The Saint Mary’s Gaels, playing in the West Coast Conference, have watched Gonzaga make the Sweet 16 in each of the past three years, the Elite Eight in two of the past three years, and the Final Four last year. It is easy for the Gaels to be overshadowed and to play the role of being second-fiddle in the WCC, but this is expected to be a year in which they set the pace in their conference.
Last season, Gonzaga had a lot of roster stability, and the fact that Przemek Karnowski – the Zags’ huge center – had been injured the season before gave him another year of eligibility. That extra year gave GU a complete team, one which took full advantage and came within a few baskets of winning the national championship against North Carolina last April.
This year, however, Saint Mary’s is the WCC team with the stable roster. That is what head coach Randy Bennett is counting on as he tries to get his team back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010.
Offseason Changes
The biggest thing for the Gaels this season is the fact that they must deal with very few changes – Emmett Naar, Calvin Hermanson, Jock Londale are all back, with Naar being able to score from the wing, Londale dominating on the low blocks near the basket, and Hermanson being able to move in between and provide versatility in terms of enabling the Gaels to score from various spots on the floor. This is the true benefit to the Gaels: Their returning core of three is spread out over different parts of the court. It is not as though SMC is bringing back its whole backcourt or its whole frontcourt. The team is losing one important player from last year, guard Joe Rahon, who was clever and crafty and had a way of making tough shots against good defense. The balance in the returning starters for the Gaels will lend a lot of cohesion to their offense. The team will have to replace what it loses with Rahon, but for the most part, the Gaels are replacing role players, not centerpiece players.
Will Succeed If…
Their defense can contain quick guards – Saint Mary’s has a lot of size and length, but speed near the three-point line will be a concern. If the Gaels’ rotations and other defensive maneuvers can contain quicker ballhandlers and slashers, this team should be in very good shape. Bennett will be challenged to be at his best as a defensive coach this season. On offense, his job should be easier.
Won’t Succeed If…
The bench is a liability. The core group the Gaels have is excellent, but the rotation needs to find capable players for the sixth man role and into an eight-deep rotation. Part of this piece is that Bennett needs bodies who can capably play defense. The more good defenders he can find, the more he can balance out minutes over the course of the season and ensure that his core three of Londale, Hermanson and Naar is not overextended, especially in or near March.
Roster
Tanner Krebs
Jordan Hunter
Emmett Naar
Jock Perry
Elijah Thomas
Tommy Kuhse
Dan Sheets
Evan Fitzner
Calvin Hermanson
Jordan Ford
Kyle Clark
Jock Landale
Schedule & Outlook
The Gaels non-conference schedule isn’t too bad but they will have a couple of challenges along the way. Really, it comes down to two games for them. They’ll play Harvard on a neutral site on November 23rd and right after, they’ll go to California to face the Golden Bears. How they fare in those games will be a telling sign of their season.
The Gaels have the best team in the WCC. They should be able to finish above Gonzaga and make the NCAA Tournament, and then also win a game. The test is if this team can get a Sweet 16 spot. It will come very close and will need the right matchup in the round of 32.
The 2018 March Madness futures are out. There has been plenty of news to keep up with in the offseason but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest college basketball betting lines right here.
