Super Scintillating Selections Top 30 Countdown: #17 Saint Mary’s Gaels

I had to do it. Although the West Coast Conference is one of the main reasons I have trust issues, Saint Mary’s is too good to ignore this year (please don't make me look like a fool coach). The Gaels claim a 25-5 overall record, with a 14-1 conference record. We will certainly be seeing them in the Big Dance in March, but can they really make a run?

Coach Randy Bennett is currently in his 22nd season at Saint Mary’s, and has had plenty of success

throughout those years, but the recent success is what's important here. They had an incredible season last year going undefeated at home, claiming a win over #1 ranked Gonzaga, and had one of the more impressive tournament games last year. They handed Indiana its worst loss in tournament history last year, beating them 82-53. In that game Saint Mary’s was a 5 seed and Indiana a 12.Saint Mary’s proved the doubters wrong and are looking to do it again this year and maybe sprinkle a couple more wins this time around.

Why can they silence the haters?

1. They can play at any pace. Saint Mary’s loves a good slow paced game, with limited possessions, and a lot of defense. That is their bread and butter, they want to make you play their game and control the tempo. They have been wildly successful at this all year, and that is what they are hoping to do in the postseason as well. But, if they were to go on a run there would be a game or two where the opposing team speeds up play a little bit and gets Saint Mary’s to play a little faster. Not to worry, they have proved to be able to hang in these types of games as well. Gonzaga, Oral Roberts, and New Mexico are the only teams to be able to do this to the Gaels, but only one team has been successful in the win column. The most impressive of these was the game against Gonzaga. There were 112 shots that game and 148 points scored, both well above average for a Saint Mary’s game. Although Gonzaga pushed them a little out of their comfort zone, the Gaels were able to collect themselves and play a modified version of their game and get the dubya. All this to say, if Saint Mary’s comes across a team that pushes the pace a little bit they won't back down nor will they be uncomfortable, they will just adapt a little bit.

1. 1st team all-defense. #4 in opponent points per game, #6 in adjusted defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions), #8 in FG allowed per game, and #1 in the nation in offensive rebounds allowed per game. The Gaels are among the nations best in locking up on defense and crashing the boards. These are the stats that win national championships, especially if you are competent on the offensive side of the ball, which they are.

What's holding them back?

1. Prep. Now, I don't want to sound like every other “expert" here, so I won't. I don't think Saint Mary’s conference schedule makes them any worse of a basketball team, it does however put them at a disadvantage to teams that have had 10 or 15+ quad one games on their schedule. I truly believe Saint Mary’s can hang with anyone in the country and are a very dangerous team headed into the tournament, but will their matchups in the regular season hurt them in March like it has to Gonzaga in the past? Maybe.

The hope I'm holding onto with them is that they played Houston, New Mexico, and San Diego State in their non-conference schedule. They lost two of those games, but were right there in it the whole game. There is a ton of fight and skill with this squad.

Players to watch: Aidan Mahaney (40.7 3P%), Logan Johnson (14.3 PPG), Alex Ducas (12.3 PPG), and Mitchell Saxen (12 PPG and 8 RPB).

My Prediction: Sweet 16

Next Game: Saturday 2/25 vs. Gonzaga