HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The most successful men’s college basketball team of the 21st century opened its title defense on Thursday in front of about 400 people. The Carleton University Ravens were seeking their 13th national championship in 15 years at the Final 8, Canada’s version of March Madness, in a small arena where the loudest noise came from players yelling out defensive assignments.
As the United States prepares to immerse itself in its annual 68-team, three-week college basketball obsession, where nearly every program travels with a fully-equipped band, a gang of spry cheerleaders and hordes of fans, Canada is sweeping up after its own top college tournament, held over four days last weekend at the Scotiabank Centre, the self-styled Mecca of Canadian college basketball.