Busting Brackets
Fansided

WCC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Connor Gilbert

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars applauds his players as he calls in a play during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 26, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars applauds his players as he calls in a play during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 26, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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Saint Mary's Basketball
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: Jordan Ford #3 and Tommy Kuhse #12 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Saint Mary’s

Last season: 26-8 (11-5), 3rd place

Just as GU and BYU both have made moves to solidify their chances for next year, Saint Mary’s will bring in four freshmen and a transfer to bolster their depth after losing Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts. Ford was the Gaels’ best scorer and stabilized the offense with his productivity, and Fitts was a steady competitor in any post matchup he got.

Fitts’ departure for the NBA is unfortunate — but 7’4” Utah transfer center Matt Van Komen could be a help in the post if he becomes eligible to play next year, and coach Randy Bennett’s system has hardly struggled with generating offense even after the departures of crucial guards like Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills in the past. An incoming three-man freshmen class comprised of Jabe Mullins (No. 1 in Washington per 247Sports) and two sizeable three-stars in Judah Brown (PF, 6’7”) and Mitchell Saxen (C, 6’10”) is also one of the best Saint Mary’s has had recently.

Even then, Saint Mary’s hasn’t kept up well in the arms race at the top of the league. BYU and GU both made moves to solidify their rosters in case of any changes, but the Gaels will have to depend on a lot of unproven assets. They should easily retain their grip on third, but that’s not something Bennett will be satisfied with after years of battling with Gonzaga for the conference crown.