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Bisons MBB vs Wesmen Nov 5th 2021 IGAC
Dave Mahussier, Bison Sports

Men's Basketball Mike Still, Bison Sports

SEASON PREVIEW: Men's basketball expand "competitive stamina" in pre-season, locked in for season opener.

The Herd faced off against some of the best teams across the country, going 4-3 in contests against the likes of Brock, Ottawa, Dalhousie, Lakehead, Western, Brandon and UQAM.

After an intense pre-season that head coach Kirby Schepp feels was the toughest schedule-wise in the country, the men's basketball program is eager to get their regular season campaign started at home this weekend against Alberta. 

The Herd faced off against some of the best teams across the country, going 4-3 in contests against the likes of Brock, Ottawa, Dalhousie, Lakehead, Western, Brandon and UQAM. 

Losses against UQAM and Dalhousie were decided by two and three points, respectively, while the Herd battled back from a 24-point deficit to force overtime against Lakehead. 

"It's been huge," Schepp noted of his team's results over the last month. 

"Going into the pre-season I was looking, and I thought we had the toughest schedule in the country. I still think that. We finished 4-3, we could've easily been 6-1. We played very, very good teams and it's been a good test for us. We know we who are are where we're at, and it doesn't get any easier. Our CanWest league the first half is also extremely tough in what I feel is the toughest team in the country coming in in Alberta. It should be a good test for us. We've played good teams and that's what we're here to do."

Throughout the pre-season, the theme for Schepp's roster has been growing their competitive stamina. They learned valuable lessons about this against many of their opponents, including Dalhousie and UQAM. 

"The game against UQAM was one of our worst offensive halves, but they defended and competed and our offence eventually got rolling," Schepp recalled.

"[Against Dalhousie], we led most of the way in that game and when it came down late I thought Dalhousie kind of turned up the volume a little bit and we didn't respond. That one was really an indication of us learning to grow that competitive stamina. Can we compete at a high level for the full 40?"

Regardless, Manitoba has proven through their seven pre-season games that depth will be an asset. 

Fifth-year guard Elijah Lostracco, who averaged 8.2 points per game last year, has taken a massive step and will be looked upon as an every day player, while others with expanding roles include fourth-year forward Wyatt Tait (4.1 points per game a year ago, six blocks), second-year guards Tito Obasoto (11 minutes per game a year ago), Daren Watts (5.3 minutes per game a year ago) and Samuel Jensen (seven minutes per game), as well as second-year forwards Cieran O'Hara (3.8 rebounds per game, 14.4 minutes per game) and Jonam Kazadi (four minutes per game). 

"We have 12 guys in their first or second year on the roster, and they're all going to be expected to play a bigger, more significant role, which they've never done before. We certainly really like those guys. We think they've got a lot of potential, but there's certainly going to be a learning curve," noted Schepp. 

"There's going to be core guys who are asked to contribute every night. From four, five to 12, it's going to be a different guy that contributes most nights. I think in a lot of ways that's exciting. Some nights Daren Watts comes off the bench and does something. Some nights it's Tito, some nights it's [first-year guard] Brandt Lenz."

As Schepp mentioned, many of those above had notable pre-season performances. 

Lostracco — who significantly changed his body this offseason, adding more athleticism — went off against Western in a 95-78 win, scoring 32 points in a game that saw him drain his first seven straight threes. Against Lakehead, Kazadi had eight points, five rebounds and a steal, and was plus 15 overall, while Obasoto tallied 12 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes against UQAM. 
 
Bisons MBB vs Regina Cougars Nov 12th 2021 IGAC
Elijah Lostracco 

On top of these players, Manitoba has their core group that will be looked upon for consistency this year, including second-year guard Mason Kraus, first-year forward Simon Hildebrandt and fifth-year forward Isaac Miller-Jose. 

The "Mason Kraus era," in the words of Schepp, began last season, as the dynamic guard started all 16 games for the Herd, averaging nine points per game, four assists and two steals. An All-Rookie in 2021-22, he's also improved his fitness and body and is primed to take a massive step in year two, especially with James Wagner and Keiran Zziwa both graduated. 

"Mason added some weight, some strength. He started to slow down his game a little bit," said Schepp. "He's going to be fine. He's a pretty special talent. He's an ultra competitive kid who's smart and knows what we need to do to win. As he gains experience, he's going to be a tremendous player."

The 6'9" Hildebrandt — one of the top local prospects a few years ago who played prep last season — was a humongous recruit for the Bisons program this offseason. Much like his Bisons teammates, he will be asked to defend one through five on the floor, has exceptional range as a shooter and is a character person. His game draws comparisons to all-time great Keith Omoerah, due to his ability to fill up the stat line in all areas, including as a ball handler. 

"I think we're guilty sometimes of almost expecting too much of him. I think he should be doing more and at the end of the game I look and he's got 18 and nine or something on really good shooting numbers, and it's like okay look, that's our rookie, he's doing pretty well," smiled Schepp. 

"We're going to just help him grow. We have a very long-term approach with Simon. We think he could be pretty special."

Rounding out the trio is Miller-Jose, who sat out last year due to playing pro back home in New Zealand during COVID. The 6'8" force has personal goals of leading the nation in blocks this season (45 between 2018-20), and has added even more depth to his offensive game. He will be a name to remember all year for the team, as he looks for a legacy-building campaign in his final season. 
 
Manitoba Bisons forward Isaac Miller-Jose against the UBC Okanagan Heat at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, November 1, 2019 (Dave Mahussier, Bison Sports)
Isaac Miller-Jose

"Isaac's obviously going to be one of our leaders. The biggest thing is that Isaac is going to anchor us defensively. He's 6'8" and with his athleticism, he can guard any position. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he leads the league in blocks," said Schepp. 

"He literally guards one through five. He can switch everything. He plays with a tremendous motor. If he can do that for us it's going to be a huge piece for us. With his stability and maturity in a lot of ways, we're excited to see what Isaac can bring for us. "
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