Coming off their first losing season in 17 years (14-19), the X-Men graduated their top two scorers, top rebounder and top assist man, as first team AUS all-star Jeremy Dunn (20 points and 6 rebounds per game) and veteran point guard Tyrell Vernon (14 points and 4 assists) pursue playing careers overseas.
Most teams in this situation would be looking at this upcoming season with doom and gloom, but the X-Men have a lot to be excited about with the addition of seven new players – the largest influx of talent since Coach Steve Konchalski's first full recruiting year at StFX way back in 1976.
Leading the returning players will be fifth year guards Will Donkoh (12.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg) and Jordan Clarke (11 ppg and 4.2 rpg), along with two seniors, 6'10" post Rod Madera (10 ppg and 6 rpg) and 6'6" stretch forward Shane Coupland (7 ppg and 4 rpg).
Six-two sophmore Jordan Tyrrell, the team's Rookie of the Year, 6'2" sophmore shooter Dave Benoit and 6'4" senior utility man Mat MacDonald will provide additional experience to the squad.
However, the story of the 2013-14 version of the X-Men is the addition of the seven recruits who will change the face of the team, as well as provide a fresh nucleus for the program going forward.
At the forward position, 6'4" Dalhousie transfer Alex Arthur will bring experience as well as toughness to the front court. Joining him will be three freshmen – 6'6" swing forward Kevin Bercy (REDA Waterloo Prep), a native of Ottawa, 6'7" post Cameron Walker of Frisco, Texas (Wakeland HS), and 6'5" power forward Tayo Shittu of Burlington, ON (Athletes Institute).
Filling the shoes of Vernon at the point will be 6'1" Jameel Williamson, a transfer from Toronto's Centennial College (an OCAA first-team all-star) and East Preston's 6'0" lightning quick Davonte Provo, who led Auburn Drive to the Nova Scotia Provincial title last year. Julius Antoine, a 6'2" swing guard from Toronto's Thornlea Prep, will add toughness and physical play to the already strong X-Men back court.
Head Coach Steve Konchalski, entering his 39th season at the helm, is excited about the change of direction in the program. "This season will be a work in progress, the plan is for these talented young players to lead our team to great heights over the next four or five years," comments the CIS all-time winngingest coach.
"We have a nice balance between experience and youth and will be able to get back to playing our traditional style of X-Men basketball – using our athleticism and depth to provide 40 minutes of pressure on defense while constantly attacking with our transition offense".
Four pre-season tournaments in October will give the freshman class a 'baptism of fire' into CIS basketball and prepare them for the tough battles in the AUS. The X-Men first hit the court in Fredericton, N.B. October 4-6 at the UNB Eric Garland Invitational tournament. They follow up with pre-season action in Ottawa October 11-13, home at thier own StFX Invitational October 18-19, and in Cape Breotn October 25-27.
The AUS season opener takes place at the Oland Center vs Cape Breton at 8:00 pm on Wednesday November 6th.