Huskies men’s basketball team looking to build on strong 2022 season – Canada News

It was a run like no current player on the Huskies men’s basketball team has ever experienced.

The Cinderella team challenged teams at every turn throughout the postseason, including a win from behind to secure a Canada West conference bronze medal.

Before eliminating the nation’s top-ranked team, the Brock Badgers, en route to a U-Sports Final 8 silver medal as the second-best men’s basketball team in Canada.

“It was something special,” said graduate forward/back Emmanuel Akintunde. “A lot of guys come in and out of programs wanting the opportunity to play for a national championship and to be able to have that opportunity and to do that in my senior year was very, very special.”

“Right after the game, it was more bitter than sweet at that point, it was a tough loss,” admitted guard Alexander Dewar. “But now I’ve had time to reflect and look back, it was definitely a season I’m proud of.”

“It was really special to be a part of it and it was also inspiring,” added senior assistant coach Chad Jacobson. “To see these guys come together and play like they did.”

The road through the playoffs has been bumpy to say the least.

The team parted ways with former head coach Barry Rawlyk in the middle of their Canada West playoff run, but despite off-field distractions, the team persevered and came together.

“We got even closer; as a group of guys, as a group of men, as a group of brothers, we just came together more at that time,” Akintunde said. “To be put in this position where we really need to communicate with each other about what we want to accomplish was good.”

“This group has been through a lot together and we’ve been able to come together, be there for each other and kind of stuck together through the season no matter what,” Dewar added.

The Huskies will return as a mostly intact group after their run through the Nationals, chomping at the bit to get back on the floor and improve on what has been a successful run in 2022.

“We are all friends off the pitch as well. So for us all to come back, hopefully this is something we can all build on moving forward.

As for which word or phrase best describes the season that Dewar, Akintunde and Jacobson lived through?

“The only word I would use is unforgettable,” Dewar said. “It was an unforgettable group of guys, lots of unforgettable memories and an unforgettable ride we did.”

“Surreal, fun and confident, (this) group of guys are a special group of boys,” added Akintunde. “(This group) bought each other, trusted each other, and ultimately paid the ultimate price for the chance to compete for a national championship.”

“Magic,” Jacobson said with a smile. “It was a magical run that we continued towards the end of the season. It’s memorable, it’s a season we’ll remember for the rest of our lives, it’s a moment we have together as a team, it’s ours forever.

“No matter what people want to say or think, this was our moment together and no one can take that away from us.”