NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

10. Saint Mary’s Gaels

2021-22 record: 26-8 (12-3 in WCC)

It didn’t seem possible that Tommy Kuhse could be the best player on an NCAA Tournament team but the former walk-on developed into an All-WCC player and leading scorer and passer. He’s gone, along with key big man Matthias Tass and forward Dan Fotu.

The one guard that is back is Logan Johnson. He struggled at first when he transferred over from Cincinnati but really emerged this past season as a true No. 1 scoring threat, including back-to-back 20-point games against Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament and Indiana in the play-in game of the NCAA Tournament.

Returners Johnson and Alex Ducas (10.3 ppg on 39% three-point shooting) will also have a breakout sophomore candidate in Augustas Marciulionis, who started 14 games but definitely had his ups and downs as a freshman. Four-star freshman Aidan Mahaney is another guard to watch as they try to replace Kuhse.

The frontcourt had more departures and will need big man Mitchell Saxen to take a big leap as a projected starter. Harvard transfer and 6’8 forward Mason Forbes can be plugged in at the four-spot, while glue-guy Kyle Bowen also adds depth.

Saint Mary’s will remain a stout defense and its style of play will continue to frustrate opponents. As long as the offensive efficiency remains high with Johnson as the lead guard, they’ll once again be the biggest threat to Gonzaga in league play.