Spartans roster gaffe nearly gives Vikes second life

There were a few moments on Tuesday where it looked like the UVic Vikes men's basketball team would be given a second chance in the 2009 Canada West Playoffs. Days after losing in the elimination Game 3 to the Trinity Western Spartans, the Vikes discovered that there was something not quite right with the Spartans lineup in Game 2 and 3.

The violation was simple. The Spartans broke the playoff rule that teams must "freeze their roster lineups at 12 through an entire three game playoff series." Simply put, the rule states that the same 12 players that dress for game one must be in the lineup for each proceeding game in the series, and no new player (a 13th player) may draw into game 2 or 3 regardless of injury, illness or fatigue to the original 12 players.

This is what Trinity Western did.

12 players played game one. 12 players saw the floor in game one. Nothing wrong with that.

But in game two, Spartans rookie Head Coach Scott Allen would elect to insert Daniel Demian into the lineup and take out Ryan Froese. And than in game 3, Allen would dangle with his lineup again, scratching Joe Vroom and inserting Froese back into the lineup.

The musical chairs on the bench is fine during the regular season, but is a no-no in post season basketball. It gave a clear advantage to the Spartans as it allowed them to insert fresh legs in for game two and three. In each of the three games all 12 Spartans players saw floor time.

This violation of Canada West rules was hotly discussed on CIS Blogs and discussion boards across Canada and had many thinking that the Spartans could, and maybe should, be forced to forfeit the series against the Vikes.

So yesterday, after hours of speculation the Canada West came down with their decision. Rather than force the Spartans to forfeit the series, or at the very least, make the Spartans and Vikes replay Game 3, the Canada West suspended Scott Allen for two games and fined Trinity Western Athletics Department $1000 dollars.

The Horn understands that forcing the Spartans to forfeit the series with the Vikes may be slightly unfair and a bit extreme. The Spartans players had nothing to do with this inexcusable mistake made by their rookie head coach. However, you cannot deny that the Spartans got a sizable advantage by having a fresh body on their bench in each game. Remember the Vikes lost by just one in game 1 and by just two in game 3. You're telling me that a rested player in a three game series doesn't make a difference in a two point game. Come on!

Furthermore, the two game ban for Allen is inconsequential.

Take a look at the Canada West playoff picture. There is pretty much no conceivable way that the Spartans don't get the wild card berth into the Canada West Final Four. They have the third highest CIS National Rankings of the six playoff teams remaining. Yes, Allen will miss the upcoming weekend series against the UBC Thunderbirds at War Memorial. Who Cares!
It doesn't matter if the Spartans lose by 10 or by 50. They will in all likelihood get that berth into the CW Final Four and be within one victory of going to nationals in Ottawa.

Meanwhile, over on the Island basketball is finished.

After the way the Vikes lost game one and three, to now have this happen is just a terrible way to finish a promising year.
The roller coaster of emotions that the players must have felt over the past few days. Unimaginable. I don't understand why they couldn't have had a winner take all game on Thursday at War Memorial with the winner taking on the T-Birds.

I never in my wildest dreams would think that i would write the following three words on the Horn.

But it's all that Vikes fans can do now.

GO BIRDS GO