Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – There hasn't been this much optimism surrounding the MacEwan men's basketball team in years.
The program has endured some tough times, without a win in nearly five years (their last triumph coming via forfeit after Trinity Western played an ineligible player on Nov. 30, 2019).
But there is tangible evidence the Griffinsa are on the verge of turning things around and competing for a playoff spot this season.
MacEwan won two of its seven preseason games – beating reigning Canada West bronze medalists UNBC and Lethbridge – while losing to Trinity Western on a last-second hail Mary basket. All three are ranked above them in the Canada West coaches poll with both TWU (No. 9) and Lethbridge (No. 10) voted to be playoff teams.
To top it off, they proved they can play with some of the top programs in U SPORTS, losing by just 15 to 2025 U SPORTS nationals host UBC, 16 to Saskatchewan and by only 18 to Carleton, who've won 17 of the last 21 U SPORTS Championships.
"It just shows first off the work that we've put in throughout the summer," said Griffins captain Job Janda. "It also shows we're able to compete in Canada West. We're not just a low-ranking team. To have those two wins and other games in preseason against other top schools where we were able to battle against them, it just shows where we can really be this year and how far we can take things."
MacEwan opens the 2024-25 regular season at home vs. Mount Royal on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
BUY TICKETS FOR FRIDAY HERE
(Note: Saturday's game is free as part of MacEwan University's Open House celebrations)
Janda was voted team captain unanimously by his teammates. A threat to get a double double every time out, the fourth-year wing leads with intense work ethic on the court.
"It's a big deal," he said of earning the trust of his teammates. "I see myself as a person who just puts in the work and keeps on working day in and day out. I just hope others will do the same. I definitely feel like that from me is what's getting pushed around on the team. I feel like they trust my work, they trust what I do.
"Obviously, there's still more when it comes to being a leader and I'm learning that day by day. It's a good feeling, but I just know at the end of the day, there's more to be done – constant improvement to be done."
That's the mantra of the team, who realize if they are to crack the top 12 teams who make the post-season, they must continually strive for daily improvements. That's best achieved by working together and this is a group that seems to do that well.
"I feel like especially this year, the chemistry has just skyrocketed, to be honest," said Janda. "Everyone is buying in, which is a big thing. Every other year, there's always been certain people that have been fully bought in and others not so much, but this year's definitely changed."
Part of that is the fact their veteran core – Janda, Milan Jaksic, Marco Correas and Dami Osuma – is headed into its fourth season together.
"I think we're starting to see the maturity," said head coach Mike Connolly. "Job was selected captain before, but it was all about his work ethic. Now he's going into his fourth year and he's talking and being a leader. He's really stepped up that part.
"My assistant coach said it best, 'we're starting to see these guys develop now. They're growing up.' They're 21. Second to fourth year is a huge maturity level for any man. I think that's part of it, and I think the key additions have helped us, made us deeper.
"Then the guys have worked harder in the off-season to get better and it's showing. We've got a long way to go, but it feels good, and I think we feel good about what's going on this weekend against Mount Royal. They're right in our wheelhouse to play and the guys feel good about the opportunity that's there for them."
Playing strong defence is key for the Griffins to find success, which is what they plan on doing on their home-opening weekend.
"I think for us it's our compete level," said Connolly. "Just competing for 40 minutes, playing defence, rebounding and let the offence come. And it has been. I think if we can do really well defensively, we can play with anybody. I think that's going to be the key.
"Our defence won us the game the past weekend. So, we've just got to continue to play defence, run and play together."
Marco Correas, seen in action against Mount Royal last season, is one of four fourth-year players who form a promising veteran core that's been augmented by emerging young talent and terrific recruiting class (Robert Antoniuk photo).
The incoming recruiting class has really augmented the maturing veteran core, led by Lethbridge College transfer Filip Karanovic, who was an ACAC first team all-star last season and is already showing his talents at the Canada West level, hitting a game-tying shot with 17 seconds left against Trinity Western last weekend.
But just as big is his ability to play true point guard, which has, along with talented Winnipeg rookie Diego Presingular, opened up the Griffins' offence.
"I think adding him and Diego who are true point guards who can shoot the ball is huge," said Connolly. "Now they come in and distribute it. They make great passes, they make other people around them better. And yet you have to guard them because they can shoot. I think that's the biggest thing."
Other top additions are Regina rookie Judson Weir on the wing and veteran transfer Jordon Fullerton, who has previous U SPORTS experience from the University of Windsor.
"Judson played well as a young rookie and is coming in and doing great things. And it won't be this weekend but against Calgary, we're going to see Jordon from Windsor play. We're starting to get guys back. Marco will be available this weekend he hasn't played yet this term. Him and the transfers have been hurt."
Point guard Justace Byam and veteran wing Hugo Alonso are also coming back from injury, and we haven't even yet talked about Joel Seke, who had the most points by a Griffins rookie, averaging 9.1/game.
Add in talented players like Dele Osuma, Thai Haak, along with towering big men Mawien Monydhar (6-foot-8), Cornelius Glasgow (6-foot-8) and Joesef Gopie (6-foot-7) and the future is bright for a Griffins team on the rise.
"I really do think the guys are growing up and doing what they need to do," said Connolly. "It's all on them. They're doing what we've been preaching the last three years and now they're finally getting it."
