X-Men Basketball season preview

2024 AUS MVP D.J. Jackson to lead the attack

By Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH – Boasting a combination of key returnees and talented newcomers, the STFX X-Men are primed to capture their first Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball championship since 2023.

"I am excited about this group," Tyrell Vernon – the former White and Blue guard who is in his fifth season as head coach for the program – offered of his 2025-26 roster.

Noting the X-Men have welcomed "a lot of new faces," they are quickly getting acclimatized to the speed of the game at the U SPORTS level.

To help move along that process, Vernon noted that STFX played a challenging pre-season schedule – one that featured matchups with powerhouse programs from across the country.

They posted a 2-1 mark at the UNB Invitational in Fredericton, starting with a 77-71 loss to the Carleton Ravens, followed by victories over the Manitoba Bisons (81-66) and host Reds (73-65), while on an Ontario swing over the Thanksgiving weekend, they dropped decisions to the Ottawa Gee-Gees (94-75) and Queen's Gaels (107-89).

"It wasn't about wins and losses, but preparation," Vernon offered of competing against top-10 calibre teams.

He added, "It was important for us to go through that experience," especially for the "young guys" on the roster.

Describing how they "got hit in the mouth a couple of times" during the pre-season, Vernon pointed out the X-Men are in a "good place" heading into another AUS campaign.

"We were able to learn a lot about what we were good and not good at," he explained.

One of the "really impactful" student-athletes donning the White and Blue for the first time is Nicolas Niare (Hamilton, ON), a 6'5" forward who spent four seasons playing prep school basketball with the Fort Erie International Academy. After battling injuries for the past 18 months, Vernon said the highly-touted recruit is "healthy and good to go," noting his 20-point performance versus the Gaels.

Freshman Phoenix Wyse – a 6'5" forward - is "coming along really well," according to Vernon, pointing to his 20-point, 15-rebound stat line versus Queen's.

"Phoenix has been defending well and flying around," the X-Men bench boss added.

As for 6'0" first-year guard Owen Frayne (Cambridge, ON), Vernon said "we are going to rely on him a lot" as the backup to reigning AUS most valuable player D.J. Jackson (Mississauga, ON).

"He is definitely good enough to fill that role," he added.

Tre'von Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas), Lucas Mate (St. John's, NL) and Jayden Webley (Calgary, AB), along with Gabe Marcotullio (London, ON), a transfer from the Dalhousie Tigers, round out the new faces talking the court for the White and Blue.

When it comes to the dynamic Jackson, who Vernon indicated continues to "prepare for the next level," including a stint this summer with the Canadian Elite Basketball League's Calgary Surge, will be relied upon – once again – for his scoring and playmaking abilities.

Jeff Ngandu (Lubumbashi, Congo), a 6'9" forward, battled the injury bug last season. When in the White and Blue lineup, he was one of the top scoring and rebounding big men in the conference.

"We know that he can be dominant," Vernon said, noting he had been recovering from a broken finger during the pre-season.

Junior guard Koat Thomas (Kitchener, ON), a former AUS rookie of the year, is "ready for a great season," added the STFX mentor.

"They will be our nucleus," Vernon offered of the Jackson-Ngandu-Thomas trio.

Describing him as the "last link" to the X-Men's conference champion and U SPORTS silver-medal team in 2023, Vernon said fifth-year senior guard Matt Pennell (St. John's, NL) will be a key contributor with quality play, especially his outside shooting ability, not to mention his experience and leadership.

Junior guard Tariq Armstrong (London, ON), who is in his second campaign with the X-Men, will also be called upon to provide important minutes.  

Although there has been a changing of the guard in the AUS – with "a lot of really good players" having moved on – Vernon offered that "there is a lot of talent [in the conference]," and the X-Men will have to "always be prepared" for every game and every opponent.

As for the playing style he envisions for the White and Blue, he suggested, "Every game has a different story," noting the importance of possessing the ability to adapt.

When it comes to goals for this season, Vernon said, "Every year is the same – winning an AUS championship."

The X-Men will start that journey with a road trip to St. John's this weekend for games versus the Memorial Sea-Hawks – on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25. Tip-off for both matchups is 7:30 ADT.

STFX will welcome the Dalhousie Tigers for their regular season home opener on Wednesday, Oct. 29, on Coach K Court at the Saputo Centre at 8 p.m.

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