AUS Men’s Basketball Mid-season Awards
UNB 4th year guard Marcus Barnes contests a shot from Memorial’s 4th year forward Josh Reiner in an 82-74 UNB victory over the Memorial on November 21st, 2025 in St Johns, NL. Photo by Udantha Chandraratne/MUN Athletics.
The first half of this year's AUS basketball season has been filled with several notable storylines, representing plenty of reason to be excited for the second half of the season. From Acadia’s surprise surge to the #1 overall seed to DJ Jackson’s second consecutive huge season for the X-Men, there is so much to be excited about when things tip off again this Friday. However, while we wait for Friday’s tipoff, we’ve been thinking about who would be deserving of awards if the season ended today. Who would win MVP? Coach of the year? Below, we will uncover who, if the season ended today, would be adding to their personal trophy case.
MVP: DJ Jackson - STFX X-MEN
DJ Jackson has been the most dominant force in the conference on both sides of the ball this year, and one of the most dominant forces in the country, full stop. Leading the AUS in scoring at 22.6 points per game, Jackson is the engine behind the league’s top offence in the X-Men and the primary reason why many think STFX will be contending for an AUS banner at Scotiabank next month. He scores at all three levels, commands defensive attention every possession, and still delivers in high-leverage moments, including huge performances like his 35-point game in a win against Memorial in the season opener or his 29-point performance in a win against the defending AUS champion UPEI Panthers. StFX doesn’t just win with Jackson on the floor; they bend games to his rhythm. MVP should be a representation of the player who is most valuable to their team, and halfway through the year, no player has meant more to their team’s identity or success than Jackson.
Honorable Mentions: Marcus Barnes (UNB), Lydell Husbands (Dalhousie)
COTY: Michael Leslie - Acadia Axemen
Acadia’s rise to the top of the standings has been system-driven, not star-dependent, and that’s why this award easily belongs to Coach Michael Leslie and his remarkable turnaround of this Acadia program in 2025. The Axemen boast the best defensive efficiency in the AUS, holding opponents to the fewest points per game, and consistently win games in various ways thanks to a diverse range of key players. They grind out road wins, efficient home performances, and statement defensive efforts against top competition, which was highlighted by the team's back-to-back victories against STFX, in which DJ Jackson was shut down by the Acadia defence. Acadia’s discipline, buy-in, and consistency represent elite coaching, and their first-half separation from the pack reflects preparation as much as talent.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Skinn (CBU), Tyrell Vernon (StFX)
DPOY: Connor Landell - UNB Reds
Defense doesn’t always pop in the box score, unless you’re Conner Landell. The AUS leader in rebounding (9.8 RPG) anchors UNB’s interior defence, erases second-chance opportunities, and sets the physical tone every night on the defensive side of the ball. His presence allows UNB to defend aggressively on the perimeter, knowing the paint is protected. On a REDS team built around defence and toughness, Landell is the foundation. If this award is about impact rather than highlights, he’s our clear mid-season choice, and a key piece to an exciting UNB team that hopes to make a run at their first AUS banner since 2018 in February.
Honorable Mentions: Devawn White (SMU), Liai Tong (CBU)
ROTY: Phoenyx Wyse - STFX X-men
Phoenyx Wyse isn’t just the best rookie; he’s already one of the most complete players in the conference. Averaging 14.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Wyse plays with veteran poise, impacts both ends of the floor, and has seamlessly stepped into a major role on a contending StFX squad in only his first year. Few first-year players influence winning as directly as the 6’5 talent out of St Michael’s College. Wyse rebounds like a senior, finishes through contact, and defends multiple positions. This isn’t a projection pick based on flashes of potential. Wyse is producing now, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he took home this award at the end of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Ben Dale (SMU), Tayshaun Thomas (CBU)
6th Man of the Year: Mathias Muscroft — UNB Reds
Every team needs a reliable spark off the bench who can shift the momentum of a game, and that’s exactly what Muscroft has been for the Reds so far this year. Muscroft is playing 26.9 minutes a night while starting just 1 game, and he’s giving the Reds a steady 8.0 points per game with real shot-making gravity (and a knack for timely buckets). When UNB’s offence stalls, he’s often the release valve who can hit a big three, make the extra pass, or settle the possessions down without hijacking a shot too early. Muscroft fits the exact profile of a true, reliable 6th man sixth man on a contending UNB team.
Honorable Mentions: Tayshaun Thomas (CBU), Tariq Armstrong (STFX)
