Here we go with my first team preview for the upcoming Varsity Red season. I am starting with Men's Basketball as it is the team I am most excited to watch and in my opinion the one with the best opportunity to go deep into +CIS playoffs. Last year of the VReds were 10-10 in a very strong +AUS conference that saw both the VReds and the St. Mary's Huskies feature in the top ten rankings at some point through the year.
Head Coach Brent Baker, along with his assistants Don McNeil, Dan Goggin, Pat Troy and Trevor Pardy must be pleased with their results last year. The team was very fit and pushed the pace in most games(especially in their wins). The staff seems to build their offence around their guards and they are blessed in that position for the upcoming year. They also push for great defense, which was a bit of a struggle at times last season. Last season they gave up the second most points per game in the AUS, a stat I am sure will be first on the list to work on this coming season. This coaching staff have had some recent success recruiting and are looking to get payed big dividends this season from that hard work. The only senior graduating last year was Daniel Quirion, who will be missed. He was a great leader for this team and the staff will have to look to see who will be the next from the returnees.
Now lets do a little run down on the positions:
Guards- Matt Daley(4th), Will McFee(5th), Javon Masters(2nd), MacKenzie Washburn(5th)
Now this list may seem short for a coach that likes his guard play. I will look at that a bit later in recruits and rumors. For now lets focus on all the positives that we have in this group. Starting with Mr. Matt Daley who should be the floor general for this team. He is a double threat to pass and score, isn't scared to get gritty and likes to play "Badger Ball". Will McFee seems to me to be one of the most level headed and well rounded people I have ever met. The Australian is doing well a long way from home. He takes(and makes) good shots and can change the momentum of a game with a big play on either end of the floor.(See last years Eric Garland tourney for proof.) Will should also be hungry as he missed 8 games last year due to injury after having been top scorer and an AUS All-Star in 12-13. Javon Masters will look to continue to grind after an amazing rookie campaign. He led the country, I said the whole! CIS, in scoring last year with 27.4 PPG. He was an AUS All Star, AUS ROY, All CIS Rookie team and CIS ROY, beating out his friend Dani Elgadi who had 18 PPG and 12 RPG for the Brock Badgers of the OUA. What can he do to improve? Just what he has done if all signs are correct. Work on strength and conditioning, continue to compete at an intense level on every play and working Coach Bakers offense to its max potential while locking up his opposite number on the defensive end. This young man's ceiling is very high and he has the potential, in my opinion, to be a top level pro.
Forwards- Mark Matheson(3rd), Ryan Smith(5th), Dylan Baker(2nd), Jordan Irvine(5th), Alex Carty(2nd), Alec Parise(3rd)
Leadership is going to be well represented in this group as both Ryan Smith and Jordan Irvine are in their final year and played with and were likely influenced by Dan Q. over the last four seasons. These two are very similar in their play. Both can play in the paint against much larger opponents as they had to last year in some situations. They can also both stretch out the floor and drain a three pointer along with setting hard screens and making life difficult for opposing players with tough play in the paint. Dylan Baker is ready to have a break out season. Another young Aussie who has made the trip to New Brunswick he has a chance to be a real game changer this year. He has the ability to give opposing coaches fits with match ups as he can shoot from range and drive the lane. Alec Parise is a converted volley baller who played some big minutes last year when Ryan Smith went down with injuries and also against Owen Klassen (AUS Player of the Year, Acadia) who the VReds threw all of their big men at during their epic battles last season. Alec's defensive ability is top notch, as he is long and hard working. If he has some offensive gains this year he will be sure to continue to see minutes.
Them Bigs- Sanvir "Sunny" Johal(4th), Micheal Fazzolari(4th), Alex Caskey(4th), Hussein Egal(2nd)
Sunny Johal had a rough start last year, having been injured in the first game last season versus the Dal Tigers. He did bounce back and contribute and looks to continue with the same steady play. Competition should be healthy for minutes among the bigs as Micheal Fazzolari and Hussein Egal did well last year in their roles. Egal is a real rim protector at 6-10 and with the weight I hear he gained over the summer could fight for a starting spot in this line up. His ability to score efficiently when he gets the opportunity will likely decide. Fazzolari, my favorite player and best costumer, is another proponent of "Badger Ball". He is likely to walk up to my counter on a Monday with a smile and a big shiner from his weekend battles on the court. His hustle and drive will set a great example for the whole team.
Rumors/Recruits
There are no postings yet of official announcements of new recruits for the upcoming VReds season but I have some sources close to the team who have some young men on their radar. Rayon Miller is a name to listen for. 6'2" combo guard from Ontario who was a stand out for Northern Kings and Bridgton Academy last year and was named MVP of the SBA Platinum tournament at which his team went 5-0. He would be a great fit on a team that needs another scoring guard to replace Dan Q. Here is hoping the VReds can get this young man landed, along with their other recruits.
The Competition
The AUS is always competitive and this season should be no different. SMU, Acadia, UPEI and StFX all had solid teams last year. The Capers were knocking on the door at the end of the year. Dal and Memorial have no where to go but up, but they also have talent and ability to recruit so the VReds will have no cake walk. Acadia and St. Mary's should challenge the VReds at the top of the standings but don't be surprised if one of the teams you least expect to make noise early.
This year holds lots of promise for this squad. Staying healthy and playing the up tempo game is tough to do but when it works like it did for most of last year it is a lot of fun to watch and should make for intense viewing come November.
Updates
VReds have inked up a couple of recruits that I failed to note in this Blog post. Nikola Mandic, who played Junior College ball last year in the states is a real stretch four who brings size and shooting ability to the Men's Basketball program. The 6'9", 215 pound Serb should bring another problem to the table for opposing defenses. The VReds also recruited 6'3", 175 pound Haroun Mohamed. This young man impressed scouts with his two way ability. He averaged 22.5 PPG, 7 RPG and 3 SPG last year in the competitive AAU High School league in/around Toronto. He is a lock down defender from what I have heard and should be able to match up at the next level in the AUS.
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