MBB | Gaels Predicted for Excellence Next Season
4/9/2019 2:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
According to college basketball experts across the nation, Saint Mary's will be among the country's top-25 teams to begin the 2019-20 season.
MORAGA, Calif. — Fresh off its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the past three years and 12th straight 20-plus win season, Saint Mary's is already forecasted to be a top-25 program in the upcoming 2019-20 season.
Multiple major publications have the Gaels pegged among their "Way Too Early Top-25" for next season, while ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Saint Mary's as a No. 7 seed going into next year's NCAA Tournament. Here's what college basketball's analysts and writers have to say about next year's Gaels:
Sports Illustrated: No. 19 | https://bit.ly/2I7T42v
"The Gaels are getting nearly everybody back and should be able to build on what ended up being a solid season, particularly with conference rival Gonzaga set to retool. Jordan Ford is a dynamic scorer, Malik Fitts is an underrated presence on the wing, and Randy Bennett should have these guys ready for another step forward. They're a bit of a dark horse coming in, but the group they have should continue to be solid." (Jeremy Woo)
ESPN: No. 21 | https://es.pn/2P2XU1G
"Randy Bennett's team snuck into the NCAA tournament with a West Coast Conference tournament title, but the Gaels shouldn't have as much trouble next season. Jordan Hunter is the lone senior, which means big-time scorer Jordan Ford and inside-outside threat Malik Fitts will be back to lead the way. Jock Perry is a player to watch in the paint. Even in a down year, Saint Mary's was one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country. The Gaels should pose more of a threat to Gonzaga in the WCC title race next season." (Jeff Borzello)
The Athletic: No. 19 | https://bit.ly/2G0WHnb
"The Gaels were one of the youngest teams in the country this season, but they finished the season strong, won the WCC tournament and gave Villanova a hard fight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing by four. They graduate only one senior. Ford and Fitts accounted for more than half of the team's scoring in conference play, and the Gaels should benefit from the return of redshirt freshman point guard Kristers Zoriks." (Seth Davis)
Stadium: No. 21 | https://bit.ly/2VxYgQ3
"Randy Bennett brings back Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts and Tanner Krebs – his top three scorers. His team made huge strides last season and I'd expect some of his young guys to make a jump next year." (Jeff Goodman)
SB Nation: No. 22 | https://bit.ly/2KjWOja
"The Gaels only got into the Big Dance because they stunned Gonzaga to win the WCC tournament. Their inclusion in the 2020 field of 68 shouldn't be laced with nearly as much drama." (Mike Rutherford)
NBC Sports: No. 18 | https://bit.ly/2YZSgBT
"WHO'S GONE: Jordan Hunter WHO'S BACK: Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts, Tommy Kuhse, Tanner Krebs, Dan Fotu, Jock Perry WHO'S COMING IN: Alex Ducas, Kyle Bowen." (Rob Rauster)
#GaelsRise – It's time to renew your season tickets for the 2019-20 basketball season. Make sure to renew by May 1 to receive the best price and benefits, including a meet the team event in June …call the SMC Ticket Office today at 925-631-4689, email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or click the ticket link above to renew your seats now…Saint Mary's Basketball…#GaelsRise
Multiple major publications have the Gaels pegged among their "Way Too Early Top-25" for next season, while ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Saint Mary's as a No. 7 seed going into next year's NCAA Tournament. Here's what college basketball's analysts and writers have to say about next year's Gaels:
Sports Illustrated: No. 19 | https://bit.ly/2I7T42v
"The Gaels are getting nearly everybody back and should be able to build on what ended up being a solid season, particularly with conference rival Gonzaga set to retool. Jordan Ford is a dynamic scorer, Malik Fitts is an underrated presence on the wing, and Randy Bennett should have these guys ready for another step forward. They're a bit of a dark horse coming in, but the group they have should continue to be solid." (Jeremy Woo)
ESPN: No. 21 | https://es.pn/2P2XU1G
"Randy Bennett's team snuck into the NCAA tournament with a West Coast Conference tournament title, but the Gaels shouldn't have as much trouble next season. Jordan Hunter is the lone senior, which means big-time scorer Jordan Ford and inside-outside threat Malik Fitts will be back to lead the way. Jock Perry is a player to watch in the paint. Even in a down year, Saint Mary's was one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country. The Gaels should pose more of a threat to Gonzaga in the WCC title race next season." (Jeff Borzello)
The Athletic: No. 19 | https://bit.ly/2G0WHnb
"The Gaels were one of the youngest teams in the country this season, but they finished the season strong, won the WCC tournament and gave Villanova a hard fight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing by four. They graduate only one senior. Ford and Fitts accounted for more than half of the team's scoring in conference play, and the Gaels should benefit from the return of redshirt freshman point guard Kristers Zoriks." (Seth Davis)
Stadium: No. 21 | https://bit.ly/2VxYgQ3
"Randy Bennett brings back Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts and Tanner Krebs – his top three scorers. His team made huge strides last season and I'd expect some of his young guys to make a jump next year." (Jeff Goodman)
SB Nation: No. 22 | https://bit.ly/2KjWOja
"The Gaels only got into the Big Dance because they stunned Gonzaga to win the WCC tournament. Their inclusion in the 2020 field of 68 shouldn't be laced with nearly as much drama." (Mike Rutherford)
NBC Sports: No. 18 | https://bit.ly/2YZSgBT
"WHO'S GONE: Jordan Hunter WHO'S BACK: Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts, Tommy Kuhse, Tanner Krebs, Dan Fotu, Jock Perry WHO'S COMING IN: Alex Ducas, Kyle Bowen." (Rob Rauster)
#GaelsRise – It's time to renew your season tickets for the 2019-20 basketball season. Make sure to renew by May 1 to receive the best price and benefits, including a meet the team event in June …call the SMC Ticket Office today at 925-631-4689, email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or click the ticket link above to renew your seats now…Saint Mary's Basketball…#GaelsRise
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