This week marks the pinnacle of the collegiate basketball season as both the NCAA March Madness and the CIS Women's Basketball Final 8 kick off.

Canada Games alumni will play important roles for their respective teams in both tournaments.

In March Madness action, 2009 Canada Summer Games Alberta alumna Adut Bulgak will look to help 5th seed Florida State get a win vs 12th seed Middle Tennessee State.

Nirra Fields, a Team Quebec alumni who competed in 2009, will lead the 3rd ranked UCLA Bruins as they take on 14 seed Hawaii.

In the CIS Women's Basketball Final 8, Canada Games alumni are represented in most of the eight teams.

Starting off with No. 1 seed McGill Martlets, Chiso Ufondu (2013-Alberta) and Mariam Sylla (2009-Quebec) lead the way.

The No. 2 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies are comprised of three alumni ; Sasha Lichtenwald (2013-SK), Kassidy Konkin (2013-SK) and Laura Dally (2009-ON).

No. 3 ranked Saint Mary's features a trio of 2009 Nova Scotia alumni in Jennifer Lewis, Angelina Cervery and Laura Langille.

4th ranked Regina features six Saskatchewan alumni in Kehlsie Crone, Alyssia Kajati (2009), Avery Pearce, Britton Belyk,Christina McCusker and Alexi Rowden (2013).

The No. 6 ranked Alberta Pandas are comprised of five Team Alberta alumni in Arianne Sakundiak (2009), Vanessa Wild, Sydney Kumar,Mackenzie Cook and Marinya Marcichiw (2013).

The No. 7 ranked Ottawa GeeGees feature 2009 Ontario alumna Kellie Ring.

No. 8 ranked UNB Varsity features two 2013 alumni in Jane Boyle(NS) and Evelyn Tumwine (NB)