(Photo: The Chronicle Herald)

In the X-Men locker room before Saturday's game, coach Steve Konchalski took his players through the game plan.

"Transitional defense, getting back on defense is critical against these guys," he said referring to the fast-paced Saint Mary's Huskies, arch rivals and the night's opponents.

Coach K, as he's known in Canadian university basketball circles, was relaxed ahead of the final game of the regular season. He could be, after all, his team was on a roll and weeks ago locked down first place in the competitive Atlantic conference.

Just after tipoff, Saint Mary's ran up a ten-point lead. Konchalski called a time-out and the ease he carried into the game was gone. He let into his squad, demanding they pick up the pace.

For anyone in the packed gym, this change in behaviour was no surprise, certainly not to the opposing coach. Ross Quackenbush has faced Konchalski countless times in his 23 years as Saint Mary's coach.

"It's been pretty competitive, he's very intense, he really wants to win, his teams have always been competitive", he said.

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