NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season

14. Saint Mary’s Gaels

The Gaels took an expected step back after losing stars Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts in the year prior, going under .500 in WCC play this past season. It didn’t help that the team suffered several key injuries but former walk-on Tommy Kuhse ending up as the team’s most consistent scorer showed the lack of offensive firepower they had overall.

The good news is that Kuhse is back (with a scholarship), giving Saint Mary’s a veteran leader at the point guard position. And essentially the entire rotation is back as well, including Logan Johnson, who proved to be a bright spot for the team in the ladder part of the season. The 6’2 guard was in double figures in 10 straight games toward the end, including 25 points against LMU in the WCC Tournament.

If Johnson can emerge as the Gaels’ go-to scorer in games, that puts them back into contention in the WCC. Yet they’ll need some three-point shooting as well, which is where a healthy Alex Ducas and Jabe Mullins comes in. The frontcourt is in solid shape as well, with center Matthias Tass and forward Daniel Fotu back. They’re good defenders and capable scorers, although the offense will go through the guards once again.

Despite having offensive issues, Saint Mary’s was still one of the better defensive units in NCAA Basketball and their ultra-slow pace will help mask their scoring concerns. But again, they’ll need the second-half version of Logan Johnson to come through in order to be a top-tier team in a loaded WCC this season.