Saint Mary’s Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Gaels

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 13 – New Mexico State

Nov. 23 – Harvard (Wooden Legacy)

Dec. 2 – @ California

Dec. 19 – Dayton

Dec. 22 – UNC Asheville

Once again, Randy Bennett has put together a non-conference schedule with very little travel and very few top-tier teams. The Gaels’ two true home games are against SJSU and Cal, both bottom-tier teams in their conference, and Bennett avoided playing a tough road game at Grand Canyon. Outside of the Wooden Legacy, the toughest game for the Gaels appears to be a home game against the Dayton Flyers. Saint Mary’s does not have much room for error with this year’s schedule, as multiple losses could doom their chances for an at-large bid.

Key Conference Games

Dec. 30 – @ BYU

Jan. 18 – @ Gonzaga

Jan. 25 – BYU

Feb. 10 – Gonzaga

Feb. 15 – @ San Francisco

This conference schedule does not do any favors for the Gaels, as they will have to play Gonzaga after the Kennel Club is back on campus. Outside of predictably tough games against the Zags, the games against BYU and San Francisco will also be good tests for this experienced Gaels team. While the Gaels do play in Provo during the break, Marriott is a tough place to play regardless of the number of students there.