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Saint Mary’s Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Gaels

By Brayley Crowe

FULLERTON, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Randy Bennett of the St. Mary's Gaels talks to his team during a time out in the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Titan Gym on November 23, 2017 in Fullerton, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
FULLERTON, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Randy Bennett of the St. Mary's Gaels talks to his team during a time out in the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Titan Gym on November 23, 2017 in Fullerton, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Overview for 2018-19

This new squad will certainly be a tough test for Randy Bennett. The long-established system of Landale and Hermanson has run its course and now it is time for new faces to emerge for the Gaels. However, there is certainly talent on this team, and once that talent begins to click, this Saint Mary’s squad could be one to remember. With Jordan Ford leading the team at the guard position, mixed with the athletic abilities of the Gaels’ two big men, Menzies and Fitts, this team has a solid base.

While the inexperience between the three stars of this team may be a small setback, Bennett’s experience and success with some very talented players from all positions (Matthew Dellavedova, Omar Samhan and of course Landale) should help blend the play together. Menzies’ three years of playing as the star of his team for Seattle, mixed with Ford’s comfortability with the Gaels’ program will make these two the leaders Bennett looks to.

But Bennett isn’t just looking for a season of progress, he is searching for another NCAA Tournament appearance, and perhaps more. The lingering issue for several previous Saint Mary’s teams in the past has been the subpar schedule, but this season seems to be different. With appearances in two headlining classics, plus its appearance in the MGM Resorts Main Event, as well as matchups with several other respectable opponents, the ceiling for the Gaels’ strength of schedule is certainly something to watch for.

Next. Preseason WCC Rankings for 2018-19. dark

With powerhouse Gonzaga, a strong BYU team as always, and emerging squads in San Diego and San Francisco, the West Coast Conference games could give Saint Mary’s some potential resume boosting wins as well. Overall, the Gaels have a lot of questions to answer without some of their key players from the last season. Some new faces and some established in Moraga will be the answers fans look to, and with several quality opponents awaiting them, the time for Saint Mary’s to prove themselves is here.