The University of Victoria Vikes men’s basketball team has plenty to celebrate this week, even as they prepare for a critical bronze medal showdown against the University of Manitoba.
Head coach Murphy Burnatowski has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year, a prestigious honour recognizing his leadership in guiding the Vikes to a dominant 20-0 regular season.
Burnatowski, in his first season at the helm of the program, guided his side to a perfect 20-0 conference season, marking the fourth undefeated conference season in program history and the first since 1983-84.
Despite suffering their first loss of the year last weekend, Burnatowski remains focused on the bigger picture.
"It's always nice to be voted by my peers and guys who have been doing this a lot longer than me, and a lot of guys that I respect greatly," said Burnatowski. "But we have a huge opportunity tonight to propel to the next step, that's what makes today so special."
That task is securing a spot in the U SPORTS Final eight tournament, which the Vikes can do with a victory Friday (March 7).
While last week’s loss ended their perfect season, Burnatowski believes it has only strengthened their resolve.
"We got away from practising hard those last few weeks, and I think that kind of hurt us," he admitted. "Getting the monkey off our back of an undefeated season with the pressure that comes with it. We have a chance to show everyone that we're not done yet."
The Vikes will lean on Canada West Defensive Player of the Year Sam Maillet, a fifth-year standout who has been a cornerstone of the team’s success. Previously winning the award in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) in 2021-22,
"To win this award again, three years later in another conference, just speaks to how impressive he is on the defensive end and how versatile he is," said Burnatowski. "He brings leadership qualities and toughness that seep through the entire team."
Maillet averaged 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 Canada West season, ranking eighth in the league with 4.0 assists per game. While his 2.1 assist/turnover ratio tied for third-best in Canada West for the year.
The University of Manitoba, top seed from the prairies, presents a formidable challenge, bringing a holding a 17-5 record on the year and comes to Victoria following an 87-79 loss to UBC in the semifinals, on March 1.
"They play hard. We have to make sure we aren’t getting outplayed in terms of effort and energy, because that’s how they hurt teams," Burnatowski noted. "They have two all-league players in Daren Watts and Mason Kraus that, at any moment, can go off."
Despite adversity, including the midseason loss of star player Diego Maffia, the Vikes remain confident.
"We all believe there’s no team in this country that we can’t beat," Burnatowski stated. "But we also know that when we're not playing our best basketball, we’re very much able to beat ourselves."
With contributions from up and down the lineup, the Vikes’ depth has been a strength all season, including Renoldo Robinson averaging 15.1 per-game, and Ethan Bogg totalling 13.2 per game throughout the season.
"Any given day is someone else's night," Burnatowski said. "We've had career highs by almost everyone this year that's been a part of this program. The guys have been really good at accepting whatever roles they've been given, and stepping up in the moments we need them."
As the Vikes take the court tonight, Burnatowski knows exactly what his team needs to do to secure the win.
"We need to play our brand of basketball," he said. "They try to speed you up. They try to get in your head. We know what we're capable of when we play together and play unselfish basketball. As long as we're playing our brand of basketball, I don't think there's anyone better in the country."
Tip-off for tonight’s game against Manitoba is set for 7 p.m. at CARSA, with a chance to keep the Vikes’ national championship hopes alive.
