Fifty years is a long time to wait for a second chance.
When the UNB Reds last appeared in a national final, the world looked very different. Saigon had just fallen. The Apollo–Soyuz mission had launched. Jaws was terrifying audiences in theatres, and Saturday Night Live was beginning its first season.
Now, nearly half a century later, the Reds return to the biggest stage in U SPORTS basketball.
But waiting for them are the defending national champion Saskatchewan Huskies, riding a 53-1 record over the past two seasons, and chasing back-to-back titles.
On Sunday, the past and present collide for the national championship.
The beasts from the East: UNB Reds
The Reds stormed past the Calgary Dinos 70-66 in Saturday’s semifinals, surviving a furious fourth-quarter push to secure their first national final appearance since the 1975-76 season.
Fourth-year guard Kylee Speedy led the charge with 16 points, including four timely three-pointers, three assists, and three steals to earn player of the game honours. Alongside Speedy, Katie Butts delivered key production during a pivotal third quarter in which UNB built a double-digit lead that ultimately held off Calgary’s comeback.
But the Reds’ return to the national stage is no accident.
In just her third season behind the bench, head coach Erin McAleenan was named the AUS Coach of the Year after guiding UNB to an 18-2 conference record and the top seed in the AUS playoffs.
Under McAleenan, the Reds became one of the most balanced teams in the country. UNB led the conference in scoring at 77.7 points per game while allowing a league-low 56.4 points against, holding opponents to just 30.4 per cent shooting from the field.
That combination of outside shooting, aggressive full-court defense, and late-game resilience makes them a dangerous opponent — even against a powerhouse like Saskatchewan.
A dynasty set in stone: Saskatchewan Huskies
The Huskies step into the championship with all the makings of a dynasty.
The defending national champions have dominated the sport over the past two seasons, compiling an overwhelming 53-1 record dating back to November 2024.
At the centre of that dominance is fifth-year guard Gage Grassick, who was named the 2025-26 Canada West Player of the Year for the second season in a row.
Guiding the Huskies is one of the most accomplished coaches in Canadian university basketball. Head coach Lisa Thomaidis was named Canada West Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season and the eighth time in her 27-year tenure behind the Huskies bench.
That culture of consistency and excellence was on display in Saturday’s semifinal, where fifth-year forward Ella Murphy Wiebe delivered a dominant performance with 26 points and 16 rebounds against host Laval Rouge et Or.
Even on a night where the Huskies shot just 29.6 per cent from the field, Saskatchewan’s defensive pressure, rebounding, and late-game execution proved decisive in a 55-43 victory.
That ability to close games is exactly why they enter Sunday’s final as heavy favourites.
But no team is unbeatable — as shown by the Calgary Dinos in the Canada West semifinals — and UNB will test that again.
Head-to-Head History: A Battle of Past and Present
Despite representing opposite ends of the country, the two programs share history on the national stage.
Saskatchewan leads the all-time series 4-2 and has won the last three meetings. However, UNB holds the edge in postseason play, winning the only playoff matchup between the teams with a 73-58 victory in the 2006 CIS quarterfinal.
While the rosters have changed significantly over the past two decades, U SPORTS fans know that games are rarely decided on paper.
Both teams have demonstrated veteran composure throughout the Final 8, capable of controlling tempo and dictating the pace of play.
What to Watch For
UNB’s Outside Shooting vs. Saskatchewan’s Interior Dominance
The Reds led the AUS in three-point shooting at 31.4 per cent while attempting the second-fewest shots from beyond the arc — suggesting they make the most of their opportunities. Saskatchewan counters with a powerful interior attack, posting a 42.5 per cent scoring rate from inside the arc.
Momentum vs. Experience
UNB rides the energy of a historic run and its first national final appearance in half a century. Saskatchewan brings the calm confidence of a defending champion.
The Fourth Quarter Factor
Both semifinal games were decided by late-game surges on one end or the other of our finalists. Sunday’s title may come down to which team has the poise and the endurance to outlast their opponents and close a game.
On Sunday at 5 p.m. EST, the U SPORTS women’s basketball world will discover whether the Reds can complete their historic run or if the Huskies will add another chapter to their growing dynasty.