Saint Mary’s Gaels
West Coast (28-4, 16-2)
Outside of an early season loss to Texas-Arlington, the only time Saint Mary’s lost during the 2016-2017 season was to Gonzaga. Those are certainly not bad losses. However, the Gaels have the same problem that Gonzaga usually has; the schedule has not been tough and it remains to be seen if the Gaels are prepared to make a deep run in March.
Big Wins: 11/11 Nevada (81-63), 11/19 at Dayton (61-57), 2/18 at BYU (70-57)
Bad Losses: 12/8 Texas-Arlington (51-65), 1/14 at Gonzaga (56-79), 2/11 Gonzaga (64-74)
Coach: Randy Bennett
Why They Can Surprise:
Saint Mary’s defense has been stellar this season and they can stick with just about anybody. The opposition scores just 56.6 points per game, which ranks second only to Virginia in the country. The emergence of junior center Jock Landale has given the Gaels a true force in the paint. Landale leads the team with 16.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks and he will team up with fellow center Evan Fitzner to give this Saint Mary’s team a very big frontcourt. Dane Pineau will play starters minutes off the bench and is a very good rebounder and shot blocker. Throw Jordan Hunter into the mix and the Gaels can go toe to toe in the paint with most teams in the country.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The group on the perimeter is talented too. Emmett Naar and Joe Rahon are both great passers who do an amazing job taking care of the basketball. Naar dishes out 5.8 assists per game with 2.4 turnovers, while Rahon adds 5.7 assists and just 1.7 turnovers per game. That is impressive. This is an offense that is extremely efficient in all aspects of the game. However, the Gaels lack that super talented leader on the perimeter that the great Saint Mary’s teams usually have. Calvin Hermanson, a 6-6 wing, is a fine perimeter scorer and a very dangerous outside shooter, but the leadership role has moved into the paint with Landale. The Gaels do not need a Patty Mills or Matthew Dellavedova to make a decent run in March, but having a leader who can also handle the ball is very important during the NCAA Tournament. Rahon and Naar will need to have big games for Saint Mary’s to make a run to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.
Probable Starters:
Joe Rahon, Senior, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.8 rpg
Emmett Naar, Junior, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 5.8 apg
Calvin Hermanson, Junior, Forward, 13.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Evan Fitzner, Sophomore, Center, 5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Jock Landale, Junior, Center, 16.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.2 rpg
Key Role Players:
Dane Pineau, Senior, Forward, 6.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 rpg
Jordan Hunter, Sophomore, Center, 1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Tanner Krebs, Freshman, Guard, 3.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.2 (204th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 56.1 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.8 (6, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (43, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.7 (68, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.3 (25, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.4 (46, 1)
Rebound Margin: 10.0 (2, 1)
Assists Per Game: 16.8 (17, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.5 (16, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NIT First Round win over New Mexico State
2016 NIT Second Round win over Georgia
2016 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Valparaiso
2015 NIT First Round loss to Vanderbilt
2014 NIT First Round win over Utah
2014 NIT Second Round loss to Minnesota
2013 NCAA Opening Round win over Middle Tennessee
2013 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Memphis
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Purdue
2011 NIT First Round loss to Kent State
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Richmond
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Villanova
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Baylor
2009 NIT First Round win over Washington State
2009 NIT Second Round win over Davidson
2009 NIT Quarterfinal loss to San Diego State
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Miami
2005 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Southern Illinois
*all team stats through 3/5
