What is OIT Basketball?
OIT Basketball, or the Ontario Intercollegiate Basketball League (OIBL), is a collegiate basketball league in Canada that consists of teams from universities and colleges from across the province of Ontario. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Basketball Association, and is the only college basketball league in the province. The OIBL was founded in 2005 and is managed by the Ontario Intercollegiate Basketball Association (OIBA).
History of OIT Basketball
The OIBL was founded in 2005 in an effort to provide an opportunity for students to compete in an organized and competitive collegiate basketball league. The league was created with the goal of providing a higher level of competition than what was available in the provincial and regional basketball organizations. Since its inception, the OIBL has grown in popularity and now consists of teams from more than 30 universities and colleges across Ontario.
Competition Format
The OIBL operates on a round-robin format, with teams playing each other in a regular season schedule. At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams advance to the playoffs. The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, with the winner being crowned the OIBL Champions.
Divisions
The OIBL is divided into two divisions: the OIBL North Division and the OIBL South Division. The North Division consists of teams from universities and colleges located in the northern part of the province, while the South Division consists of teams from universities and colleges in the southern part of the province.
OIBL North Division
The OIBL North Division consists of teams from universities and colleges located in the northern part of the province. This includes teams from universities such as Laurentian University, University of Ottawa, and Algoma University.
OIBL South Division
The OIBL South Division consists of teams from universities and colleges located in the southern part of the province. This includes teams from universities such as University of Toronto, McMaster University, and York University.
Rosters
Each team in the OIBL consists of a maximum of 15 players. Teams may also have a coaching staff, which can consist of a head coach, assistant coaches, trainers, and other support staff.
Competition Rules
The OIBL follows the official rules of basketball as set by the FIBA (International Basketball Federation). The league also has its own set of competition rules, which are designed to ensure a fair and competitive environment. Some of these rules include:
- Each team must have a minimum of five players on the court at all times.
- Each team is allowed two timeouts per half.
- A timeout must be called by the team in possession of the ball.
- Substitutions are allowed during timeouts and at halftime.
- The game will be played in four 10-minute quarters.
- The clock will be stopped for free throws, timeouts, and in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Prizes
At the end of the season, the OIBL Champions are awarded the OIBL Championship Trophy. The championship winners also receive a cash prize, and the runner-up receives a smaller cash prize. The other teams in the playoffs receive a small cash prize.
Notable OIT Basketball Players
Over the years, the OIBL has seen some of the best collegiate basketball players in the province. Some of the most notable players include:
- Khem Birch (University of Ottawa, 2011–2012): Khem Birch was the OIBL Player of the Year in 2012 and went on to have a successful professional career in the NBA.
- Tony McIntyre (McMaster University, 2011–2014): Tony McIntyre was the OIBL Player of the Year in 2014 and was the first player from McMaster University to be named the OIBL Player of the Year.
- Jordan Roberts (Ryerson University, 2013–2015): Jordan Roberts was the OIBL Player of the Year in 2015 and was the first player from Ryerson University to be named the OIBL Player of the Year.
Conclusion
OIT Basketball is a collegiate basketball league in Canada that consists of teams from universities and colleges from across the province of Ontario. The league is divided into two divisions, the OIBL North Division and the OIBL South Division. The league follows the official rules of basketball and has its own set of competition rules. At the end of the season, the OIBL Champions are awarded the OIBL Championship Trophy and a cash prize. The OIBL has seen some of the best collegiate basketball players in the province, including Khem Birch, Tony McIntyre, and Jordan Roberts.