On February 17, the Toronto Varsity Blues men’s basketball team closed out their 2024–2025 season with a 77–53 away win over the McMaster Marauders.
The team finished their season with a 9–13 record, placing fourth in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Central division. Just one year after making a historic run to the OUA semifinals, the Blues missed out on a postseason berth.
Toronto’s season was certainly a rollercoaster. The team started strong with a 4–2 record in their first six games, including an impressive 84–67 victory over the TMU Bold in the inaugural Metro Hoops Classic and a 114–41 beatdown of the Algoma Thunderbirds.
However, the season then took a downturn as the team suffered an eight-game losing streak. This significantly reduced the Blues’ playoff hopes, especially considering they were in a strong division this season. Despite the rough stretch, it was crucial for the team to recover and finish the season strong. That’s exactly what Toronto did, defeating division rivals Brock Badgers and the Marauders to close out their campaign.
Although it was an overall disappointing season for the Blues, it was still a joy to watch the team, especially due to the excellent play of Inãki Alvarez, who led the team with 17.2 points per game, and Lenny Weber, who led the OUA with 8.9 rebounds per game. Their on-court chemistry and playmaking elevated the team, producing several highlight moments throughout the season. These included Alvarez reaching the 1,000-point milestone in his final home game against Brock, and Weber scoring a career-high 29 points against the Marauders in his final game.
The two stars were part of this year’s graduating class, which also included standout players Anthony Daudu, David Ramirez, and Quarry Whyne. Their leadership and talents will be missed next year as the Blues aim for a return to the postseason.
Looking ahead, the Varsity Blues’ men’s basketball program appears to be entering a new era. A year after 2023–2024 OUA MVP Callum Baker’s graduation, the team will now be graduating a stellar class of players, including its top three scorers this season: Alvarez, Weber, and Whyne.
The Blues need a new infusion of talent to usher in a new chapter. They made a great first step by recruiting high school forward Joe Baggaley-Lacarte, officially announcing his commitment on February 26. He is projected to be a high upside two-way player who can contribute immediately and develop into a star.
Furthermore, returning players like Simeon Jeffers and Nigel Hylton will look to thrive in larger roles. Jeffers scored a season-high 22 points against the 18–4 Lakehead University Thunderwolves, highlighting his potential to become the team’s go-to scorer next year.
After a challenging season, the Blues face a critical juncture in the program’s evolution. Replacing key players such as Alvarez and Weber will not be easy, but successful programs adapt and consistently find ways to win. For Varsity Blues men’s basketball, this offseason presents a chance to lay the foundation for future success.
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