Fresh off PACWEST titles for the VIU Mariners men's and women's basketball teams, and a CCAA championship for the 2019 men, the Mariners begin their 2019-20 regular season no Nov. 1 (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Hoop Dreams

VIU basketball teams hope new players bring golden results

Oct 31, 2019 | 3:58 PM

NANAIMO – Sports success stories at Vancouver Island University are plentiful and both the men’s and women’s basketball programs are no exception.

As the Mariners begin the 2019-20 season, they’ll briefly reflect with a banner raising on Friday Nov. 1.

The men won the ultimate prize in 2019 with a gold medal at the CCAA nationals, while both the men and women took top spot at the PACWEST provincials.

Men’s coach Matt Kuzminski said his lasting memory from that season was how the team came together.

“That’s the battle every year, is to try to develop a team that is close, that has each other’s back. We were able to do that last year and that’s how the magic happens.”

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Tony Bryce said he had already turned the page on last season, his focus firmly on the opening games against Douglas and Capilano.

“Last year was last year. We’re just trying to build into becoming a championship contender.”

University sports frequently sees a turnover in personnel year after year, and both squads have some key holes to fill.

The men have just five returnees on their roster of eleven while the women lost three key seniors.

Bryce welcomed recently graduated Victoria Brown and Emma Platner back in the fold as assistant coaches, while Emily Clark remains with the program as an assistant trainer.

“They were very valuable to us, not only on the court but leadership wise. Luckily all three are still in the program which is beautiful for the culture.”

Leadership is often tasked to the fifth year players on a team but the men’s Mariners don’t have any this season.

Kuzminski said that mantle will fall on the three fourth year players in Tyus Barfoot, Cameron Gay, and Landon Radliff.

“I think honestly we’ll go in many ways as far as their leadership will take us,” Kuzminski said

The women have seven players in their fourth or fifth year which gives Bryce a wealth of experience to draw from.

“We have a quality group of young women and we have no shortage of character.”

Opening tip off for the PACWEST comes quickly and both coaches are anticipating a longer process to attain their ultimate goal of a championship.

The large number of newcomers brings some challenges for Kuzminksi.

“Last year we had a lot of guys who knew our system and our culture”, Kuzminski said. “This year that’s a longer process to learn and it’s going to continue to be a process right til the end.”

Bryce has preached patience with the women’s team as well.

“The new players that we’ve added are going to be good players for us. How you play right now is important but it’s not as important as how you play in February or March.”

The CCAA released their pre-season rankings, with high expectations set on both Mariners programs.

The VIU men are rated number one nationally, while the women are ranked third.

VIU will host Douglas College on Nov. 1 to open their seasons at home at 6 p.m.

Capilano visits on Nov. 2 with the action beginning at 1 p.m.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall7