Saint Mary’s Gaels
WCC (28-5, 16-2)
Saint Mary’s has had another very good season and is back in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. Last year the Gaels knocked off VCU before losing to Arizona. This year they will hope to get to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in the modern era.
Big Wins: 11/13 New Mexico State (92-74), 12/30 at BYU (74-64), 1/18 at Gonzaga (74-71)
Bad Losses: 11/24 vs Washington State (79-84), 11/26 vs Georgia (81-83), 2/15 at San Francisco (63-70)
Coach: Randy Bennett
Why They Can Surprise:
The Gaels have the pieces to be a very dangerous team in the tournament. This is an experienced group that is very efficient offensively and rarely gives the opposition anything easy. Jock Landale is the super star of the team, averaging 21.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks. The 6-11 senior has been a dominating force in the paint throughout his collegiate career and you can be sure he wants to end it on a high note. With Landale garnering so much attention in the paint, the shooters for the Gaels get open looks. And they knock them down. Calvin Hermanson, Jordan Ford and Tanner Krebs are all prolific three-point shooters who have taken advantage of the attention paid to Landale. Emmett Naar is the player who sets up all of the shooters. The senior point guard dishes out 8.0 assists per game and scored 10.1.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This team has not had many opportunities to pick up big wins, but they do not have many either. Are they ready for NCAA Tournament quality competition? They played well last year as a seven seed so this group knows what they are getting into. One place where the Gaels need to be careful is on the glass. Obviously Landale has been effective, but he will need some help, especially against teams that have multiple big men on the floor at the same time. We may have to see more of Evan Fitzner and Jordan Hunter than usual just so the frontcourt has the size to compete defensively.
Probable Starters:
Emmett Naar, Senior, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 8.0 apg
Jordan Ford, Sophomore, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 1.6 apg
Tanner Krebs, Sophomore, Guard, 7.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Calvin Hermanson, Senior, Forward, 11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Jock Landale, Senior, Center, 21.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 bpg
Key Role Players:
Cullen Neal, Senior, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Evan Fitzner, Junior, Forward, 4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Jordan Hunter, Junior, Center, 2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.1 (83rd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.8 (11, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 51.5 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.5 (151, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.7 (166, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 40.8 (10, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.5 (14, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.7 (29, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.8 (53, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.7 (4, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over VCU
2017 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Arizona
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
*all team stats through 3/4
