Fresh off a game where she ripped 8 steals against Algoma; Touloute is a nightmare for opposing ball handlers and can turn defense into easy offense in a heartbeat.
Player to Watch (Ravens):
Kyana-Jade Poulin: The engine of the Ravens' offense and arguably the hottest player in the conference right now. Poulin was recently named OUA Athlete of the Week for a second time this year, after dropping a cool 27 points against McMaster. She was also the difference-maker in the first meeting between these teams, scoring a game-high 22 points to hand Ottawa that heartbreaking one-point loss. Containing her will be a huge priority.
The Men's Game: Clash of the Titans
Ottawa Gee-Gees (12-6) vs. Carleton Ravens (16-2)
The Men's game features a heavyweight bout between the top two teams in the OUA East. The Ravens currently sit atop the standings, but the Gee-Gees have owned the TD Place hardwood recently, winning the last two Capital Hoops Classics, including a 79-66 statement win last year.
The Stakes:
Carleton took the first meeting this season decidedly, 83-64 in November, but this is a different Gee-Gees team. Winning 8 of their last 9 games since coming back from the winter break, and fresh off an emotional buzzer-beater victory against Lakehead, Ottawa is playing with renewed confidence. A win on Friday would not only narrow the gap in the standings but prove that the Gee-Gees are the kings of the big stage.
Players to Watch (Gee-Gees):
Alec Phaneuf: The undisputed floor general. Phaneuf is coming off a legendary buzzer-beating performance to sink Lakehead, proving he has ice in his veins. He controls the tempo, finds the open man, averaging nearly 5 assists per game, and isn't afraid to take the game-winning shot when the lights are brightest at TD Place.
Brock Newton: The anchor of the Gee-Gees' interior. Newton is fresh off a dominant defensive showing where he swatted 4 blocks against Lakehead. He is a double-double threat every single night and provides the veteran toughness needed to battle Carleton's bigs in the paint.
Owen Kenney: A versatile weapon who keeps defenses guessing. Kenney has been excellent on the glass recently, pulling down nearly 8 rebounds per game over the weekend, but his real threat lies on the perimeter. He had multiple 20+ point games last month, giving Ottawa the firepower needed to trade baskets with the high-scoring Ravens.
Louis Daoust: The definition of instant offense. Daoust doesn't just provide energy; he changes the momentum of the game. He is playing efficient, high-impact basketball; evidenced by his recent 16-point, 11-rebound explosion against Algoma and a scorching 14 points in just 16 minutes against McMaster. When he checks in, the intensity immediately goes up.
Players to Watch (Ravens):
Marjok "MJ" Okado: The engine of the Ravens' offense. Okado is currently averaging over 16 points per game and is lethal from beyond the arc. He dropped 28 points just two weeks ago against McMaster and can heat up instantly; containing him is the key to an Ottawa victory.
Aubrey Dorey-Havens: Okado's running mate in the backcourt. He rarely leaves the floor, leading the team in minutes, and is an efficient scorer who punishes defenses for over-committing to Okado.
The X-Factor:
The Crowd: In 2025, Ottawa used the energy of the crowd to fuel a massive second-half run. We need the Gee-Gees Nation in full force to replicate that magic.