2023-24 Men's Basketball Season Recap

Written by Thomas Scott

The Tigers capped off another season with an AUS title and a fourth-place finish on the national stage.

It was one of the tightest seasons in the AUS in recent memory, with all teams finishing within four wins of one another. Along with injuries for Dal, the team had to overcome many struggles.

“I was very proud of them as a team. They overcame a lot of adversity,” says head coach Rick Plato.

Malcolm Christie was exceptional all season, single-handedly taking over games. He won the AUS MVP and was named U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian, averaging 22.1 points per game and broke the AUS 3-point record this season. 

“What he did this season speaks for itself,” says Plato.

On November 25, Christie scored 51 points on 26 shots. He made eight 3-pointers and scored all 15 of his free throws in the fourth highest scoring game in AUS history.

The Tigers finished 5-4 in the first semester, ending it with a 90-79 loss to the UNB Reds despite Christie’s heroic efforts. 

It was a game the Tigers had to grind, shooting just 28.6 per cent from the field. The Reds shot 36.2 per cent from the field but shot 51.7 per cent from the charity stripe. Maillet recorded a near triple-double, dropping eight points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the win.

Maillet was excellent all season long, being a key player for the Tigers on both ends. Maillet was by far the best playmaker in the AUS this season. The 2021-22 AUS Defensive Player of the Year recorded the most assists in the conference with 132, the 11th most in conference history.

“We go as Sam goes. He’s the leader of the team on both ends with the energy he brings along with his enthusiasm and leadership,” says Plato.

Ngala turned it on in the second semester. In the nine games, the 2022-23 AUS first team all-star played over 20 minutes in the second semester, he averaged 19.2 points per game.

“He's one of the best players in the country,” says Plato.

The Tigers finished the season 11-9 and ended it with a dominant 100-79 win over the defending AUS champion StFX X-Men. Christie scored 32 points, Ngala scored 25, and Jayden Parker scored 20.

AUS Championship

The next weekend, the Tigers would take the AUS Championship themselves. It was a dominant 90-75 semi-final victory over SMU, with 37 points from Ngala, the seventh-most points scored in a playoff game. 

In the finals, Dal won an overtime thriller against the STFX X-Men, winning the program its 10th AUS title in the 77-67 victory. 

Maillet scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win, missing just one field goal.

"It's his best offensive game, bar none, throughout his Dal career,” says Plato.

Nationals

The Tigers focus quickly shifted to nationals, hosted by the Laval Rouge et Or. Dal’s quarter-final matchup was the OUA finalist Brock Badgers.

It was a dominant showing from Dal, downing the Badgers 68-51, backed by 26 points from Christie, to advance to the U SPORTS semi-final.

Dal would have to beat the hosts, Laval, to advance to the national final. Dal had trouble against Laval’s size, getting outrebounded 41-26. Haris Elezovic tallied 20 points and 13 rebounds while missing just one shot, eliminating the Tigers in an 85-74 Laval win.

Dal played for bronze on the final day of the U SPORTS Final 8. Despite 31 points from Christie, Dal fell 91-83 against the uOttawa Gee-Gees. 

Dal finished the season fourth nationally and took home an AUS championship. “Because of the youth on the team, I'm very optimistic about next year,” says Plato. Christie was named the team’s MVP and Dalhousie’s co-Male Athlete of the Year. Lydell Husbands-Browne was named the Tiger of the year. Christie and Husbands-Browne both also earned their three-year D’s for representing the Tigers for three seasons.