FRIDAY FIVE – December 17
12/17/2021 10:43:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
FRIDAY FIVE presents five facts about Saint Mary's teams that are in action, with things to look forward to during the upcoming week.
1. REALLY REBOUNDING
Saint Mary's Women's Basketball is one of the better rebounding teams in the NCAA, ranking second in the WCC and 46th in the NCAA in rebounding margin (+7.8). Head Coach Paul Thomas preached before the season that the Gaels would be a better rebounding team, and that has come to fruition early this year. Four times this season, the Gaels have been +15 or better on the boards, including a whopping +26 (53-27) against Fresno State.
2. TAYCEE'S TRIPLES
Taycee Wedin is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation. Despite missing one game, she ranks tenth in the NCAA in three-pointers made with 32 (best in the WCC), and is second in the country with 4.0 three-pointers made per game (Taylor Robertson, Oklahoma, 5.1). Wedin has made at least two triples in every contest this season, including four or more in five-straight games. Over her last five games, Wedin is averaging 20 points per game and is shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc.
3. HOME COOKING
Saint Mary's Men's Basketball has won their last 22 non-conference home games, and 27 of their last 28 dating back to 2018. The Gaels are a perfect 6-0 at home this season, and have not lost a home non-conference game since losing to Winthrop in the home opener during the 2019-20 season. SMC has two more home non-conference games this season, welcoming in Missouri State and Yale before the turn of the new year.
4. REDEMPTION TIME
Saint Mary's Men's Basketball is looking to find their rhythm against San Diego State on Friday night, at a neutral site game at the home of the Phoenix Suns. The Gaels and Aztecs met last year at Cal Poly, and the Aztecs ran away with a 74-49 win. Saint Mary's has not beaten SDSU since 2009, and in the two previous matchups, the Gaels have not scored more than 55 points. This matchup features two of the best defensive teams in the country, both ranking inside the top-ten in the NCAA in defensive efficiency.
5. THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT
After play on Tuesday, December 14, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball is one of eight teams in the NCAA with 10 wins (only San Francisco in the WCC has as many). All eight teams with 10 wins are ranked inside the top-61 according to KenPom, and all rank inside the top-100 in defensive efficiency.
#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
1. REALLY REBOUNDING
Saint Mary's Women's Basketball is one of the better rebounding teams in the NCAA, ranking second in the WCC and 46th in the NCAA in rebounding margin (+7.8). Head Coach Paul Thomas preached before the season that the Gaels would be a better rebounding team, and that has come to fruition early this year. Four times this season, the Gaels have been +15 or better on the boards, including a whopping +26 (53-27) against Fresno State.
2. TAYCEE'S TRIPLES
Taycee Wedin is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation. Despite missing one game, she ranks tenth in the NCAA in three-pointers made with 32 (best in the WCC), and is second in the country with 4.0 three-pointers made per game (Taylor Robertson, Oklahoma, 5.1). Wedin has made at least two triples in every contest this season, including four or more in five-straight games. Over her last five games, Wedin is averaging 20 points per game and is shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc.
3. HOME COOKING
Saint Mary's Men's Basketball has won their last 22 non-conference home games, and 27 of their last 28 dating back to 2018. The Gaels are a perfect 6-0 at home this season, and have not lost a home non-conference game since losing to Winthrop in the home opener during the 2019-20 season. SMC has two more home non-conference games this season, welcoming in Missouri State and Yale before the turn of the new year.
4. REDEMPTION TIME
Saint Mary's Men's Basketball is looking to find their rhythm against San Diego State on Friday night, at a neutral site game at the home of the Phoenix Suns. The Gaels and Aztecs met last year at Cal Poly, and the Aztecs ran away with a 74-49 win. Saint Mary's has not beaten SDSU since 2009, and in the two previous matchups, the Gaels have not scored more than 55 points. This matchup features two of the best defensive teams in the country, both ranking inside the top-ten in the NCAA in defensive efficiency.
5. THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT
After play on Tuesday, December 14, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball is one of eight teams in the NCAA with 10 wins (only San Francisco in the WCC has as many). All eight teams with 10 wins are ranked inside the top-61 according to KenPom, and all rank inside the top-100 in defensive efficiency.
#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
Players Mentioned
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