MORAGA, Calif. — The 2021-22 Saint Mary's Men's Basketball season tips off on Tuesday, November 9 inside University Credit Union Pavilion as the Gaels welcome in Prairie View A&M for the season opener. This marks the first time since the 2018-19 season opener that the Gaels have begun the season at home.
 
THE DETAILS
Game No. 1 vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers (0-0)
Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 pm
University Credit Union Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Tickets
Gaels all-time head-to-head record: 1-0 (last meeting: 11/16/16, H, SMC 110 – PVAMU 72)
 
THE SEASON IS HERE!
Saint Mary's enters the 2021-22 season in a different situation than the previous year. Entering 2020-21 with just returning players and losing over 72 percent of the team's scoring, the Gaels are one of just two teams in the NCAA bringing back 100 percent of the team's minutes. Every player from last year's team will return, with three newcomers joining the fold.
 
Logan Johnson will return as one of the leaders of this year's team, after finishing his junior season with 13.3 points per game, landing on the All-WCC Second Team for his efforts. The preseason All-WCC selection will be joined in the backcourt by Tommy Kuhse, returning for his sixth season in Moraga, and his second on scholarship. Back from an ankle injury that hampered much of his 2020-21 season, Alex Ducas will look to recapture his shooting magic that saw him average 11.3 points per game before his injury. Dan Fotu and Matthias Tass will loom large in the paint, looking to build on junior seasons that saw them average 19.3 points per game and 10.5 rebounds between the two.
 
GAELS IN THE PRESEASON POLLS
Saint Mary's received 63 votes in the preseason WCC Coaches Poll to trail only Gonzaga (81) and BYU (72) in the projected polls. Loyola Marymount (56) is directly behind the Gaels, after being projected to finish seventh last year, while San Francisco (49) and Santa Clara (45) are close behind. Last year, the Gaels finished fourth in the WCC after the KenPom Adjusted Winning Percentages were used.
 
Logan John found himself earning preseason All-WCC honors for the first time in his career at the same time the polls were released. Johnson raised his game to a new level during his first full season as a starter, especially during ­­conference play. The junior has averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in Saint Mary's 10 conference games and led the team in scoring across the entire season.  His 49.6 shooting percentage in league play was second best on the team and even more impressive considering his guard position. For the season, Johnson shot 45.5 percent overall. 
 
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Tuesday's season opener against Prairie View A&M will be streamed live on the WCC Network, with Alex Jensen and Dave Lewis on the broadcast. Jensen returns for his tenth season as "The Voice of the Gaels," and will be joined by Lewis for select games for the first time since the 2019-20 season. For those who prefer an audio-only feed, The Varsity Network will be carrying Gaels games during the 2021-22 season for free. The Varsity Network conveniently brings together free live gameday broadcasts for hundreds of schools during various sports seasons, original content and national college programming such as College Sports Now, College Football Blitz and the new College Football Saturday Night with Mike Golic and Kate Scott. Fans can download The Varsity Network app and search for Saint Mary's Basketball. TuneIn Radio will also carry Saint Mary's Basketball once again, but will require a paid subscription.
 
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM
All Saint Mary's Men's Basketball gameday programs will be virtual during the 2021-22 season, and the first edition can be found HERE. In it, fans will find a season preview for the 2021-22 season, player profiles, and information on the first four opponents of the season.
 
2021-22 YEARBOOK
The 2021-22 Saint Mary's Basketball Yearbook is available HERE. This contains all of your information on both Saint Mary's basketball programs, coach and player profiles, as well as Saint Mary's, administration, and fan information.
 
GAMEDAY PROTOCOLS
Saint Mary's College and Saint Mary's Athletics continue to follow Contra Costa County COVID-19 guidelines for all events on campus. A few quick items can be found below:

• Gates open 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
• New front courtyard area and inside concession stands open 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
• Fans must have a COVID 19 Vaccine Screened wristband for entry into UCU Pavilion
  • Screening stations will be located outside the front entry doors and out front in the courtyard area.
• Fans will be allowed to exit the Pavilion at halftime to enjoy food and beverages in the courtyard area.
  • Fans must re-enter UCU before the first media time out in the second half (approximately 4 minutes into the second half).
• MASKS must be worn at all times inside UCU Pavilion unless actively eating or drinking.  
• All fans are encouraged to utilize clear bags when attending events at UCU Pavilion. No outside food or drinks are allowed in UCU Pavilion at any time.  As a courtesy to others, no large backpacks or coolers are allowed in UCU Pavilion.  

A complete 2021-22 Men's Basketball Gameday guide can be found HERE.
 
ABOUT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
The Panthers went an unbeaten 13-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play to win the regular season title during the 2020-21 campaign. They ultimately lost the SWAC Tournament championship to Texas Southern 80-61, losing out on an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament (SMC will host Texas Southern on Friday). The Panthers will have a group of eight returning from last year's team, including SWAC Preseason Player of the Year pick Daniels.Daniels led the team in scoring (15.4 points/game), a mark that was sixth amongst all SWAC players.  He also ranked ninth in rebounds per game with 6.1, second in field percentage (.541) and eighth in three-point field goals per game (1.7). Also back is forward Jerroda Briscoe, who averaged 3.8 and 2.8 rebounds/game, and DeWayne Cox, who averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest.
 
#GaelsRise — 2021-22 tickets and ticket packages are on sale now! To purchase tickets, click HERE. If you have questions, contact the ticket office by email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or call 925-631-4689…Saint Mary's Basketball…#TogetherAgain