With its superstars out of the lineup, the Huskies men’s basketball team still managed to win its third straight Graham Shootout title this past weekend at the Physical Activity Complex.

The Shootout is an annual preseason round-robin tournament in which the Dogs host four top-10 teams from throughout Canada. Graham Construction has sponsored the tournament since 2008.

Saskatchewan finished this year’s shootout with a 2-1 record by defeating the Acadia Axemen 84-69 and the Alberta Golden Bears 78-74 but falling 91-83 to the Windsor Lancers.

While the Lancers did defeat the Huskies, their 1-2 record kept them out of title contention.

Saskatchewan — despite finishing with the same record as the 2-1 Bears — were crowned winners because they had defeated Alberta in the round-robin.

The Axemen also finished with a 1-2 record.

Huskies’ top forward Michael Lieffers did not play in the tournament because he was playing for team Canada at the Pan-Am games in Mexico. All-star guard Jamelle Barrett was out with a knee injury.

“We need Barrett healthy for conference play, so there is no point in trying to bring him back too soon,” said Huskies head coach Barry Rawlyk, noting that Barrett’s injury is not serious and that he would be back before conference play starts on Nov. 5.

Rawlyk also added that with his two stars sitting out, the tournament allowed him to give younger players significant playing time and to see who might step up as his top players this season.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to measure ourselves not only as a team but for every player to be able to see what they need to do and the level they need to play at,” said Rawlyk.

With the departure of shooting guard Raejen Chabot, who finished his five years of eligibility last season, fifth-years Peter Lomuro and Duncan Jones have emerged as the top contenders for the second guard position.

Lomuro, a recruit from the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, put up 49 points and 4 steals on the weekend and was named the Shootout’s most valuable player.

Jones, who has been with the Huskies since 2008, was expected to start last season but was forced to split playing time after Chabot decided to return. His 61 points in the tournament earned him an all-star mention.

Rawlyk pointed out that though both players are listed as guards on the roster, Lomuro’s versatility from the guard to forward position will allow Jones and Lomuro to be on the court at the same time.

“They’ve been sharing a lot of time and are compatible players,” said Rawlyk. With Barrett, Jones and Lomuro on at the same time, “It’s like a three-guard system.”

“We have a lot of good players from guards to forwards and we have 12 guys who can come in and out of the game,” added Huskies forward Nolan Brudehl.

Brudehl, a fourth-year player who started for the Dogs last season, is expected to make an even bigger impact this year.

“Nolan’s emerged into a leader for our team,” said Rawlyk. “He started for us last year but he’s obviously playing a more prominent role all the time.”

Brudehl, who was also named a tournament all-star, put up 37 points and had 32 rebounds in the three games.

“I’m trying to be a leader out there,” he said. “I’ve been through three of these tournaments already, so I’m just showing some of the younger guys how it’s done and how to play out there.”

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Photos: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf