MORAGA, Calif. — At long last, the start to the 2022-23 men's basketball season for Saint Mary's is right around the corner. After one of the best seasons in recent memory for SMC last year, the Gaels begin the new year on Monday night inside University Credit Union Pavilion. The opponent to begin the season is a difficult one in Oral Roberts, who made the Sweet 16 two years ago during the NCAA Tournament. The game caps off an exciting day on campus, with a women's basketball game before it and multiple pregame parties on the Pavilion Plaza.
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
Monday, November 7 at 7:00 pm
University Credit Union Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Watch | Live Audio | Live Stats | Get Tickets
 
WHAT A SEASON!
Saint Mary's enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent memory in 2021-22, capping it off with a trip to the NCAA Tournament and the Second Round. Many accolades and firsts were accomplished along the way, making last season one of the most memorable and special in program history.
 
The Gaels made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed, their best seed ever recorded in Saint Mary's history, and they beat Indiana in the opening round of the tournament, their sixth-ever NCAA Tournament win. Along the way, Saint Mary's beat No. 1-ranked Gonzaga at home on Senior Night to check a few things off: the first unbeaten season (16-0) inside University Credit Union Pavilion, and their second-ever win against the top-ranked team in the country.
 
Along the way, the Gaels also had other special moments, including their first-ever trip to the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Saint Mary's scored wins over Notre Dame and Oregon in the tournament, and held a 10-point lead in the championship game over Wisconsin before dropping the contest. Saint Mary's also saw four players earn All-WCC honors from the conference (Tommy Kuhse and Matthias Tass, First Team…Alex Ducas and Logan Johnson, Second Team), as well as head coach Randy Bennett earning his fourth WCC Coach of the Year award.
 
WHAT'S OLD, WHAT'S NEW
Four starters from last year's team return for the 2022-23 Gaels, led by fifth-year guard Logan Johnson and senior sharpshooter Alex Ducas. Both players were named to the preseason All-WCC team after finishing last year with Second Team All-WCC honors. Johnson averaged 11.9 points per game and his 67 steals last season are the second-most in a single season in SMC history. Ducas set career-bests in points per game (10.3) and made three-pointers (67), while making every start on the year.
 
Augustas Marciulionis will join the Johnson and Ducas in the backcourt, after making 13 starts as a true freshman last season. Kyle Bowen returns as a senior starter in the front court, and he will be joined in the post by junior center Mitchell Saxen, who is projected to start for the Gaels for the first time in his career.
 
After returning the entire roster last season, the Gaels bring on five new faces this season in what could be one of the best recruiting classes for head coach Randy Bennett in recent seasons. Aidan Mahaney is the standout of the bunch, a local product from Campolindo High School. He won a host of awards, including Bay Area News Group Player of the Year and MaxPreps All-State, and could start immediately for the team. Harry Wessels is the latest Australian to join the Gaels, a 7-1 center from Boddington who was recently called up to the Australian Boomers national team during the summer. Joshua Jefferson is another outstanding freshman for the Gaels, the reigning Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada Boys Athlete of the Year from Liberty High School.
 
ABOUT ORAL ROBERTS
The conversation about Oral Roberts starts and ends with Max Abmas, who is one of the best scorers in the NCAA. His list of accolades is long, and that's because he finished last season with the fifth most points per game (22.8) in the entire country. On the heels of his senior season, he has been named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List, the NABC Preseason Player of the Year Watch List, and was named the Summit League's Preseason Player of the Year. Stopping him is a focal point of every team, and the Gaels top-10 defense from one season ago will be the first test for Abmas in the new year.
 
Last season, the Golden Eagles went 19-12 and finished Summit League play with a record of 12-6, good for third-best in the league. They fell in the semifinals of the conference tournament, but they made the NCAA Sweet 16 one season prior, where they became darlings of the NCAA Tournament as the second No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16. Their offense was potent last season, averaging 83.3 points per game, and they made the fifth-most three-pointers in the country. Beyond Abmas, however, they only had one player average over 10 points per game (Issac McBride).
 
PREGAME PARTIES
There's no better place to gear up for a game than on our campus!
 
Before every home game, enjoy a Pregame Party on the newly-renovated terrace and turf lawn in front of UCU Pavilion. Festivities start 2 hours before tip-off. Fans of all ages will enjoy food and drink sales, including beer and wine. Play yard games and relax in the red and blue adirondack lawn chairs.  
 
Select games will host elevated FanFests with a DJ, photo booth, bounce houses, and additional offerings, including: 
 

• 11/7 vs. Oral Roberts (Home opener)
• 11/19 vs. Hofstra (Homecoming)
• 2/4 vs. Gonzaga (Bulldog Roast)

At game time, you're just steps away from the best college hoops environment in California.
Also, The Pub is back! The 1928 Pub is open on gamedays starting two hours before tip-off and is located at Cassin Student Union, next to Dryden Hall. For more information, click HERE.
 
In addition to the Pavilion Plaza festivities, there will be a Student Pregame Tailgate Party happening at the Soda Center, starting at 4:30 pm. The first 300 students will receive an SMC x UCU Bucket Hat, and the first 200 students will get free food.
 
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM
All Saint Mary's Men's Basketball gameday programs will be virtual during the 2022-23 season, and the first edition can be found HERE. In it, fans will find a season preview for the Gaels, player profiles, and information about the first five opponents on the opening homestand.
 
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.