It will be a uniquely different style when the Trinity Western Spartans take the court for the Canada West basketball season.

Last season, the men鈥檚 squad was one win short in their quest for a national championship, falling in the CIS gold medal game to the Carleton Ravens.

But while last year鈥檚 squad was more of an inside-outside team, the 2011-12 Spartans will be more of an uptempo attacking style.

鈥淲e have to play to our strengths,鈥� said coach Scott Allen, predicting the team will be more exciting by employing full-court pressure, a lot of slashing and cutting and an ability to hit the long ball on offence.

And while last year鈥檚 success was great, this is a new year with different players expected to lead.

鈥淟ike everybody else, it is a clean slate and we have to pave our own way,鈥� Allen said.

The key will be finding consistency on the defensive end.

鈥淚 think we can score with just about everybody, I don鈥檛 think that is going to be an issue,鈥� he said.

Kyle Coston and Calvin Westbrook, key cogs last year, are expected to take on bigger roles.

The Spartans open the season ranked eighth in the country. And by virtue of the program鈥檚 best-ever finish, Allen knows teams will be gunning for the Spartans.

鈥淚 think everybody is going to be coming out to get us,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he guys have to understand we have a target on our backs.鈥�

The men's team opens the season with a pair of games against the Victoria Vikes at the 91原创 Events Centre.