Saint Mary’s Gaels
West Coast (27-6, 14-2)
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The international favorite in this year’s field may be the Gaels of Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s has just as many players from different countries as they do players from different states in the United States. The roster includes only two states: California with ten players and Oregon with two, while the Gaels have landed four players from Australia and another from Lithuania. Who knew there was a direct pipeline from Moraga, California to the land down under?
Big Wins: 1/16 at BYU (70-69), 2/21 BYU (64-57), 2/23 Creighton (74-66)
Bad Losses: 11/23 vs Pacific (66-76), 11/25 vs Georgia Tech (56-65), 12/23 at Northern Iowa (75-82)
Coach: Randy Bennett (11 seasons at Saint Mary’s)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Gaels can surprise because the everyday fan really doesn’t know much about them. But to fans on the West Coast, Saint Mary’s is well known. They go back and forth with the other WCC foe, Gonzaga, as the powers of the conference. Matthew Dellavedova is one of the more exciting players to watch in college basketball these past few seasons. This year the senior Aussie is averaging 15.8 points a game, and even with all that scoring, still dishes out more than six assists a game. The Gaels can turn to others though when opponents lock in on Dellavedova. Stephen Holt, Beau Levesque, and Brad Waldow all average double digits in scoring. The Gaels may not have as much physical size, but they do have height with five players at 6’9’’ or taller and two more at 6’7”.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Gaels can play with most teams, especially if they have a good shooting night. The squad shoots almost 48 percent from the floor, which ranks in the top 18th in the country and their 76.3 points a game average is in the top 25. However, the Gaels haven’t faced a very tough schedule playing in a league with only four teams with winning records. While Saint Mary’s managed to sweep BYU, the second best opponent in the WCC, they failed to win either of the games against conference leader Gonzaga, arguably the toughest two games on their schedule. An injury to Jorden Page does not help matters and he will likely miss at least the beginning of the postseason.
Probable Starters:
Matthew Dellavedova, Senior, Guard, 15.8 ppg, 6.4 apg
Stephen Holt, Junior, Guard, 11.8 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.4 rpg
Beau Levesque, Junior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Brad Waldow, Sophomore, Forward, 10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Mitchell Young, Senior, Forward, 7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Matt Hodgson, Junior, Center, 3.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Jorden Page, Junior, Guard, 6.4 ppg, 1.8 apg
James Walker III, Junior, Guard, 6.9 ppg, 1.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.3 (21st in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.4 (95, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.8 (18, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (119, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (29, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.9 (34, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.9 (55, 1)
Rebound Margin: 9.1 (6, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.8 (58, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.1 (73, 3)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
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 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
