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2023 Bracketology: UMass, Virginia among teams looking to build on momentum

By Jason Burgess

Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Mary's Gaels head coach Randy Bennett watches game action against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Mary's Gaels head coach Randy Bennett watches game action against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saint Mary’s Gaels center Mitchell Saxen Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Saint Mary’s Gaels center Mitchell Saxen Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Saint Mary’s 6-1

I’m not sure there is a team in the country that has gotten off to a better defensive start than the Saint Mary’s Gaels. Through seven games they have held their opponents to 55.9 points per game on 37.5% shooting. They rank No. 7th in defensive efficiency and are a top-nine team in two-point defense. Offensively they haven’t been bad either scoring 72 per game with four guys in double figures led by Mitchell Saxen who is scorching the nets at a 56% clip from the field.

Entering this week the 6-1 Gaels are rolling with matchups against New Mexico and a big one against No. 3 Houston on Saturday. Defensively, the Gaels have done it on the backs of a smothering defense that has turned over their opponents 14 times per game and is forcing them to shoot under 40%.

Randy Bennett’s week begins against 6-0 New Mexico on Wednesday and finishes in Fort Worth, Texas for a neutral-site battle against the No. 2 Houston Cougars. The game against New Mexico will be key, with the Lobos coming off three-straight wins in their Lobo Classic. Richard Pitino’s Lobos love to get up and down and have already hit 75 points or more in every game this season, they also take good care of the basketball as one of the best teams in the country in turnover percentage.

The Gaels will be looking to make a statement against Houston on Saturday, but keeping the defensive clamps on New Mexico earlier in the week will be equally important.

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