Season Preview: With core in place, can Panthers capture elusive championship?

By Thomas Becker

The championship was in their grasp.  After jumping on the Dalhousie Tigers for a quick 20-4 start, the game had the makings of a runaway victory.

Slowly, the Panthers watched as their lead and dreams slipped away. Down two with only seconds spare, Tyler Scott threw up a long-distance prayer. But it wasn't answered that night, as the defensive-minded Tigers clawed their way back to steal the crown.

With another year of added experience, the Panthers are back, poised for something special.

"That was then, this is now," said Panthers head coach Tim Kendrick. "We don't discuss it much, but when we do, we use it as motivation."

Led by second-team all-Canadian Scott, the team's nucleus returns for another crack at an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) title after a second place finish a season ago. Forwards Dut Dut and Milorad Sedlarevic return under Kendrick's system and join Scott as the team's "go-to" players.

"We expect a lot from them. We need those three to play well if want to get back to that championship game," Kendrick said.

Filling in for the departed Brad States – who finished fourth in scoring with 19 points per game – is three-point specialist and Summerside native Mark Matheson, who adds shooting to a lineup that ranked fifth with the long ball at 32.4 per cent. The UNB transfer finished second with the money ball, shooting it at a 41.5 per cent clip.

States' absence creates a void in the frontcourt, but with the new additions of Matheson and guards Shavon Gayle and Vishal Banipal the team's overall depth figures to be a strength.

"I think we did a pretty good job of bringing in skilled pieces who can help us compete."

While fifth-year veterans, Scott, Dut, Matheson, Lorenzo Parker and Jake Kendrick will get the spotlight in their final seasons, Kendrick realizes the next corps of Panther standouts have to contribute in big ways to contend. Starting point guard Amin Suleman and forwards Sedlarevic, Stefan Vujisic and Hugh McLarty are expected to play key roles for a deeper Panthers lineup.

Kendrick's up-tempo system that relied heavily on the one-two punch of Scott and States a year ago has shifted to a more balanced approach. Whether it's Matheson's shooting touch, or Dut's inside presence, the Panthers will be a harder team to match up against and defend.

But it all starts with Scott. With a chip on his shoulder and enough talent to lead a team to the promised land, he's primed for another MVP-calibre season after posting 25.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest in 2015-16.

"When the great ones are near the end they really want to finish with a bang," Kendrick said of his star. "I think Tyler will give us everything he can to bring a championship back to Charlottetown."

Standing in their path, however, is a minefield of talented competition – Dalhousie are two-time defending champions, Saint Mary's has the biggest lineup, Acadia is loaded with three-point shooters and UNB has the reigning MVP on its side. In a league with this much diversity, there's really nowhere to hide.

"People don't realize how hard it is to win in our league. There are a lot of good teams to contend with."

The Panthers will begin the season at home where they're unmatched. Entering his sixth-season as UPEI's bench boss, Kendrick has led the Panthers to a 43-6 home record.

"We really feel we have to defend our home court to be successful," Kendrick said. "We're going to be exciting to watch and we're excited to get started."

The Panthers will take on the St. F.X. X-Men in back-to-back contests Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.

Party with the Panthers on opening night

 To open the inaugural basketball season on Friday, Nov. 4, UPEI Athletics and Recreation invites you, the fan, to experience Panther Basketball Opening Night like never before.

The night features a pre-game light show and player introduction in the newly renovated gymnasium at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. The first 500 fans will receive Courtside Day T-shirts courtesy of Courtside Sneakers and a chance to win great prizes. The evening will be capped off with a special guest appearance of the award-winning P.E.I. band, Paper Lions.

After the games, meet players like AUS second-team all-Canadian Tyler Scott of your men's basketball Panthers. Meet women's basketball player Karla Yepez, who played for the Ecuadorian national team, along with fellow international standout Carolina Del Santos out of Barcelona Spain. And finally with the men's hockey team playing that night, don't miss your chance at meeting former NHL prospects Austin Levi (third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2010) and Cody Payne (fifth-round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2012).

Panther Package holders get first crack at the new stadium-style seats located in the gymnasium, so get yours fast. You can reserve and personalize your seat for an additional $25.