LANGLEY, British Columbia – With Aaron Muhic taking over as the Spartans head coach, a new era has arrived at Trinity Western, as the Alaskan-born coach looks to rebuild a basketball program that not long ago was a playoff regular.

Coming off a 2-18 regular season in 2014-15, the Spartans have brought eight new players into the fold and, despite Kelvin Smith being the only returning starter, it's a new day in Langley and one that is fresh with plenty of optimism for the future.

The Spartans open their season this weekend when they host Victoria Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (7 p.m.) at the Langley Events Centre. The games will be streamed live online at www.canadawest.tv.

2015 MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
2014-15 CW Regular Season Record: 2-18
2014-15 CW Playoff Record: NA
2014-15 Overall Record: 2-18
 
Last CW Title/Total CW Titles: NA/0
Last CIS Title/Total CIS Titles: NA/0
 
Number of New Players: 8
Key Recruits: Lucas Mannes (G/Chilliwack, BC/GW Graham), Dean Richey (F/Spokane, Wash./Lewis and Clark), Sebastian Eliasen (W/Ballerup, Denmark/Stevnsgade)
 
Number of departing players: 5
Key Losses: Justin Bakuteka (G/4), Denny McDonald (F/3), Taylor Heinrichs (F/4), Nick Tancon (G/1)

Key Performer
Kelvin Smith is the lone returning starter from last year's roster. With so much turnover and a new coach, the Spartans will have to rely on the veteran to help guide the offence. Last year Smith averaged 8.0 points per game, but as the only returning player who was amongst the Spartans top five in scoring last year, he'll be expected to take a big step forward in his final year in the CIS.
 
Coach Quote
"Win or lose, I need the guys to compete at a championship level with our effort," said Spartans coach Aaron Muhic. "What does that look like? To me it means sharing the ball on offence, taking good shots on offence and selling out on defence. With me it's all about effort, which is measured by these guys' hearts and knowing they gave their very best and also knowing they competed to the best of their abilities. We're going to be a team that backs each other up defensively and rebounds as a team and wins 50-50 balls and, offensively, our goal is just to get the best shot for our team, not just the best shot for individuals."
 
Season Storyline
With a new coach and their starting five nearly entirely turned over, the Spartans are something of a question mark entering the season. However, two things are a certainty: this year's team will be a hard-working group at both ends of the floor and success will only be achieved with a full team effort. Newcomers Lucas Mannes, who is back with TWU after playing one semester with the Spartans in the spring of 2014, and Dean Richey, who transferred from the Community Colleges of Spokane, will help lead the offense but if the Spartans are to put together a successful season, TWU will need contributions from their entire roster.