On paper, McMaster's opening game at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's basketball championship tournament appears to be a mismatch.

Mac's opponent on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Burridge Gym will be the top-seeded Simon Fraser Clan of Burnaby, B.C.

The defending CIS champions roll into Hamilton having won the Canada West title last weekend in impressive fashion -- 84-64 over the Saskatchewan Huskies and 92-62 over the Regina Cougars. And it was only last month that the Clan's 54-game winning streak was snapped.

McMaster, in comparison, didn't even advance past the Ontario University Athletics quarter-final playoffs.

After finishing fifth in the West Division standings (13-9), the Maroon and Grey fell 72-66 to the fourth-place Brock Badgers.

The host Marauders are seeded eighth. The field also includes (in order of ranking) the OUA champion Windsor Lancers, Saskatchewan Huskies, Regina Cougars, Laval Rouge et Or, Cape Breton Capers and the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

"You always have a shot," said coach Theresa Burns, whose Marauders captured a bronze at the 2008 nationals in Saskatoon.

"There's an upset every year in one or two of the brackets.

"We play our best on home court, so that's a huge advantage for us."

Marauders last played host to the Canadian showcase tournament in 2002 and '03. Mac has never defeated SFU in four tries, including two straight at opening-rounds of CIS tournaments in 2006 and '07.

Simon Fraser is 28-1 against CIS opponents this season. Overall, the Clan under head coach Bruce Langford has qualified for nine straight national appearances.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Simon Fraser overlooks us a little and starts thinking about the next game," said Burns whose 2006 squad almost upset the Clan at the nationals in Fredericton. On that occasion, Taylor Smith's last-second shot in overtime bounced off the rim and the Clan hung on for a 57-56 win.

"Simon Fraser is always fundamentally sound," Burns said. "They have balanced scoring and they'll score either inside or outside. Robyn Buna is one of the best shooters in the country, particularly lethal with some deep three-point range."

Burns said the Clan is big and strong but Mac must give itself a chance by rebounding effectively. "We've got to be as aggressive as possible defensively at every position from point guard to post. For us, it will be about execution and limiting mistakes."

Fifth-year point-guard Smith -- an OUA First-Team All-Star for three straight seasons -- enjoyed another brilliant campaign. She averaged 14.2 points and led the country in assists (159). This will be the St. Thomas More Secondary School product's fourth time at CIS finals.

Said Smith: "Simon Fraser is a great team. They're deep and well-coached. But anything can happen. We'll play pressure free, come out firing, and see what we can do."

Forward Taylor Chiarot was selected to the Second All-Star Team this season. She led the league in field-goal percentage (58.7) averaging 13.3 points.

The remainder of the Marauder lineup is comprised of Jacklynn Nimec and Nicole Rosenkranz (All-Rookie Team selections), 6-foot-3 Canisius College transfer Hailey Milligan, Hannah Lamb, speedy Rebecca Rewi, three-point threat Lisa Marie Iavarone, Vanessa Bonomo, Emily Leger and Elizabeth Burns. A concussion kept Rewi out of the lineup for the last two games, but she is expected to return. Shoulder injuries to Rosenkranz and Leger also limited their recent practice time.

"They're a tough matchup for sure," Burns said of the Clan, "but that's what nationals are about, right? We've got to make them as uncomfortable as possible from the get-go."

Other games Friday are Windsor vs. Ottawa (1 p.m.), Saskatchewan vs. Cape Breton (3 p.m.) and Regina vs. Laval (8 p.m.)

lmoko@thespec.com 905-525-9140