The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team will be looking to make a return to top form as the 2023-24 OUA regular season begins this weekend.

Toronto opened last season with a 3-3 record through their first six games played, including back-to-back wins over the 2022 U SPORTS national champion TMU Bold. However, the Blues fortunes shifted following the strong start resulting in a tough end to their regular season finishing outside the OUA playoff picture. Buoyed by the injection of a talented recruiting class, and the addition of new lead assistant John Bennett alongside accomplished head coach Tamara Tatham, U of T have their eyes set on a resurgence through pure team basketball.

FROM THE COACH'S DESK
"This season our focus is on playing as a unit and creating a culture of togetherness both on-and-off the court. We will be leaning on each other to push ourselves to be our best as a team."

• Tamara Tatham, University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball head coach.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Key Returners: Ellen Ougrinov (G), Sabrina Nero (F), Gabrielle Reed (G)

Key Additions: Raya Hafez (G), Sienna Caesar (G/F), Alex Jaglall (F)

LAST SEASON'S LEADERS
PTS/G: Lauren Boers | 22 GP, 12.7 PTS/G
 
REB/G: Sabrina Nero | 22 GP, 6.1 REB/G
 
AST/G: Faith Joseph | 22 GP, 2.8 AST/G

STL/G: Faith Joseph | 22 GP, 3.2 STL/G

FROM THE COURT
"We have a lot of veteran players who are stepping into a bigger role this year, as well as some rookies coming ready to make an impact right away. We approach the new campaign together by pushing each other in practice and keeping a culture of 'We over Me'." 

• Ellen Ougrinov, 5^th year, Guard

MARQUEE GAMES
Nov 15 vs TMU
The Blues upset the Bold to start their campaign a season ago and they will be looking to do it again with another early season home-and-home series. Beginning with the Wednesday night showdown at the Goldring Centre, Toronto will aim to capture a third straight win over the downtown rivals before action returns to the Mattamy Centre just three days later.

Nov 25 vs York
Another city-rival, U of T will need to claim victory over their fellow OUA Central opponents in order to have a chance at leapfrogging them for playoff positioning. In the second game of another home-and-home series, the Blues will utilize home court advantage in the Saturday afternoon tilt.

Feb 2 vs Laurentian
Dating back to 2009, the Blues hold a 17-7 overall record and 10-1 home court advantage versus the Voyageurs, and they will need to add to those totals in their final weekend at home for the 2023-24 season. U of T need to ensure they are quick off the jump as they look to pressure Laurentian following some long travel for the Sudbury-based opposition.

Feb 17 at Waterloo
Should the Blues put themselves in contention for a postseason berth, this regular season finale at Waterloo will surely be a factor. Toronto previously held an eight-game winning streak over the Warriors, however, the series has been back-and-forth in recent years with neither side able to win consecutive matches. Waterloo claimed victory last February, which should favour the Blues if the sequence continues.
 
GET YOUR TICKETS
Tickets for Varsity Blues home games can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets.

All Varsity Blues basketball games will also be streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.