The 2022-23 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) men's basketball season has all three teams competing for a coveted conference championship. In addition, they will also play corresponding games in the NIAC (Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) this year.
Last season, Providence University College (PUC) Pilots captured the MCAC title for the first time since 2003 and third overall conference championship in program's history. The other two MCAC men's basketball teams will look to halt a repeat during this upcoming season.
Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers
Head coach: Scott Martin, 3rd year
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: Wingers: Parker Hamlin, George Fedorchuck, Daniel Cameron; Guards: Marco Guaring, Braeden Fernandez
Key Returnee: Power player Ezra Leano
Key Losses: Shooting guard Seth Mckenzie
Number of total team members to start the season: 13
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 10-2; 1st place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Finalist (lost championship final vs. PUC)
Last MCAC championship: 2016-17
Total MCAC championships (since 1999-2000): 4 (2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2016-17)
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- A comment/quote from the head coach "Will be a very different team with only three returning players and ten newcomers. We hope to play a more wide-open style with shooting guard Parker Hamlin leading the way on the outside, and power forward Ezra Leano on the inside. Excited to be able to play a full schedule this year with no Covid restrictions. We expect St. Boniface to continue to improve as they did last season, as well as the usual tough competitive games against Providence."
Providence University College (PUC) Pilots
Head coach: Pierre Dubreuil, 5th year
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: David Froese (center), Emmanuel Oleko,(center), Rhys Maestre (small forward)
Key Returnee: All the key contributors to our Championship win last year are back (Riley Paul, Joshua Armstrong, Blake Garing, Kevin Martinez, Joshua Lamoureux, Nate Ens, Will Tyler).
Key Losses: Waedon Dueck (power forward)
Number of total team members to start the season: 15 (3 centers, 3 power forwards, 9 guards)
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 5-6; 2nd place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Champions (won championship final over CMU)
Last MCAC championship: 2021-22
Total MCAC championships (since 1999-2000): 4 (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2021-22)
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- How was the off-season for your team "The off-season was great. The guys stayed busy and healthy and worked hard on their skills to prepare for the season."
- What games does the coach look forward to most "I'm looking forward to our home opener against CMU and seeing their new roster."
- What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "More than a game, we have a few three games in three days planned this season. It's a challenge but also an opportunity to learn how to recover and produce good basketball in a short amount of time. To win one of our American Championships, we will need to win three games in three days, so we should be prepared."
- What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "I know that USB has done a great job at retaining key players and adding some talents; I look forward to seeing their team in action."
- What are the challenges they expect with the season "Like every year, competing at a high level while staying healthy for the playoffs."
- What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "We want to defend our MCAC championship and establish ourselves as a dominant program in our league."
- Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why Riley Paul, Power Forward – "Riley is a very mobile power forward playing with guard skills. Last season he was held back by an early season injury. I'm looking forward to seeing him healthy this year. " Joshua Armstrong, Small Forward – "Our senior guard Josh has been a threat on both ends of the court his entire career. Now, in his last year, his mature crafty game is going to be a challenge for any defender. Emmanuel Oleko, Center – "Fresh from France, Manu has already shown tons of potential in our pre-season, with a huge performance of 18 pts against NAIA opponent Mayville State University. The Point Guards combo Blake Garing and Kevin Martinez: – "Able to create for others or themselves, they pose a real threat to defences by sharing the lead on the ball and shooting some high percentage from the 3."
- Who is your team captains this year Kevin Martinez (point guard) and Riley Paul (center)
- A comment/quote from the head coach "We are looking forward to competing in Canada and the USA this season. The team is ready and locked in. Our early games in the NCCAA and NIAC have paved the way for our season. We know what we need to work on and what our strengths are, and we are ready to compete and defend our MCAC Championship."
Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) Les Rouges
Head coach: Christian Mouné (2 years coach), Abdoulaye Ndia (assistant coach)
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: Curtis Krahn, Aidan Salmon, Grégoire Diouf, Jax Chammartin, Cabrel St. Vincent
Key Returnee: All the team from last year
Key Losses: N/A
Number of total team members to start the season: 13
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 2-9; 3rd place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Semi-Finalist (lost championship semi-final vs. PUC)
Last MCAC championship: none – second season in MCAC
Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): none – second season in MCAC
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- How was the off-season for your team "The players spent the off-season reflecting on the last season."
- What games does the coach look forward to most "All of them. Competing is fun."
- What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "All of them. Competing is fun."
- What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "I expect the league to be very competitive. The three teams aren't far from each other level wise."
- What are the challenges they expect with the season "The discipline of playing the right way for my players."
- What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "Compete harder than last season and winning more games."
- Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why "I expect all my players to perform and contribute. I'm not singling out any of them."
- Who is your team captains this year Daniel Conway (point guard/shooting guard) and Curtis Krahn (center)
- A comment/quote from the head coach "We are excited for a new season for this young program. Learning, competing and enjoying basketball this season. Putting Les Rouges even more on the map."