ANAHEIM, Calif. — After starting the season a perfect 5-0 at home, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball is on the road for the first time this year as they take part in the 2022 Paycom Wooden Legacy. This is the first trip to the Wooden Legacy for SMC since 2018, and their fourth appearance in the event overall, the most of any program in the field. All-time, the Gaels are 4-5 in the Wooden Legacy. A win on Wednesday would put the Gaels in the championship game, scheduled for 9:30 pm PT on ESPN2 on Thanksgiving night.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (5-0) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2)
Wednesday, November 23 at 9:00 pm
Anaheim Convention Center Arena – Anaheim, Calif.
Television: ESPN2 (Eric Rothman, Corey Williams)
Live Audio: The Varsity Network (Alex Jensen)
Watch |
Listen |
Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Washington Huskies (4-1)
Thursday, November 24 at 9:30 pm (win Wed.)
Anaheim Convention Center Arena – Anaheim, Calif.
Television: ESPN2 (Eric Rothman, Corey Williams)
Live Audio: The Varsity Network (Alex Jensen)
Watch |
Listen |
Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
Saint Mary's closed out their opening home stand with a 76-48 win over Hofstra on Saturday night, marking a perfect 5-0 start to the season. Saint Mary's has been dominant to begin the season, with an average margin of victory of 22, the best in the West Coast Conference. Their win over Hofstra saw
Alex Ducas go off for 20 points, including 6-7 from beyond the arc,
Mitchell Saxen recording his first double-double, and
Augustas Marciulionis setting a career-best with 14 points.
DOMINATING DEFENSE
Entering Saturday, Hofstra ranked ninth in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage, and the Gaels had struggled in that area defensively. That was not the case on Saturday night, with the Gaels defense holding Hofstra to just 1-16 from beyond the arc. The only three that was made came with less than two minutes remaining in the game. The defensive metrics for Saint Mary's continues to be impressive, as they now have the sixth-best defensive efficiency in the NCAA, per KenPom.
SMC AND THE WOODEN OPPONENTS
The Gaels do not have much history against their opening round opponent in Vanderbilt, with the Commodores having won all three previous matchups dating back to 2009. The two teams most recently met in 2015 during the National Invitation Tournament, where Vanderbilt took down Saint Mary's 75-64.
The Gaels have more history against both Washington and Fresno State. Saint Mary's earned their first program win over Washington in the 2018 NIT, with an 85-81 win inside University Credit Union Pavilion. The Gaels are 20-16 all-time against the Bulldogs, and most recently met them at Golden1 Center in Fresno, with Saint Mary's emerging with a 65-58 win.
The Gaels are the only program returning that has been in the tournament more than once, with previous trips in 2017, 2012, and 2008. Patty Mills was named to the All-Tournament team in 2008 as the lone member to do so. SMC is 4-5 all-time in the Wooden Legacy. Saint Mary's will also be the first team in the WCC to play in the Wooden since Pepperdine in 2019.
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM
All Saint Mary's Men's Basketball gameday programs will be virtual during the 2022-23 season, and the second edition can be found
HERE. In it, fans will find a recap of the season-opening home stand and information about upcoming opponents and tournaments.
2022-23 YEARBOOK
The 2022-23 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.
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