Ryerson Rams look to complete perfect season at U Sports women's basketball championship

While March Madness reaches its crescendo in the U.S., Canada's version, the U Sports Final 8, tips off on Thursday with the best university women's basketball teams making their way to Kingston, Ont. 

The Queen's Gaels enter the tournament as host and the seventh seed,and will play No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies in their quarter-final. Meanwhile, No. 1 Ryerson Rams face No. 8 UPEI Panthers, No. 3 Winnipeg Wesmen take on No. 6 Laval Rouge et Or, and the No. 4 Brock Badgers tip off against No. 5 Acadia Axewomen.

The 11-game tournament begins at 12 p.m. ET with the Rams and Panthers opening the day featuring all four quarter-finals. 

The Saskatchewan Huskies are a living dynasty. The defending U Sports champions enter this year's tournament coming off their fifth Canada West championship in the last six seasons, and a year that saw them compile a 14-2 record against difficult competition. 

Led by former women's national team head coach Lisa Thomaidis, the Huskies turn to fifth-year forward Summer Masikewich, who averaged 17.7 points per game, third best in Canada West.

"It's going to be a challenge, going to nationals, playing teams that we haven't seen before, and being prepared for that," Thomaidis told CBC Sports. "Our team does a great job of understanding other teams and putting together a game plan and then being able to execute it."