The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team will travel to London on Saturday (Feb. 21) afternoon for an OUA quarter-final showdown versus the No. 9 nationally ranked Western Mustangs.
The Blues earned their spot in the quarter-final round after defeating another nationally ranked opponent in the No. 10 Queen's Gaels, picking up a 99-96 overtime win in a first round playoff contest. The win marked the first for U of T over the Gaels since 2019, and they will be looking for a similar feat against the Mustangs with their last win on London coming in 2018. The Blues entered the OUA postseason as the 11th seed following an 11-11 (W-L) regular season. Showcasing a strong defensive identity throughout the entirety of the season, they ranked in the OUA Top 10 in opponent field goal percentage, including a tremendous ability to disrupt opponents at the three-point line, holding the second best opponent three-point percentage (26.8). The complete team effort shown on the defensive end of the court has also translated to the offensive end as where three players are averaging double-figures, led by third-year forward Simeon Jeffers (15.8 PPG).With just a one-point margin in their lone meeting versus the Mustangs this season, Toronto possess an ability to complete another playoff upset.
As for Western, an incredible start to the season saw the Mustangs open with 10 straight wins. Finishing the regular season campaign with a 17-5 record overall, they earned a first round playoff bye as the third seed. Western leaned on their offensive ability, scoring the second most points in the OUA. The offence was led by guard Milan John, who finished fourth in the OUA in total field goals, sixth in total assists, and ninth in points per game. Western has slipped slightly down the stretch, dropping three of their last six games, including two on their home court. But with an offence that finished with the highest field goal percentage overall, they are never out of any game this season.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 2 p.m.
London, Ont. | Alumni Hall
Live Stats
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2025-26 STAT LEADERS
Toronto
Points per game: Simeon Jeffers | 15.8 ppg
Rebounds per game: Nigel Hylton | 6.8 rpg
Assists per game: Rohan Scott-Smith | 3.9 apg
Blocks per game: Panashe Dumbu | 1.0 bpg
Steals per game: Mikey Ballout | 1.2 spg
Western
Points per game: Milan John | 17.6 ppg
Rebounds per game: Matteo Zagar | 8.3 rpg
Assists per game: Imran Armstrong | 5.6 apg
Blocks per game: Owen Urquhart | 1.4 bpg
Steals per game: Milan John | 2.1 spg
HISTORY
Last Five:
Jan. 23, 2026 | Western 71, Toronto 70
Nov. 16, 2024 | Western 83, Toronto 81
Jan. 12, 2024 | Western 96, Toronto 87
Jan. 27, 2023 | Toronto 92, Western 83
Jan. 10, 2020 | Western 94, Toronto 88
